Age 40 for men with more than one first-degree relative (son, brother, or father) who had prostate cancer before age 65. Age 45 for men with a single first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before age 65. Age 45 for African American men due to carrying a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Slow or weak urine streams Difficulty urinating Frequent urination at night Burning urination Blood in your urine Difficulty getting an erection Painful ejaculation Lower back pain

Your doctor may order a trans rectal ultrasound (TRUS) to check for suspicious tissues inside of your rectum. A biopsy may also be necessary to confirm or rule out cancer.

PSA levels can cause false positive or false negative results. The Unites States Preventive Task Force advises against prostate screening with PSA levels due to these risks. [7] X Research source Ejaculation (recent sexual activity), prostate infection, digital rectal examination, and bike riding (due to pressure on the prostate) can cause elevations of PSA. Those without prostate symptoms and elevated PSA may require repeat testing after two days. Repeat elevated PSA levels may warrant a DRE and/or biopsy of the prostate (needle inserted to take a piece of the prostate tissue for analysis) if symptoms are present. Men with a PSA of less than 2. 5 ng/mL may only need to be retested every two years whereas screening should be done yearly if your PSA level is 2. 5 ng/mL or higher. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Cancer Society Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support Go to source

Possible complications include bleeding due to nail punctures of cysts or other masses. This can lead to infection or other complications, which you cannot handle at home and would require a trip to your doctor regardless. In addition, if your self exam is abnormal and you seek advice from your doctor, he will most likely repeat the exam to confirm the results anyway.

Ensure you have closely trimmed fingernails before washing your hands and putting on the glove. Even through the latex, you can accidentally scrape the area or puncture a cyst or other mass.

Use gentle pressure.