Free cancer screening event

[pbocka]

It's my first time attending such an event. I am signed up for prostate exam ,a head to foot skin exam and head and neck skin exam . I know I need the head to foot as a had a cyst removed surgically 2 years ago . I guess I am a bit nervous and concerns .can you offer any advice and reassurance.

[Norwich1 Moderator]

You would generally be able to deal with a malignancy and obtain a cure if it is found earlier. That is a great win.

[Omniscient1]

Better to know than not. Normally a PSA test using a blood sample is taken, to accomplish a prostate cancer test. So by prostate exam do you mean a camera? This is uncomfortable (and over quickly) but nothing more.

[pbocka in reply to Omniscient1]

Wasn't stated over the phone when I scheduled

[Omniscient1 in reply to pbocka]

One to google in your neck of the woods. Thinking back they can also do a "digital examination" - which is 'Dr speak' for a finger up the behind, this also is uncomfortable as you'd expect, but no great shakes. This can only detect enlarged prostates, not whether its cancerous or not.

[pbocka in reply to Omniscient1]

Figure as much

[Norwich1 Moderator in reply to pbocka]

The DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) also can determine how hard the prostate is and whether there are any lumps.

[pbocka in reply to Norwich1]

That helps some