If your doctor suspects you might have prostate cancer, he or she will ask you about any symptoms you are having, such as any urinary or sexual problems, and how long you have had them. Your doctor may also ask about bone pain, which could be a sign that the cancer might have spread to your bones.
Your doctor will also examine you, including doing a digital rectal exam (DRE), during which a gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum to feel for any bumps or hard areas on the prostate that might be cancer. If you do have cancer, the DRE can sometimes help tell if it is only on one side of the prostate, if it is on both sides, or if it is likely to have spread beyond the prostate to nearby tissues.