The actual diagnosis of Prostate Cancer is made by way of biopsy, where tissue samples are taken during a procedure called a transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUS).

During the procedure, a small ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum and a series of pictures and measurements will be taken and the volume of your prostate will be calculated. A fine biopsy needle is then loaded through the ultrasound probe to take multiple specimens of prostate tissue. Normally 12 biopsies will be taken unless there are special circumstances in which case more biopsies will be taken, before being sent to a pathologist for assessment.