Virginia Prostate Exam Simulator Aids Prostate Cancer Screening

One of the parts of the physical examination most dreaded by medical students can soon be comfortably practiced without the need for live patients. Researchers at the University of Virginia have developed the Virginia Prostate Exam Simulator, a device that allows students to experience numerous scenarios that simulate prostate cancer. It consists of an anatomical model with four different prostates that can be altered by the inflation and deflation of small water balloons inside. The simulator is capable of simulating more than 100 malignancy scenarios and can be programmed to simulate graded stages of cancerous tumors and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The device has been in development since 2006 with grants from the Academy of Distinguished Educators in the School of Medicine and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.
Press release: New Medical Training Simulator Aids Prostate Cancer Screening…