Don’t Ignore Your Yearly PSA Test, it Could Save Your Life Someday - Benefits of Taking the PSA Test
Posted on August 26, 2008
The prostate-specific antigen test is normally used by doctors in order to test the protein that the prostate gland produces in its cells. This protein is usually referred to as prostate-specific antigen or PSA. This test is a quick procedure only involving a doctor taking a sample of your blood in order to measure the amount of PSA in a laboratory.
Although simple in nature, this test can be life saving because the PSA produced within your body can be used to identify diseases. Consider it an early detection or warning device. Chemicals such as this are sometimes called tumor markers or biological markers. When a test is run, the doctor is looking for a low level of PSA in your blood. The reasoning behind this is based on the fact that prostate cancer or benign conditions have been proven to increase your body’s level of PSA.
Symptoms of benign prostate conditions or problems for most men include and enlargement of the prostate gland (usual referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) or an inflammation of the prostate known as prostatitis. Although there is no concrete evidence to support that either BPH or prostatitis can cause cancer it is still wise to seek medical advice because it could be an early indicator that you may be at risk for developing prostate cancer.
Like many tests in the medical community, your PSA levels are not enough to provide your doctor with the information he or she needs to decide if you suffer from benign prostate conditions or the actual cancer itself. The test merely serves as one indicator that when combined with several other tests to check for prostate cancer can provide a more reliable diagnosis by your doctor. These tests include the digital rectal exam or DRE.
The DRE is not a very popular test among males because it involves the doctor to perform their examination by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum of the patient in order to try and feel through the rectal wall for any abnormal areas or bumps on the prostate gland.
The general advice calls for a PSA test to be taken annually by all males once they reach the age of 40. However, medical coverage such as provided by Medicare usually only provides coverage for a yearly PSA test once a man has reached age 50 or higher.
Just in case you are considering not having a PSA or DRE test performed there are still some risk factors for prostate cancer you can keep an eye out for. They include your age (with men 65 or older falling into a higher risk category), a family history of prostate cancer, your diet (junk food or a high fat diet can increase your risk to develop prostate cancer) and your nationality with African-Americans facing the greatest risk of developing prostate cancer.
Whatever you do, you definitely should consider the benefits behind having a PSA or DRE test performed because failure to do so could cost you your life.
Learn how to reduce your risk for prostate cancer by making sure you can recognize the risk factors for prostate cancer. Visit http://www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com in order to learn more about how to spot the signs of prostate cancer, it could save your life!
Tim_Gorman
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