I agree that prostate cancer is a really big threat to lots of men worldwide, especially lots of the African American men in the United States and all black men all over the world. But we should also be happy with the improvement made in medical science in trying to deal with it. There are now way better ways to detect and diagnose the condition in good time. This article looks at one of the ways to test for the condition - Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test.
You see, if you or a loved one is diagnosed with prostate cancer, then getting the right treatment should be your next line of action. If your doctor carries out series of tests to diagnose your condition, one of these tests will be the Prostate Specific Antigen test. It is a blood test conducted to determine the level of the PSA (protein produced specifically by the prostate gland) in the blood. An elevated level of PSA in the blood could mean that you have prostate cancer.
Here are some 7 important and useful facts you need to know about Prostate Specific Antigen test:
1. If your doctor suspects you are showing sign that indicate cancer of the prostate, then a PSA test could be conducted to diagnose you properly.
2. An abnormal or elevated level of PSA in the blood could mean that you have prostate cancer.
3. Elevated levels of PSA in the blood do not particularly mean that you have prostate cancer. It could be signs of enlarged prostate gland known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
4. A PSA test could be carried out in more than one occasion to properly confirm that your prostate is indeed infected with cancerous cells.
5. In most cases, a combination of PSA test and Digital Rectal Examination is carried out to diagnose your condition.
6. The American Cancer Society has recommended that men who are above the age of 50 years should go for annual PSA test. Also, it is recommended that men who have family history of the condition should start their test before the age 45.
7. Although PSA test is not the ultimate test to diagnose prostate cancer but it certainly is a good step to start getting to know your prostate level and possible extend your life.
Most importantly, you need to discuss with your doctor about PSA test if you are worried about cancer of the Prostate. No matter what you read anywhere, the most important decision you should make is to talk to a doctor, preferable the doctor that has been used to treating you. He or she would know you more and should be open with you when talking about such issues.
You see, if you or a loved one is diagnosed with prostate cancer, then getting the right treatment should be your next line of action. If your doctor carries out series of tests to diagnose your condition, one of these tests will be the Prostate Specific Antigen test. It is a blood test conducted to determine the level of the PSA (protein produced specifically by the prostate gland) in the blood. An elevated level of PSA in the blood could mean that you have prostate cancer.
Here are some 7 important and useful facts you need to know about Prostate Specific Antigen test:
1. If your doctor suspects you are showing sign that indicate cancer of the prostate, then a PSA test could be conducted to diagnose you properly.
2. An abnormal or elevated level of PSA in the blood could mean that you have prostate cancer.
3. Elevated levels of PSA in the blood do not particularly mean that you have prostate cancer. It could be signs of enlarged prostate gland known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
4. A PSA test could be carried out in more than one occasion to properly confirm that your prostate is indeed infected with cancerous cells.
5. In most cases, a combination of PSA test and Digital Rectal Examination is carried out to diagnose your condition.
6. The American Cancer Society has recommended that men who are above the age of 50 years should go for annual PSA test. Also, it is recommended that men who have family history of the condition should start their test before the age 45.
7. Although PSA test is not the ultimate test to diagnose prostate cancer but it certainly is a good step to start getting to know your prostate level and possible extend your life.
Most importantly, you need to discuss with your doctor about PSA test if you are worried about cancer of the Prostate. No matter what you read anywhere, the most important decision you should make is to talk to a doctor, preferable the doctor that has been used to treating you. He or she would know you more and should be open with you when talking about such issues.
