Testing is key and should not be delayed… diagnoses could be much more DISTURBING
“I should really get tested.” We hear that all the time. You may want to delay or ignore but should not, especially if you are at elevated risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of PSA in the blood. PSA is a protein made by prostate cells. The prostate is part of the male reproductive and urinary systems. PSA is mostly found in semen, which is also made in the prostate, but small amounts of PSA can also be found in the blood. Higher levels of PSA in the blood can be caused by prostate cancer, among other things.
A PSA test may be done to:
- help find prostate cancer early in those who don't have any signs or symptoms of the disease
- check for cancer in those who have signs or symptoms of prostate cancer
- plan treatment for prostate cancer
- monitor those with prostate cancer who are being treated with active surveillance
- find out if prostate cancer treatments are working
- find out if prostate cancer has come back (recurred) after treatment
A PSA test is often used together with a digital rectal exam (DRE) to increase the chance of finding prostate cancer early when it is easier to treat. Using these tests together is better than using either test alone.
If you are at average risk of developing prostate cancer, consider testing from age 50. If you are at high risk of developing prostate cancer, consider testing from age 45. Black men (including men of African or Caribbean ancestry) and those with a family history of prostate cancer are considered to be at high risk.
A PSA test can find prostate cancer early, before it grows large or spreads outside of the prostate. Finding cancer early can mean that treatments will be more successful.
PSA testing has the following limitations.
A false-positive result on a PSA test suggests that you might have prostate cancer when you actually don't. This happens quite often with PSA testing and only about 1 in 4 abnormal results is due to cancer. A false-positive result can lead to unnecessary testing that is more invasive, such as repeated biopsies. It can also cause you and your family unnecessary anxiety and distress.
A false-negative result means that the test shows that the PSA level is normal even though prostate cancer is present. Not all prostate cancers cause a high PSA level. PSA testing misses about 15% of prostate cancers.
Overdiagnosis means diagnosing prostate cancer that would never pose a serious threat to your health. Overdiagnosis can lead to having treatments that aren't necessary (called overtreatment). Research shows that 23% to 42% of prostate cancers that are found with PSA testing may never need to be treated. But most men diagnosed with prostate cancer still choose to have treatment. Unnecessary testing and treatment put you at risk for side effects, including erectile dysfunction and loss of bladder control (called urinary incontinence).
Although PSA testing may find prostate cancer early, research has shown that it still may not reduce the chance of dying from prostate cancer.
The above information is shared from website of the Canadian Cancer Society. Click the button below to learn more.
