If you are a male age 50 or over, your primary care physician has probably discussed various cancer screenings with you. One of those is a prostate-specific antigen test which measures the level of PSA in the blood, and can indicate prostate cancer. This simple blood test can be done in your physician’s office and results are usually available within 15 minutes.
Prostate cancer is common, and is a frequent cause of cancer death. Thus the PSA test can be an effective tool for early detection. While elevated PSA levels often indicate cancer, they are sometimes simply the result of inflammation or enlargement of the prostate.
Physicians vary in their recommendations, so it’s important to talk with your doctor about the benefits of being tested, your risks, and your personal preferences. General guidelines suggest PSA testing for the following:
- Men over age 50
- Men of African American descent
- Those with a family history—especially a father or brother with prostate cancer
- Those who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation
- Men who smoke or are obese
PSA tests are also used to judge the effectiveness of treatment in those who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer as well as check for recurring cancer.
The board-certified urologists at Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital understand that early detection and prevention are key to good health. Talk to your physician about the tests and screenings that are right for you.