What is it?
Prostate -related anti -blood test (PSA test) screening test. It measures the quantity of anti -PSA (PSA) within the human blood.
PSA is a chemical made by prostate. Prostate is a sex gland situated near a person's bladder. It produces fluid in semen.
PSA levels normally increase as human age. But a high level of PSA will be a sign that the prostate gland has cancer.
However, high levels of PSA can be present in other conditions that are unusual. These include prostatitis (prostate inflammation) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an extension of the prostate that affects many older men.
What is used for this
The PSA test is especially used as a screening test for prostate cancer. In men who've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, PSA is measured to find out if the cancer has returned after surgery. It can be used to find out whether cancer is increasing or shrinking after hormones or radiation treatment.
PSA testing will be used to detect the early stages of prostate cancer, before the disease causes any symptom. However, a high level of PSA is usually attributable to high diagnosis or a low -level cancer detection, which doesn't affect how long an individual lives or his way of life.
A high PSA level will be attributable to one other condition, corresponding to benign expanded prostate or swollen prostate gland. Most prostate cancer diagnosed after PSA screening is local cancer, which has little ability to break.
Many old men develop prostate cancer that never spread and never cause any problems. If the screening was not done, most of those harmless cancers wouldn't be detected.
In addition, prostate cancer treatment may also have serious uncomfortable side effects. Screening for all men for prostate cancer and treating potentially harmless cancer can do more damage than ever.
Most expert panels encourage men to make individual decisions on whether or to not get PSA blood tests sometimes. This decision must be made after discussing risks and advantages to healthcare professionals.
A one that decides to undergo prostate cancer screening can think the next: “The PSA test is the best way to protect yourself from dying from prostate cancer. I know that most men with prostate cancer die from something else, but if I could be saved from it, I could be relieved of it. What I need to know about an extraordinary PSA. “
A one that chooses to not screen, thinks like: “No one believes that if the screening really helps, and it can in fact cause unnecessary behavior. I think I will wait until we have a better test that is more likely to be predicted by prostate cancer.”
For men who wish to screen for prostate cancer, the PSA test normally occurs from each to 2 years, which begins on the age of fifty. Men with increased risk of prostate cancer can start screening on the age of 45. African American men and men whose father or brother has been diagnosed with prostate cancer are prone to prostate cancer. In addition to blood tests for the PSA, many doctors also put digital rectal examinations on men.
Generally, PSA testing shouldn't be beneficial in men over 75 years of age, and men who've severe medical problems or other reasons for limited age. The reason for that is that prostate cancer may take a decade or more time to grow from this stage, where it might be addressed to the primary place where it causes symptoms or damage.
Preparation
Ejaculation could cause your PSA shortly to rise. So it's best to avoid sexual intercourse for not less than 48 hours before checking PSA levels.
Blood in your PSA test will probably be taken out of your arm. Wear shirts or sweaters with sleeves that run easily.
If you've gotten recently had prostate cystoscopy or needle biopsy, tell your doctor so which you could schedule your PSA test at one other time. Those exams can increase PSA levels for a couple of weeks. This could make it difficult to translate your PSA test results.
PSA testing mustn't be done for several weeks after treating urinary tract infections.
How has it happened
Blood for the PSA test is frequently pulled from the vein within the bully of your elbow. The area from which blood is taken will likely be cleaned with a sweep of alcohol. A sterile injection will likely be used to drag a couple of ounces of blood right into a tube. The puncture site will likely be covered with a small goose or bandage. Your blood sample will likely be sent to a lab where PSA levels are measured.
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Follow -up
Within per week it's best to receive the results of your PSA test inside per week. If you don't have, call your doctor's office. If your result's unusual, your doctor may recommend an extra diagnostic test or later repeat the blood PSA test. As another, your doctor can send you to the Eurologist for prostate biopsy.
Risks
Pulling your blood is a simple way. The risk could be very low. However, when used as a screening test, PSA has some risks. They include:
- The risk is that your PSA test will likely be unusual and you'll need to check further, corresponding to the prostate biopsy. Keep in mind that three -quarters of advanced PSA levels wouldn't have prostate cancer. However, many men are told that their PSA test is unusual unless the ultimate results can be found.
- There is a risk that screening prostate will result in cancer treatment that could be vital or not, but it might cause serious uncomfortable side effects.
- The risk is that your PSA level will likely be normal even when you've gotten prostate cancer.
Make sure you discuss the advantages of PSA testing and PSA tests together with your doctor before pulling your blood.
Call an expert when
Call your doctor if the injection puncture site continues anemia. Call if the location becomes red, swollen or painful.
Additional information
American Cancer Society (ACS)
https://www.canser.org/
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
https://www.nci.nih.gov/