The Cancer Test Every Man Over 50 Should Ask About

A PSA test measures the level of Prostate specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by your prostatic gland, in a sample of your blood. PSA levels can increase due to prostate cancer or other conditions related to prostate, such as prostate infection or extended prostate.

Prostate cancer is the second cause of cancer death in men in the world. A health care provider may recommend a PSA test To detect or monitor prostate cancer In people who have a higher risk of prostate cancer.

You can be more at risk of prostate cancer according to your:

• Age: The risk increases after the age of 50.
• Family history: Your risk is higher if a parent has had prostate cancer.
• Race: Black men have a higher risk of prostate cancer, including at a younger age.

Your supplier may also recommend the test if you have symptoms such as:

• Painful urination
• Frequent urination
• Blood in your urine or sperm
• Loss of bladder control
• Lower back pain

You may need to prepare for the test in several ways. Your health professional may recommend avoiding certain things that may interfere with your test results by modifying your specific antigen levels of the prostate.

Things to avoid for 24 to 48 hours may include::

• Sexual activities, including masturbation
• Vigorous exercises such as bicycle
• Some drugs

Certain drugs, such as Propecia (Finasteride) or Avodart (dutasteride), can reduce your PSA levels. Talk to your doctor to know if you should stop taking these drugs or other medications before your test. Do not stop taking medication without the advice of your doctor.

Wear comfortable and loose clothes to the test so that you can easily expose your arm for blood drawing. Remember to bring a family member or a friend to the test, especially if the blood tests make you anxious.

If you have health insurance, plan to talk to your insurer to understand if it will cover the cost of the test.

The PSA test is to pull a blood sample from a vein in your arm. The process usually takes less than five minutes.

During the test

Your doctor or a phlebotomist (a blood sample specialist) may ask you to sit down or lie down comfortably. Then the blood drawing process implies these steps:

• The health care provider cleans the area with an antiseptic solution (germ killers).
• They put an elastic band on the upper hand to help your vein swell with blood.
• They insert a needle in a vein to collect blood in a bottle or a tight -tight tube attached to the needle.
• They remove the needle and strip of your arm, then apply a cotton or bandage on the needle site.

After the test

You can usually resume your daily activities immediately after the test. Remember to ask someone to get home if you tend to feel dizzy or low after blood samples.

A PSA test is very sure. You may experience slight pain or temporary bruises on the needle site.

Rarely, some people have complications, including:

• Excessive bleeding on the Aiguille site
• Infection on the needle site
• Cause damage
• Pain on the Aiguille website

Your results may be available during the test day. Many laboratories now have an online portal where you can check your results. Laboratories can also send the results directly to your doctor. You can call or visit your doctor to discuss the results and all the next steps.

Interpret your results

PSA levels are measured in units called nanograms by milliliter (ng / ml). In general, A PSA level greater than 4.0 is considered to be higher than normal. However, PSA levels can increase with age, so that doctors can use a higher cut -out level if you are older and a lower cut if you are younger.

A The higher than normal PSA level can suggest prostate cancer or other prostate conditions, but it is not enough to make a diagnosis. Your supplier may recommend another test in six to eight weeks to confirm the initial observation, especially if you do not have symptoms.

After that, they can recommend additional tests to help conduct a diagnosis, such as:

• Digital rectal exam (DRE): Your supplier can physically check your prostate by inserting a gloved and lubricated finger in your rectum.
• Urine tests: A sample of your urine can show signs of infection that could explain the high levels of PSA.
• Prostate biopsy: Your doctor can take small tissue samples from your prostatic gland and look at them under a microscope for cancer cells. This minor surgery is the only way to diagnose prostate cancer.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI helps to provide detailed images of your prostate and can show lumps or other anomalies.

A PSA test measures the specific level of prostate antigen (PSA) in your blood. Higher than normal PSA levels can suggest prostate cancer, which has prompted your doctor to carry out other tests. Tests may include prostate biopsy, minor surgery that can help diagnose prostate cancer.