Prostate Cancer Info

When it comes to the prostate blood test, here's what every man should know. The prevalence of prostate cancer among men means that you should get a regular blood test. The results of the test are not a definite diagnosis. In fact, they can vary from person to person. This article provides some basic information about the prostate blood test and should give you a better understanding of what to expect from your doctor.

We don't know much about the causes of prostate cancer, but we do know quite a bit about who is at risk. The most significant risk factor for prostate cancer is age. As men pass the 50 mark, their risk for prostate cancer goes way up. However, you should also know that prostate cancer has been found in men in their 30s. So it definitely makes sense to get a regular screening test. It's known as the PSA or prostate specific antigen test. By monitoring the levels of PSA in your blood, you can get early warning of any prostate problems.

What does it mean when you have an elevated PSA? It doesn't always mean that you have prostate cancer. A high PSA reading does mean that it's time to run more tests to see what's going on. Developing prostate cancer can and does cause your PSA reading to be out of range. But so can an enlarged prostate, a prostate infection or even other infections. So if your blood test shows an abnormally high PSA, you can count on the doctor calling you in for additional tests.

A high PSA for you might not be considered high for the next guy. Since there are ranges of "good" PSA numbers, you might expect that readings mean the same thing for everybody. In reality, the level of PSA in the bloodstream varies from person to person. It can also be affected by certain kinds of activity. The best solution is to track your PSA readings over time. Then your doctor can identify trends and determine when a number is "too high" for you.

Now you know the basics of the prostate blood test. Regular tests are a good idea for every man, especially past age 30, and definitely above age 50. A high PSA number doesn't necessarily mean prostate cancer is present--more tests will be required. Since PSA levels are different for all of us, keeping track of trends is the best course of action. If you haven't had a PSA prostate blood test yet, you should ask for one at your next physical.

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