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The advantages of the PSA test are:

· It can be done with a simple blood test.

· It is less expensive than other tests, such as ultrasound scans.

· It helps detect small cancers that can't be found with a physical exam.

· If you have prostate cancer, it can be used to help see how well your treatment is working

· It can be used to look for the return of prostate cancer after treatment.

PSA circulates in a man's blood. Normal levels, which increase with age, have been determined. The PSA blood serum test shows whether the amount of PSA in your blood is in the normal range.

It is generally recommended that all men age 50 or older should have prostate cancer screenings every year. You should see your doctor for regular check including a rectal exam. 

If you are at increased risk for prostate cancer (for example, if you have a family history of prostate cancer), your health care provider may recommend starting screening earlier than age 50.

Prostate cancer is of the major killer cancers in men and it has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the world. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths of men in the western world. The prostate cancer death rate is especially high among African American men. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age.

The amount of PSA produced by the prostate usually increases if you have prostate cancer. Checking for high PSA levels helps health care providers diagnose prostate cancer early. It also is a way to check how well treatment of prostate cancer is working.

PSA can be measured with a simple blood test. It is an important test because prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

 

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is an enzyme produced only by the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a doughnut-shaped gland located in a man's pelvis in the small space between the base of the penis and the bladder. The prostate makes the fluid that nourishes sperm and carries sperm during ejaculation. The amount of PSA produced by the prostate gland can be helpful in detecting prostate cancer very early.

Question 1. What is PSA

Question 2. Why is PSA Screening Important?

Question 3. How is the PSA Test Used?

Question 4. What is the advantage of PSA Testing?

Question 5. What is the disadvantage of PSA Screening?

The disadvantages of the PSA test are:

· It does not always detect prostate cancer. The results of the test are in the normal range in 25% to 45% of men with prostate cancer.

· Other prostate conditions, namely prostate infection and prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia), can increase the PSA level.

· Because of these limitations to PSA screening, you should discuss having the test with your health care provider. POMMEDLAB also provides further advice on results for additional small fee.