The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is a blood test that gets regularly performed in men to screen for prostate cancer. Though it is a very useful test, many men are not too happy about the way it feels like a huge pain in the ass compared to the obvious benefits.
The main issue with PSA tests is that the levels can vary widely even among men of the same age group. For example, if a man is 50 years old, he will have a PSA level somewhere between 0.15 and 0.45 ng/ml. If a man is 60 years old, he will have a PSA level between 0.1 and 0.55 ng/ml. Basically, the older you get, the higher the PSA levels will be.
While there is no ‘normal’ level for PSA, many doctors advise men with a family history of prostate cancer to get tested and follow up with treatment or screenings as soon as possible. So if you are at risk for developing prostate cancer, it makes sense to get a PSA test performed as often as possible.
Your PSA levels can increase due to many factors so if you are interpreting the results of a single test, you should not assume that your levels are ‘abnormal’. You should get them checked over time so you can establish a baseline for comparison.
How Does PSA Testing Work?
The prostate gland is one of the glands in your male reproductive system. It lies below your bladder and in front of your tailbone. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds your urethra, the tube that carries urine out of your bladder.
When you are born, your parents will give you a blood test as part of your newborn screening. This will check for problems with the kidneys, lungs, and liver that could be fatal if untreated. Since the prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system, it was determined early on that it would be beneficial for men to test for prostate cancer as well. This is why your PSA levels are checked initially as part of your medical history.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. If it is not treated promptly, it can prove to be fatal. However, thanks to advancements in science and technology, there is now a cure for this disease. Most men will get a prostate cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives. With early detection rates on the rise, it is important to know how to interpret your PSA levels.
When Is A Good Time To Get A PSA Test?
The best time to get a PSA test is as soon as possible. In fact, the sooner you get it, the less pain you will have to endure when it is performed. The hormone changes that take place during puberty, pregnancy, and in men who have had a recent trauma to the prostate can all affect your PSA levels. So if you are planning on having a family, get the test before your wife gives birth or adoptions are finalised. This will prevent any unpleasantries with regard to billing and reimbursement.
Also, if you are a man who has had a recent health scare or trauma to the prostate, get the test as soon as possible to establish a baseline level for comparison.
Some men have experienced temporary increases in their PSA levels after having had a minimally invasive procedure to the prostate such as photoreuphrasis or laser prostatectomy. This increase generally occurs in the first few days or weeks after the procedure and then levels return to normal. However, you should not assume that this is normal. Rather, it may be an indication that you have prostate cancer that was not previously detected.
How Is PSA Testing Done?
Your doctor will start by explaining the procedure to you and why it is necessary. He will then order the appropriate tests to determine your baseline PSA levels and then track any changes that may occur after the test has been administered. Depending on the type of cancer that you have, you may need to get a bone scan, CT scan, or MRI to establish a diagnosis. After establishing your diagnosis, you will have to decide whether you want to continue with curative treatment or if you would prefer to follow a more palliative care approach.
Once you have made this decision, your doctor will be able to give you a plan that will help you to the best of his ability in terms of easing your pain and passing away peacefully. It is a difficult decision to make and something that you will have to think about carefully.
What Should I Look For After My PSA Test?
After you get the results of your PSA test, you will have to wait a few days before you can make any assumptions about what the numbers mean. During this time, your doctor will be able to give you a better understanding of what the numbers mean and how they relate to you as an individual. Also, if you have children or are planning to have children in the near future, you should consult with your doctor so he can confirm that there are no lasting effects of having the test performed. Though all men with prostate cancer will eventually die from the disease, the earlier it is detected, the more treatment options are available that can help extend your life beyond what would be considered normal for your age group.