Men's Health |
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PSA Results Vary From One Test To The NextStudy Author Recommends Two Tests Before Prostate BiopsyA new study shows that results from a common blood test used to look for a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can vary widely from test to test. Men with an abnormally high PSA value on one day may have a normal result on a later retest, authors of the new report say in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). A PSA test is used to help detect prostate cancer. PSA is a protein in blood that increases in men with prostate cancer, as well as those with other, benign prostate conditions. Since PSA levels in blood may vary from day to day, "it's probably prudent to recheck a level" at least six weeks after an earlier test before advising a patient to have a biopsy, says study author Dr. James Eastham, a surgeon at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. PSA Testing Value Still Being DebatedAlthough PSA testing is often encouraged for men over 50, its value as an early-detection tool is not certain, say some experts, and evidence is mixed about whether the exam can prevent deaths from prostate cancer. "Even with flaws, it is a very useful tool," says Dr. Eastham. "You just have to use it in an appropriate way." More than 220,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and nearly 29,000 will die of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). One man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 man in 32 will die of this disease. In addition to an annual physical exam that includes blood, urine, and possibly other lab tests, the ACS suggests consulting your physician about the evaluation of the prostate gland. Tests usually include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and the PSA test. A DRE and a PSA test are usually conducted annually for men over the age of 50. Men in high-risk groups, such as African-Americans, or those with a strong family history of prostate cancer, may be advised by their physicians to be tested at a younger age. About one in five men had a PSA level considered high - over 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood - on at least one reading. Yet on a subsequent test, roughly half of these men had fallen back into the normal range for the protein, suggesting the spike was not a signal of prostate cancer. Second PSA Test RecommendedThe ACS says experts at many major scientific and medical organizations, such as the US Preventive Services Task Force, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are discussing PSA testing and its value. The NCI states that "not all screening tests are helpful, and most have risks such as bleeding or infection due to a biopsy of the prostate for an abnormal PSA blood test. For this reason, scientists at the National Cancer Institute are studying many screening tests to find out how useful they are, and to determine the relative benefits and harms." "A single abnormal PSA level should be viewed with caution," the researchers write in JAMA. Physicians should confirm the reading "before expensive or invasive tests, such as a prostate biopsy, are recommended," the authors said. Always consult your physician for more information. What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?There are usually no specific signs or symptoms of early prostate cancer. The following are the most common symptoms of prostate cancer. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of prostate cancer may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis. Online Resources(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Cancer Institute (NCI) Prostate Cancer: Screening and Testing National Institutes of Health (NIH) US Preventive Services Task Force
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July 2003PSA Results Vary From One Test To The Next PSA Testing Value Still Being Debated What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer? What Are Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer? What Are Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer? In general, all men are at risk for prostate cancer. However, there are specific risk factors that increase the likelihood that certain men will develop the disease, including the following: age diet
obesity having a vasectomy, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or STD (sexually transmitted disease) family history of prostate cancer genetic factors About 9 percent of all prostate cancers and 45 percent of cases in men younger than age 55 can be attributed to a cancer susceptibility gene that is inherited as a dominant trait (from parent to child). Always consult your physician for more information. |
