What Is It?
PSA screening, also known as Prostate-Specific Ag Diagnostic, S is a simple blood test used to screen for the presence of a protein produced by the prostate gland. Blood level PSA is often elevated in men with prostate cancer. Elevated levels of PSA are also associated with non-cancerous conditions of the prostate such as prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH- or enlarged prostate).
Who Is It For?
PSA screening is recommended annually for all men over the age of 50. Your physician may recommend earlier or more frequent testing if you have factors for higher risk of prostate cancer such as:
- African-American heritage
- A father or brother who had/has prostate cancer
- Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC)- men with HBOC have an increased risk of developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer
Why Is It Important?
As with all cancers, early detection is key to increased rates of survival. Using PSA screening to detect and monitor prostate health can help your physician avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment when tumors are not life threatening. PSA screening can be used to measure response to treatments and as an early indicator of recurrence. In short, PSA screening can help your doctor monitor your prostate health and only introduce interventions when necessary.
CALGARY - FUTURE SMILES DENTURE CLINIC (NORTH)
