Get Your PSA Level Checked

Here is an easy to understand overview of what PSA is.

The Prostate Specific Antigen is a protein that is only manufactured in the prostate gland. Prostate cells leak PSA into the blood stream and its level can be measured in a simple blood test. Although prostate cancer cells contain less PSA than healthy prostate cells, they tend to leak more of their PSA into the bloodstream. An annual PSA test is the best way to monitor what your levels are, and to see if they are rising and at what rate.

If you have a history of prostate cancer in your family – a sibling, father, grandfather, uncles – your risk of getting prostate cancer is greater than normal and you need to start your PSA testing earlier than other guys, by age 40.

For guys 50 and older, the PSA test should be an annual item on your health check list no matter what your family history. The first test you have will provide a base line to which future tests can be compared.

The PSA blood test is easy and inexpensive.

Some tips: don’t ejaculate or even “edge” around with masturbation for at least 48 hrs prior to the blood draw or your PSA level will be higher than it normally runs.

If you suspect you have a prostate or urethral infection, tell your doctor prior to the blood draw. These conditions result in higher than normal PSA levels.

Make sure you have the blood draw prior to any digital rectal exam your doctor may wish to perform as part of your physical exam. Digital agitation of the prostate increases PSA blood levels.

Don’t panic if you do come up with a higher than normal reading. My own PSA was “red flag” high a year ago. Today it is below normal for my age group.

Also, read Sunny’s fine review of prostate and testicular cancer here:

Cancer Warning signs

Thanks for the reminder and good counsel, avocet. I’m derelict myself in taking care of these matters. I’ve only had my PSA level checked once and that was two years ago. That was also the time of my one and only physical exam in nearly 25 years. I need to find a good internist, I guess. Any referrals?

Peforeal

A good internist is a wonderful thing to find. And not just someone who is well-educated from a medical point of view. We have to be able to talk with these people, freely and easily. Some of these areas they want to check out on/in us are very private. They need to be trained to make us comfortable enough to speak frankly about our problems.

Peforeal, are you serious? 25 years??

I don’t think he’s kidding, folks. When my urologist and I talked the other day (he reporting back my PSA results) he told me that many men avoid these tests because they are afraid they will get bad news. The reality is that the news they eventually get - having avoided basic health care - is often much worse than had they tracked things along earlier.

Our Sunny is a fine example of paying attention to body business. She is alive and well today because she stopped cervical cancer 20 yrs ago before it stopped her.

Thanks Avocet, yes I am alive today because I knew something was wrong 20 years ago.

Along with having the PSA checked, also do monthly testicular exams, feeling for unusual lumps and bumps that aren’t suppose to be there. I do a self exam monthly, I don’t want it coming back, EVER!

One more thing, Avocet is right, guys and gals procrastinate on getting tests done for fear of bad news. The truth of the matter is, the longer you wait, the greater the chance is that the news will be bad. Get it done, keep it checked, we only live once.

>Along with having the PSA checked, also do monthly testicular exams, feeling for unusual lumps and bumps that aren’t suppose to be there.

Good advice. Nut cancer is one of the most common cancers in young guys, though it can happen at any age.

Avocet8,

Yes, I’m serious. Prior to two years ago, my last physical was right before I got married. Obviously, I need to get my act together.

Peforeal

This is important, so I bumped it up.