| The purpose of this article is to remove some of | | | | cancer. |
| the mystery surrounding the PSA test and its use | | | | The Federal Drug Administration approved the |
| in signaling the potential presence of prostate | | | | PSA test to be used with a rectal exam to check |
| cancer. | | | | for any abnormalities in the prostate. The doctor |
| The cells of the prostate gland produce | | | | will insert a gloved finger into the rectum to check |
| prostate-specific antigen. A rectal exam and a | | | | for lumps or areas that seem abnormal. The PSA |
| PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test will help | | | | test is used with this rectal exam to detect |
| detect prostate cancer in men age 50 or over. | | | | cancer in men, especially those who have no |
| The Federal Drug Administration approved the | | | | symptoms. The FDA also approved the test for |
| use of the PSA test to detect prostate cancer | | | | patients who have had prostate cancer to see if |
| and to see if the cancer has recurred. A high PSA | | | | the cancer has come back. |
| level is a sign that cancer is present. There are | | | | The PSA test is highly recommended for men |
| other reasons for a high PSA level and PSA | | | | over the age of 50. If the patient has a high risk |
| screening has some limits. | | | | factor for prostate cancer, the doctor may |
| The PSA test measures the level of protein | | | | recommend PSA testing to start at age 45. |
| produced by the prostate gland. The doctor will | | | | There are some risk factors a man should look at |
| take a blood sample and send it to a laboratory. | | | | if a doctor recommends routine screening. Age is |
| This test is sometimes called a biological marker | | | | the most common risk factor, but if there is a |
| for cancer tumors. Men normally have low levels | | | | family history of prostate cancer you have a |
| of PSA in their blood. If the rate is high, it could | | | | greater chance of having it too. African-American |
| point to prostate cancer but it can mean there | | | | has the largest risk of contacting prostate cancer. |
| are other non-cancer conditions present in the | | | | Native American and Asian men have the lowest |
| prostate. As men get older, prostate cancer and | | | | rates of this disease. Some think this might be |
| other prostate problems become more of a | | | | because a diet that is high in animal fat may |
| problem. Enlarged prostate and prostatitis may | | | | increase the chance of getting prostate cancer. |
| raise the PSA levels in the blood. Neither of these | | | | If a man shows a high PSA level in his blood the |
| problems causes cancer but it is possible for a | | | | doctor may look for other causes before doing |
| man with one of these problems to develop | | | | more screening for prostate cancer. If the |
| prostate cancer. | | | | patients have no other symptoms, you may be |
| The PSA level will not tell the doctor if the patient | | | | advised to watch for any changes in urination |
| has a benign prostate problem or cancer. The | | | | habits and take another PSA test in a few |
| doctor will use the PSA test to decide if there | | | | months. |
| should be a check for other signs of prostate | | | | |