Prostate cancer has become a leading cause of concern among worldwide population. According to healthcare reports, millions of men fall prey to this fatal disease every year. Prostate cancer in men develops due to unusual multiplication of malignant cells in prostate gland. This condition may result in life-threatening complications and even death if not treated on time.
What is PSA Test?
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a specialized blood test which is mostly performed to check the presence of prostate cancer in men. It measures the level of PSA protein to determine whether the patient’s prostate gland is in a healthy condition or not. An elevated level of PSA is usually linked with many dreadful conditions including prostate cancer.
What Happens When One Have A High PSA Level?
Occurrence of prostate cancer in men has doubled up in past few years. High PSA levels could be a warning sign of prostate cancer. PSA level in men should not exceed more than 4.0 ng/mL. It has been observed that changes of more than 2.0 ng/mL usually indicate an underlying prostate cancer.
What May Cause High PSA Levels Besides Prostate Cancer?
Besides prostate cancer, an elevated level of PSA may reveal the following diseases and conditions.
- Sexual Activity - Ejaculation during sexual activity or merely masturbation before a PSA test can slightly increase PSA levels of patients. This is the reason why surgeons advise patients to refrain from any kind of sexual activity before undergoing PSA screening test for prostate cancer. It will help in diagnosing the exact condition of patient.
- Benign Prostate Enlargement (BPE) - Enlargement of prostate is clinically referred to as BPE. This is a non-cancerous condition which is mostly observed in men above 55 years of age. Patients with an enlarged prostate condition may also have high PSA levels.
- Prostatitis - Prostatitis is often described as a condition which develops due to severe inflammation and swelling of prostate gland. Definite cause of prostatitis is still a topic of research but, it is linked with increased level of PSA in men.
- Age - Age factor plays an important role in the production of PSA. Several studies show that PSA levels in men increase as they age.
- Trauma To The Prostate Gland - In some instances, physical trauma to the prostate gland while performing tasks like riding a cycle, prostate biopsy evaluation, or a rectum examination can considerably elevate the level of PSA in men. However, PSA level is increased temporarily and may get normal within a few days.
When Should One Have Their PSA Levels Tested?
Men should get involved in regular health check-ups once they cross 50 years of age. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should get their PSA level tested frequently. Majority of surgeons recommend a PSA screening for the patients in between 50 – 65 years of age to identify prostate cancer. Early detection and prostate cancer treatment can help save many lives.
One should consult a well-qualified and experienced oncologist to understand their current medical status. Many medical reports suggest that men leading an active lifestyle and following a healthy routine diet are at lesser risk of getting prostate cancer.
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