What is PSA?
The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
The PSA test can be used to screen for early prostate cancer. The PSA Blood Test - tests the level of ‘Prostate Specific Antigen’ in the blood. A high reading suggests prostate cancer but could be caused by other conditions, the PSA test is not a foolproof test for prostate cancer.
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Two out of three men with a raised PSA will not
have any cancer cells in their prostate biopsy. -
Up to 1 in 5 men with prostate cancer will have a normal PSA result.
A positive biopsy is needed to confirm cancer.
If prostate cancer is diagnosed, it is not necessarily life-threatening and curative treatment many not be required. Most men diagnosed with early prostate cancer following a positive PSA test would be expected to have slow growing cancer which should not cause any problems during their natural lifespan.
There is controversy over whether PSA testing should be used in routine screening for prostate cancer. Many medical professionals feel it would be wrong to introduce national screening in this country because the effectiveness of screening is unproven and the side effects of treatment can be significant. As a result there is no NHS PSA testing programme because it has not been demonstrated that it leads to an improvement in mortality. However every man over 50 has a right to a PSA test if they request it and in the US many men have regular PSA tests from the age of 50.
Everyman is undertaking further research to find a more efficient, comprehensive test - as an early diagnosis is so important to successful treatment.
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