BPH is the most common prostate problem in men over age Your primary care doctor may be able to tell the difference between BPH and prostate cancer by doing a digital rectal exam , but commonly this will require evaluation by a urologist and further testing, such as a biopsy or imaging studies.
In men, most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and respond well to antibiotics. PSA should return to normal in two to three days. To avoid this type of elevation, doctors will usually draw blood for a person's PSA level before doing a rectal exam. Ask your doctor if you should avoid ejaculation for a few days before a PSA test. Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung and colon cancer , according to the American Cancer Society.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Doctors often recommend PSA testing in men 50 and older. Your doctor may recommend testing your levels at an earlier age if you have known risk factors for prostate cancer, like family history of the disease. If your PSA levels are high and other diagnostic tests also indicate an increased risk for prostate cancer, your doctor will likely recommend a biopsy to confirm a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Ask your doctor about all of the risks associated with biopsy. For some men, holding off on a biopsy and taking a watchful approach is a good option because prostate cancer is generally slow growing. Your doctor will go over all of your options and explain the risks associated with each option. Getting a second medical opinion can help put your mind at ease about your current care or give you a different perspective, which may help you to decide upon your best options for treatment.
If your current doctor recommends PSA testing or further testing or biopsy after a PSA test, make sure to discuss the benefits versus the risks of each procedure being recommended. Take notes or bring someone with you to your appointment to take notes for you.
If you feel the need to discuss this information with another doctor, you absolutely should. Prostate cancer is one of those things.
If it feels medically necessary to have a biopsy or other testing done, make sure to weigh the benefits versus the risks of each test. Prostate cancer, especially when caught early, is treatable. So are many of the other causes of elevated PSA.
A prostate screening can help your doctor find prostate cancer early. It may be more accurate than conventional testing approaches. Improved diagnosis and new medications may lead to…. Find out how proton therapy compares to other treatments for prostate cancer, and what to expect during and after this procedure. Three real-life patients share their stories of living with prostate cancer from diagnosis to treatment. Stage 2 prostate cancer is treatable and survivable. Learn about treatments, symptoms, and outlook for stage 2 prostate cancer.
PSA tests can be a valuable tool to help you get preliminary answers regarding your prostate health. Here are the best at-home PSA tests. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M. Benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH. Prostatitis prostate inflammation.
The test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen PSA in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate, a small gland that sits below the bladder in males. PSA is mostly found in semen, which also is produced in the prostate.
Small amounts of PSA ordinarily circulate in the blood. However, many other conditions, such as an enlarged or inflamed prostate, also can increase PSA levels. Therefore, determining what a high PSA score means can be complicated. There is a lot of conflicting advice about PSA testing. To decide whether to have a PSA test, discuss the issue with your doctor, considering your risk factors and weighing your personal preferences.
Prostate cancer is common, and it is a frequent cause of cancer death. Early detection may be an important tool in getting appropriate and timely treatment. Prostate cancer can cause elevated levels of PSA. However, many noncancerous conditions also can increase the PSA level. The PSA test can detect high levels of PSA in the blood but doesn't provide precise diagnostic information about the condition of the prostate.
The PSA test is only one tool used to screen for early signs of prostate cancer. Another common screening test, usually done in addition to a PSA test, is a digital rectal exam.
In this test, your doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to reach the prostate. By feeling or pressing on the prostate, the doctor may be able to judge whether it has abnormal lumps or hard areas.
Neither the PSA test nor the digital rectal exam provides enough information for your doctor to diagnose prostate cancer. Abnormal results in these tests may lead your doctor to recommend a prostate biopsy.
During a prostate biopsy, samples of prostate tissue are removed for laboratory examination. A diagnosis of cancer is based on the biopsy results. For those who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the PSA test may be used to:. Medical organizations vary in their recommendations about who should — and who shouldn't — get a PSA screening test. Discussing with your doctor the benefits, limitations and potential risks of the PSA test can help you make an informed decision.
A PSA test may help detect prostate cancer at an early stage.
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