Some prostrate cancer questions one would like to know

Some prostrate cancer questions one would like to know

As for PSA tests, which measure prostrate-specific antigen, an enzyme made in the prostrate- the test isn’t perfect. High levels can mean cancer or not. The test can’t tell. It also can’t distinguish between aggressive cancers & slow growing tumors, which one may not even notice.

1)      Are you at high risk for prostrate cancer?

Start annual PSA tests early. Begin at 45 of your father or brother has had prostrate cancer, especially before 50, that doubles your risk. Smoking & excess weight also up your odds.

2)      Are you at average risk? Start PSA tests at 50. keep them up until your physical age- your body’s real age , not its calendar age, is 65. ( to find out your Real Age, go to www. Real-Age.com). the younger & healthier you’re, the longer you’d be screened for prostrate cancer.

3)      Do you need an annual, manual check?  A yearly rubber glove exam of your prostrate, plus a digital rectal exam, can catch the 25% of problems a PSA test misses. If something unusual turns up, get a PSA test.

4)      What if your PSA is high? Take a breath. Only 18-30% of high PSAs actually mean prostrate cancer. First, get a retest. An infection or even a roll in the hay shortly beforehand could have temporarily boosted PSA level. Also ask about, “ per cent free” PSA, a type that floats around in your blood, unattached to other molecules. The more you’ve, the lower your cancer risk.