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Screening Test for Prostate Cancer – Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA)

Screening Test for Prostate Cancer – Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA)

Posted By HealthcareOnTime Team Posted on 2022-10-04

Are you aware of the small gland in men that helps produce semen? It's called the prostate and is situated right below the bladder and before the rectum. As men grow older, the size of the prostate enlarges. However, if it becomes too large, the prostate can cause several health issues, including prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is quite common in most men and is mostly seen for reasons like the following:

If you are 50 years or older
If you have a family history of suffering from prostate cancer
If you consistently indulge in a high-fat diet

If you fall into either of the three factors listed above, you must get the prostate test done to minimize the risk of prostate health issues.

Prostate-Antigen Test: Why do you need it, Benefits, Limitations, and More

A prostate-specific antigen test or PSA test is a screening examination that helps determine prostate cancer. It can rule out the exact amount of PSA in your bloodstream as it results from cancerous and non-cancerous tissues in the prostate region.

If you have high levels of PSA, it is a clear indication of prostate cancer. Detecting early prostate cancer symptoms can help avoid death due to cancer. However, it is important to understand that high levels of PSA are not limited to cancerous cells alone. Several factors lead to PSA level fluctuation in your body, like age, prostate gland size, infection, etc.

If you want to understand the exact condition of your prostate, ask your doctor to recommend getting a digital rectal exam (DRE) done instead.

PSA Test: Procedure, Cost, and Test Results

To conduct a prostate antigen test, your doctor will lubricate the glove and insert the gloved finger into your rectum, which helps them reach your prostate and examine if it's grown large or has any lumps around it.

Additionally, your doctor might ask for a urine and blood test to check PSA levels in the body.

Though there's no specific normal or abnormal level of PSA in the blood, if your doctor feels the results are on the higher end, they might recommend you to a urologist for further treatment.

If you're wondering how expensive a PSA test cost can get? It turns out it's affordable and can be conducted with ease.

Prostate Antigen Test: Why Trust HealthcareOnTime for It?

With 24x7 booking facilities and diagnostic centers spread across India, HealthcareOnTime is your ideal pathology laboratory to complete a PSA test. The PSA test price is affordable and can be clubbed with other tests to reduce the overall costs.

You can get a PSA test done easily by walking into your nearest HealthcareOnTime diagnostic center or from the comfort of your house. All our professionals are trained and have years of experience to make you feel comfortable and provide an accurate diagnosis.

HealthcareonTime is also NABL/ISO-accredited making it a top-notch diagnostic laboratory for you and your family. So, book your PSA test appointment and get yourself tested today!

FAQs on Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA)

A high or dangerous PSA level typically refers to a level above 4 ng/mL. However, it's important to note that the definition of a "high" PSA level varies for every individual based on age, overall health, and family history of prostate cancer. You must always consult with a healthcare professional for a personalized assessment of the results.

The normal range of PSA levels in the blood can vary depending on a person's age. It is less than 2.5 ng/mL (for those under 40 and between 40-49), less than 3.5 ng/mL (ages 50-59), less than 4.5 ng/mL (ages 60-69), and less than 6.5 ng/mL (ages 70 or older.

The test procedure for PSA is simple and relatively non-invasive. It is similar to getting a regular blood test done; a healthcare professional will first clean the area (usually in the arms) and use a small needle to draw out a sample of blood.

PSA levels can be affected by many factors, including the size of a man's prostate, sexual activity, certain medications, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, age, race, and ethnicity.

A PSA test, or prostate-specific antigen test, measures the level of PSA in a man's blood. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland, and elevated levels can indicate prostate cancer or other conditions that affect the prostate. If your PSA level is higher than usual, your doctor may recommend additional tests, such as a digital rectal exam or prostate biopsy. It can help determine the cause of the elevated PSA level and whether or not cancer is present.

There is generally no specific diet or fasting requirement for a PSA test, meaning you can eat before the test. The test involves drawing a small blood sample from a vein in your arm, which gets done regardless of what you have or have not eaten.

If a PSA test shows that the level of PSA in your blood is higher than normal, it may indicate prostate cancer or another condition affecting the prostate. However, it's important to note that an elevated PSA level does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. Other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), can also cause a high PSA level.

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