Normal PSA Levels Do Not Always Mean You’re Prostate is Cancer Free

Are you a man with a normal psa level? Do you even know what that is or what it means?

Ok men are you ready to take your prostate exam? And not the dreaded digital rectal exam (which all men over 50 should have annually) but just the general knowledge that all men should know about their prostate since the organ is unique to males. Important knowledge such as; What is a prostate? Where is it located? What does it do? And most importantly how can someone know if it is healthy or not?

Probably most men know the prostate is a walnut sized gland located just below the bladder that produces a secretion to semen that helps protect sperm. Many may also know the prostate wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that allows the expulsion of urine and semen. Hopefully a large percentage of men will also know the dangers of prostate cancer. But if asked whether or not their PSA level is normal there will probably be silence on the part of most men who might not even know what that means let alone how important PSA levels are to their own health.

PSA stands for prostate specific antigen and the level of PSA in the blood stream is a good indicator of the normal or abnormal function of the prostate gland. For example while PSA levels cannot positively confirm anything high levels of PSA can signal the possible existence of prostate cancer and indicate to a doctor that more tests are needed.

Normally PSA in the blood stream will be lower than 4ng/mL. However, since PSA levels increase in men over 50 PSA levels of 4ng/mL to 20ng/mL are considered only moderately elevated. But when PSA reaches levels of 20ng/mL to 30ng/mL there is reason for concern and the need for more tests is indicated.

Additional tests are needed because PSA levels in the blood stream can be affected by things other than cancer. Sex involving ejaculation 48 yours before the test, strenuous exercise and even bike riding can all elevate PSA levels. High PSA levels can also result from illnesses other than prostate cancer including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostattitis. These conditions can exist with or without the actual presence of prostate cancer.

So while high levels of PSA don’t actually confirm the presence of prostate cancer or rule it out they do act as a red flag to doctors because elevated PSA can indicate that cancer has damaged the prostate and is allowing fluids secreted by the prostate to leak into the blood stream. This is especially important because often there are not any signs and symptoms of prostate cancer until it is well established. By the time most men notice the classic signs of difficulty urinating, back pain or blood in the urine the cancer has already spread and the advantages of early detection, the best indicator for successful treatment, have been lost.

To preserve the advantages of early detection men over 50 should have annual checkups where PSA levels can be checked along with other blood tests such as cholesterol. Admittedly the PSA test can only indicate the need for more tests but it is one of the few tools available to doctors to help detect prostate cancer in the early stages which means more treatments options are available and the chances of success is greatly increased.

For all the advancements medical science has made and for all the diagnostic tools and treatments that are now at the disposal of doctors for fighting prostate cancer none of them can do any good unless the individual is willing to take the initiative, be well informed, and have annual checkups with their doctor including a PSA test. These simple precautions can literally mean the difference between life and death for men as well as be able to pass their prostrate test.

Related Articles

• How To Improve Prostate Health
• Prostate Cancer and PSA Level
• Prostate Cancer Tests
• My Boyfriend Is Just 40 Years Old And He Has Prostate Cancer And It Has Spread To His Bones; Could This Be Hereditary?
• 10 Tests Used in Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
• I’m 29 Years Old And My Prostate Is Enlarged. Is It Common For Men Under 30 To Have Prostate Cancer?
• Prostate Cancer Staging