There are a number of different ways to test for the presence of prostate cancer but one of the simplest tests for alerting your doctor to the possibility of a developing problem is the prostate specific antigen test, or PSA test.

The most commonly used test to detect the presence of prostate cancer is the prostate specific antigen test, or PSA test.

This is a simple non-invasive blood test which checks for levels of a specific antigen produced by the prostate and gives your doctor an indication of whether or not there may be a problem with the prostate.

Abnormally high levels of the prostate specific antigen will not necessarily indicate the presence of prostate cancer, but will signal that all is not well with the prostate and act as a signal that further testing may be advisable and that it may be time to start taking some action and  preventative measures to lessen the risk of prostate problems developing.

In some cases, though sadly as yet not enough cases, the PSA test is now included as part of routine medical examinations for men once they reach the age of about 40 and, for men with a family history of prostate cancer, some doctors will carry out the test at even earlier ages. It is also becoming increasingly common for a digital rectal examination to be carried out alongside the PSA test in men over the age of 50 as a physical check of the condition of the prostate gland.

To carry out the PSA test your doctor will take a small sample of blood which will then be sent off to a laboratory for testing. The laboratory will then check the sample for the level of the prostate specific antigen protein produced by the prostate gland and report its findings back to your doctor.

If the laboratory tests show an unusually high PSA level then, unless the level is particularly high, your doctor may advise that this is indicative of a possible prostate problem which could be anything from a simple prostate infection to an enlarged prostate or possibly prostate cancer. At this stage however, unless there are other factors which indicate that further testing is advisable, your doctor may well simply advise that the test be repeated in three or six months time to see whether or not PSA levels are still elevated.

And at this point you might want to think about a possible change in lifestyle or to research what goes into a healthy prostate diet as a precaution.

As many prostate problems are very slow to develop, repeat testing is often carried out over an extended period of time with your doctor simply monitoring the results and plotting what is often referred to as the ‘velocity’ of your PSA. In other words, if your PSA levels are increasing, the doctor will monitor the speed of any increase until such time as he feels that this has reached a figure which warrants further testing.

Although some controversy surrounds the PSA test, principally because it does not provide a clear cut ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, it is nevertheless an extremely valuable test for detecting early signs of prostate problems and is undoubtedly responsible for preventing a very large number of prostate cancer deaths each year.

For more information on how to check for prostate cancer using the PSA test or for information about the problems of an enlarged prostate gland please visit ProstateCancerExplained.com

By Donald Saunders

How To Get Some Answers On The PSA Test And Prostate Cancer

Without the regular test, the tumor would not have been found, and I would have probably had a diagnosis a couple of years down the road, and the possibility that the cancer would have spread outside of the prostate. 

Are Prostate Cancer Tests Worth The Trauma?

Are Prostate Cancer Tests Worth the Trauma? – ABC News While proponents of the standard blood test used to detect signs of prostate cancer — called the prostate-specific antigen test.

PSA Levels

There are a number of different ways to test for the presence of prostate cancer but one of the simplest tests for alerting your doctor to the possibility of a developing problem is the prostate specific antigen test

A More In-Depth PSA Screening For Prostate Cancer

A lower percent-free PSA means that the likelihood of having prostate cancer is higher and the patient should probably have a biopsy. 

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Prostate exams are uncomfortable, but should be done starting at age 45. Prostate exams are very humiliating to a good many men and many will not get it done for that reason.

Prostate exams are simple and can be conducted in a doctor’s office without any need for medical equipment or urine or blood testing. Yearly prostate exams are recommended for all men by age 50, and African American men and men with a close relative who had prostate cancer by age 45.

A cancer prevention diet and anti cancer vitamin supplements might also be a good idea to further reduce the risk.

The prostate gland is a small organ in men, located behind the pubic bone, beneath the bladder and above the rectum. Prostate exams can be required as part of health screening process, recommendation for men who are age 50 and above, or a check-up procedure for those having problems with urination. But some sources believe the tests are an imprecise method of diagnosing prostate cancer, and a cause for unnecessary concern for many patients.

According to the study, American and Swiss scientists have identified several genetic markers that indicate risk factors in men with a family history of prostate cancer. The new research, however, is acknowledged to be only a small step toward more dependable prostate screening, and men are better off being screened by the conventional method.

Testicular and prostate health are important for all men, including gay and bisexual men. On the other hand it has been proven that  certain foods can also promote prostate health  and even stem the production of DHT to an extent.

Food for good prostate health . Click here

In an unhealthy prostate this can result in a chain reaction of the prostate growing larger very rapidly, picking up speed over the course of several months or years until it is too big of a problem to ignore. So every time you eat tofu, edamame or even soy sauce you are not only promoting a healthy prostate, but also preventing hair loss. As a footnote: Tomato products also promote a healthy prostate.

Part of your prostate care must-dos is having prostate exams. Regular prostate exams will increase your chances of detecting prostate cancer early, which is the most dangerous potential condition.

That is why it is strongly recommended that all men over the age of 50 go for regular prostate exams and have a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test. Even in the absence of urinary symptoms, in order to promote a healthy prostate your doctor may perform periodic prostate exams and regularly monitor your prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. Prostate exams are very humiliating to a good many men and many will not get it done for that reason.

Symptoms exhibited by those who are afflicted with a case of prostate cancer are difficulty starting urine flow, painful urination, loss of weight or appetite, blood in the urine and painful ejaculation. When the prostate enlarges to a significant extent, symptoms of the condition, which chiefly consist of urination problems caused by the pressure of the gland on the urethra, usually ensue.

A test is required when you find prostate cancer symptoms on yourself. Many men with symptoms are affected so mildly that they don’t need treatment. It is important that you understand the symptoms and warning signs of prostate disease and tell your doctor about any that you may experience. Even in the absence of urinary symptoms, in order to promote a healthy prostate your doctor may perform periodic prostate exams and regularly monitor your prostate specific antigen (PSA) level.

Doctors suspect that  dietary changes may help men to stall the progress of this disease and prevent it from becoming life threatening . Nature has done a pretty good job putting all of the pieces of the puzzle onto the earth and while some people may just be genetically doomed to hair loss and/or prostate problems, they can probably lessen those problems through diet.

Natural prostate health . Find info here

It makes sense, however, that major diet changes can spark up the risk of certain cancers, so oddly enough, maybe this should not be a total surprise.

Zinc is very important to prostate health and in males, and antioxidants to supplement our daily diet.  Combining a good diet with nutritional supplements and regular exercise will provide us with the basics to fuel our bodies. Health and nutrition experts say that the basis for good cardiovascular health is a nutrient rich diet, exercise, watching your cholesterol level, and monitoring your blood pressure.

Prostate Exams Are Uncomfortable
Yearly prostate exams are recommended for all men by age 50, and African American men and men with a close relative who had prostate cancer by age 45.

By Paul Rodgers

Chocolate – A Little Bit Of What You Fancy?

Zinc is crucial for healthy sperm. Fatty foods such as burgers can decrease levels of the male hormone testosterone and a regular intake of these foods can clog the arteries thus effecting blood flow… to all regions!

Exercise In Middle Age To Live Longer

Increased physical activity in middle age is eventually followed by a reduction in mortality to the same level as seen among men with constantly high physical activity. This reduction is comparable with that associated with smoking cessation. … The important message here is that it’s never too late to start leading a healthy, active lifestyle. And of course exercise isn’t just important for the over-50s 

How To Improve Your Health – Tips To Improve Your Health

Wealth without health is countless. You need to have healt fef h for wealth. No matter how hard you try to remain healthy yet you encounter so many health problems. … Sauna or sweat baths have been used by men from primitive times as a method of detoxification and rejuvenation.This process involves increasing the temperature of a covered room by steam to induce sweat. Food To Flaunt Your Figure When you know you are gaining weight, you should look for alternative foods 

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