Beginner’s Guide
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PROSTATE CANCER
Basic Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer
Free PSA Test
Simple Blood Test
Many cases are found by using the simple blood test for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA leaks from the normal prostate cells in small amounts, but an elevated rate of leakage may indicate the presence of prostate cancer cells.
PSA Results
PSA readings of up to 2.5 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) are considered normal for a person in his forties. As men grow older, an increase in PSA is normal. Thus, a reading of 3.9 for a 70 year old would be considered normal. (African-Americans should lower these readings by about 0.5). High PSA often indicates the disease is outside the prostate capsule.
Monitoring
If the PSA is abnormally high and the doctor feels something in the gland, a biopsy is usually performed. PSA is also used after therapy as a monitor to indicate therapy failure and if PC is under control.
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Emerging Therapies for Prostate Cancer
Cases have highlighted/illustrated the clinical application of PSMA PET imaging in guiding/informing treatment decisions.
Males Who Skip Prostate Screenings Could Face 45% Higher Risk of Death
Men who avoided prostate cancer screening were significantly more likely to die from the disease, according to a large European trial.
Prostate Cancer Discovery Opens Door to More Tailored Treatments
Prostate cancer has distinct genetic properties in different groups of men that could be targeted to improve patient outcomes, new research suggests.
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