THE CHESTNUT APPEAL
A Guide to the PSA test and how it can detect prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, but catching it early can make all the difference. Unfortunately, early symptoms of prostate cancer are often non-existent, meaning the disease can progress without warning.
The good news is that a simple blood test could help detect prostate cancer before symptoms develop.
We often run testing events where men can get a PSA test done for free without going through your GP. To find out if we currently have any testing events open for registration, click here.
If you are worried about prostate cancer, contact your GP.
The PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood.
PSA is a hormone produced by the prostate gland, and high levels in your blood can sometimes indicate prostate cancer. However, it is important to know that elevated PSA levels can also occur for many harmless reasons.
PSA testing isn’t routinely offered on the NHS, meaning that it is up to men to ask their GP for the test.
If you’re over 50, you have the right to request a PSA test from your GP, even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms. For some men, especially those at higher risk, earlier testing is recommended.
Certain factors can significantly increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. You should consider a PSA test from the age of 45 if:
Taking proactive steps is crucial if you fall into a higher-risk group. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Speak to your GP about getting tested.
Current NHS guidelines leave the responsibility to assess risk and request a PSA test with men themselves. However, many experts argue that men at higher risk should be proactively offered PSA testing. This debate highlights the importance of raising awareness and empowering men to take charge of their health.
Click here to learn more about the factors that may increase your risk of prostate cancer and how you can take action today.
Don’t leave your health to chance. If you’re over 50, or over 45 with a higher risk, speak to your GP about PSA testing.
Over 55,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It has become the most common cancer in men overtaking lung cancer. With PSA testing on the increase and an ageing population, incidence is predicted to rise ahead of breast cancer over the next decade.
95% of all prostate cancer patients are aged between 45 and 80. The majority of men are aged over 60.
Is there anything I can do to reduce the risk of developing it? Men with a brother or father with prostate cancer have an increased risk. When symptoms occur they may include difficulties in urinating or pain and/or stiffness in the lower back and hips. However these symptoms are more commonly caused by other conditions. If you have concerns, you should consult with your GP.
Early diagnosis of prostate cancer is important for successful treatment. Diagnosis methods include the PSA Blood Test, which tests the level of rostate Specific Antigen in the blood; digital rectal examinations to feel the size of the prostate gland and biopsies which take tiny samples of tissue from the prostate.
Some prostate cancers grow so slowly that no treatment is needed. Instead, a policy of watch and wait is employed to monitor the condition. When more active treatment is required surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or a combination of these treatments are used.
Different treatments for prostate cancer can cause impotence, reduced ejaculation, a lowered sex drive, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, hot flushes and sweats and tiredness. Surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy all have different side effects which need to be considered in any decisions about treatment
Eating a diet high in animal fat and low in fresh fruit, vegetables and fish and being exposed to cadmium (a heavy metal) or ‘radiation’ have been identified as possible risk factors. Some preliminary research suggests that Lycopene (the compound that gives the tomato its red colour), selenium and vitamin E in the diet could play a preventative role in the development.
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