If you under 30 and you haven’t screened yourself for prostrate cancer you are gambling with your health.Well, don’t worry, I’m going to take you through a few reasons why you should start getting screened for Prostate Cancer which always depends on a couple of factors including family history and age.
Here are some of the things men should know about the latest prostate cancer screening guidelines suitable for different ages.
Prostate Cancer Screening For Ages 40-54
A PSA TEST is a test that measures the amount of a particular protein called Prostate Specific Antigen in your blood. It’s been the standard screening design for the past 10 years.Before your doctor suggests a prostate cancer screening, he or she must start with a PSA test.
Although it’s standard to screen for prostate cancer at age 55 you need to get screened at age 40-54 especially if you; Have at least one immediate family member who has had prostate cancer.Have at least two extended family members who have had prostate cancer.Are an African because their ethnicity tends to have a higher risk of catching aggressive cancer’s.
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Prostrate Cancer Screening For Ages 55-69
This is the perfect range for you to benefit from screening because it’s that time when; Men are most likely to get cancer.The treatment benefits outweigh any potential risk of treatment side effects
It’s a fact that most men will get prostate cancer if they live long enough. Some prostate cancers are more aggressive and others are slow-growing. Doctors will take your age and other factors into consideration before weighing the risks and benefits of treatment. It also depends on the results of your first PSA test, after that your doctor may recommend you to get screened less (or more) frequently.
Decoding A PSA Test
Doctors only consider your age and size of your prostate when determining what your PSA score means. In general, what I’m saying is; For men in their 40s and 50s: A PSA score greater than 2.5 ng/ml is considered abnormal. The median PSA for this age range is 0.6 to 0.7 ng/ml. For men in their 60s: A PSA score greater than 4.0 ng/ml is considered abnormal. The normal range is between 1.0 and 1.5 ng/ml.
An abnormal rise: A PSA score may also be considered abnormal if it rises a certain amount in a single year. For example, if your score rises more than 0.35 ng/ml in a single year, your doctor may recommend further testing.
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An Abnormal PSA Test: What Comes Next?
If your PSA score is in the abnormal range, your doctor may recommend you repeat the PSA test. If your levels are still high, your doctor might recommend one of the newer prostate cancer screening tests available today. They truly help assess your risk for prostate cancer better hence determine whether a biopsy is necessary.
Note that only a prostate biopsy can definitively diagnose prostate cancer.
