by Heather Robson

Created on: October 08, 2009

Get Better Prostate Care With Better Testing

Most men will deal with prostate problems at one time or another. Half of men 50 or over have problems related to an enlarged prostate. If you're fortunate enough to reach your 80th birthday, there's a four out of five chance your prostate will become enlarged.

An enlarged prostate is uncomfortable, but not life threatening.

Prostate cancer, on the other hand, is more serious. That's why it's important for you to know about new prostate tests that are now available. These new tests give your doctor more information and a clearer picture regarding your prostate health.

New PSA Tests Tell Doctors More

For years now, doctors have asked you to come in for an annual PSA test. High PSA levels tell your doctor there might be a problem. The next step is usually a biopsyan invasive procedure where the doctor takes tissue samples from your prostate to determine if you have cancer.

The problem with the typical PSA test is that your levels might be high for a number of reasons besides cancer.

If you could avoid an unnecessary biopsy, wouldn't you?

Refinements in PSA Testing Will Help

PSA Velocity: When your doctor checks your PSA levels, he should compare them to previous results. This gives him an idea of how quickly your PSA levels are changing. Prostate cancer leads to quicker shifts in PSA. You get two advantages from knowing your PSA velocity.

First, your doctor can see better if your PSA is high because of prostate enlargement or cancer. This means you're less likely to undergo an unnecessary biopsy.

Second, your doctor can determine sooner if you're at risk for cancer. That means earlier treatment, more options, and better results.

PSA Doubling Time: This test also looks at changes in PSA over time. If your PSA levels double within in an 18-month period, that's a sign that cancer is likely. Your doctor will recommend a biopsy in that event.

PSA Density: If your prostate is bigger than average, you're more likely to receive an unnecessary biopsy. That's because a large prostate produces more PSA than a small one. Using an ultrasound, your doctor can check the size of your prostate and adjust the normal range of PSA levels to fit your circumstances. This cuts down on procedures you don't need.

Free and Total PSA: In your bloodstream, PSA is either free floating or attached to certain proteins. PSA that is bound to proteins is a better indicator of your cancer risks than free PSA. By checking the levels of the two types of PSA, your doctor can get a better idea of your true cancer risk.

Ask your doctor about these new PSA tests. They will help you and your doctor better understand your cancer risks. And that means you can make better decisions about your health.

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