The Ever-Changing Prostate PSA Levels
The prostate gland is a very important part of a man's anatomy. It is responsible for the assurance of healthy male swimmers. It is also responsible for a man's virility and potency. But some time in the recent past there had been very disturbing news that involves a man's prostrate. News that if not taken seriously could cause a worldwide concern that will be every man's nightmare. Women have breast cancer while men have prostate cancer. Both are endemic and indigenous to a certain gender. Very deadly and virtually undetectable, prostate cancer jumps from one man to another infecting most men in their 40's. A recent study in the US shows that prostate cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the United States. Along the lines would be breast cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer. The other diseases on the list would be the ones that have medication and procedures that have been tested to cure, while prostate cancer is yet to be given that one great cure. Prostate cancer targets specific cells in the prostate usually destroying that cell in order to feed; some of the recent development in the battle against prostate cancer is the relationship between the prostate PSA levels (prostate specific antigen) and the number of the prostate cancer cells. It has been discovered that the two are directly proportioned
The PSA examination measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood circling the prostate, PSA is an enzyme produced by the prostate. Specifically, PSA is a serine protease that is closely related to kallikrein. The main role of it is to make wattery the gel-like constitution of the semen right after climax. This allows the sperm cells to reach without problems the uterine cervix or in short, it breaks apart the sperm cells that are trapped in the gel.
Recent discoveries suggest that there is a direct relationship between the PSA levels and the number of cancerous cells in the prostate. Studies show that whenever the PSA levels shoots up the number of prostate cancer cells also shoot up. Prostate PSA levels under 4 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) are generally considered normal, while levels over 4 ng/mL are considered abnormal (although men over the age of 65, levels up to 6.5 ng/mL. This may be acceptable, but is still depend upon a laboratory's references). The studies show that PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/mL indicates the chances of contracting prostate cancer that is higher than normal. When the PSA level shoots up dramatically and is above 10 ng/mL, the risk of contracting cancer becomes greater. However, the PSA level exam is not a perfect test. There had been cases where some men acquired prostate cancer without having an elevated PSA, and not all men that scored positive in the PSA test and was found with elevated PSA had prostate cancer.
Prostate PSA levels may change for many reasons other than prostate cancer. Two of the most common causes of elevated PSA levels are enlargement or swelling of the prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)), contraction of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and the infection in the prostate (prostatitis). It can also be elevated for 24 hours after an intense ejaculation and several days after catheterization. Prostate PSA levels are lowered in men who use medications used to treat BPH or baldness. These medications, finasteride (marketed as Proscar or Propecia) and dutasteride (marketed as Avodart), may decrease the PSA levels by 50% or more.
Prostate Tip #1
As men age, they should think about prostate problem prevention since men in their fifties have a higher risk of developing an enlarged prostate or even cancer. It takes less money to prevent a disease from happening rather than treating it.
Prostate Tip #2
It will be in your best interests to get a prostate screening annually from your physician once you reach age 45 to determine if you have any problems with your prostate. This will also help your physician detect any cancer while it is still in its early stages.