PSA test> What is PSA?
PSA, prostate-specific antigen, is a protein-like substance that occurs in abundance in the fluid within the prostate. Testing blood samples to determine the amount of PSA (a 'PSA test') is central to the early detection and selection of effective treatment for prostate cancer.
| The growth of cancer cells in the prostate disrupts the structure and organisation of the tissue. PSA inside the prostate is able to leak into the nearby blood vessels more readily than it does in a healthy prostate. As a result, the amount of PSA in the blood increases, which is why measurement of PSA in a blood sample can help to diagnose prostate cancer. |
It is, however, up to you whether you have your PSA tested to screen for prostate cancer, and whether you continue with annual or biannual checks. But make sure you base your decision on reliable information, not the latest newspaper, radio or TV article, or some unsubstantiated internet site, and discuss it with your partner. The Department of Health has recently changed its policy on PSA testing and has agreed that men should be entitled to this test once they have had enough information to make an informed choice.
Monitoring a man's PSA level is also extremely helpful once therapy has been started, as it can indicate how effectively treatment is working. If the PSA is rising in spite of treatment, second-line therapies such as oestrogens or chemotherapy with, for example, Taxotere (docetaxel) may be in order.