Prostate Cancer and PSA Testing

Source: The American Urological Society

The American Urological and American Cancer Societies and the American College of Physicians, recommend prostate cancer screening at age 50 for even healthy males. For African-American males and those with a strong family history of prostate cancer, at age 40.

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is an enzyme that naturally occurs in seminal fluid. However it should not be present in high quantities in the blood stream.

PSA levels of 4 to 10 ng/ml indicate a 20-30% risk for prostate cancer. 10 to 20 ng/ml indicate a 50-75% risk for prostate cancer and levels of PSA above 20 ng/ml represent a 90% risk.

There are other conditions, such as urinary tract infections, inflammation and BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) which can also account for higher than normal PSA levels. However, you should not be falsely re-assured. The Lewis Law Firm is presently handling at least one case for a Veteran receiving treatment at a VA Hospital who was told that it was essentially “normal” for PSA levels to fluctuate above normal. If found early and treated properly (Another issue) Prostate Cancer is very survivable, depending on age of onset and aggressiveness.

However, if left unchecked, improperly reported or unrecognized, elevations in PSA could continue for months and even years during which time cancer can spread beyond the prostate (metastasize) and through the body resulting in limited chance of a cure. This is truly nothing to turn your head and cough about. If you are a male over age 50, or high risk by family history or by virtue of being an African-American Male, insist on a PSA check and ask to know the numbers.

posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esq.