Young Men at Risk Not Getting PSA Screenings

Duke University Medical Center’s Prostate Center has just released the outcome of their survey that explored the prevalence of PSA screening tests in men younger than 50.  A recent study suggesting men who are not expected to live 10 more years should not get routine PSA tests has led to an update of generally accepted guidelines that call for an annual screening for every man age 50 or older and beginning at age 40 for men who fall in high-risk categories. Read more

PSA Levels Becoming Less Predictive

Modern biopsy techniques appear to have made Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing less useful in men with a normal digital rectal exam. PSA testing has been commonly used to help physicians detect prostate cancer. Although the test was not entirely specific, it did provide clues for further diagnostic testing, such as prostate biopsy. Read more

Obese Men Have Lower PSA

A study done by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that overweight or obese men had lower concentrations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in their blood than normal weight men. PSA is a protein released into the blood by the prostate gland, and is elevated in the presence of cancer. Read more

PSA test could predict Prostate Cancer

Scientists may have found a better way to predict the eventual onset of prostate cancer. Men who have not yet reached the age of 50 can now be tested with a single PSA test which may help to determine if they will develop the cancer later on. Early treatment could then be initiated and prevention of this form of cancer could be increased. Read more