Have you ever asked yourself why do I need to get a PSA test done? What is the point if I’m not in my 50’s and I feel fine! Sadly this is the thought process that many men go though when someone mentions PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) testing to them. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, regardless of race and ethnicity. It has been reported that as of 2010, a total of 214,633 men in the US were diagnosed with prostate cancer while 28,471 died from the illness.
It is a known fact that the risk factors from this illness include family history and age. The older a man gets the higher the risk. But just because the risks increase as you get older it does not mean that it is best to wait until an advanced age to get tested. Waiting might play an important factor on whether or not you will be able to make a significant difference in the stage of the illness. According to the CDC, PSA is a substance made by the prostate that can be higher in men who have prostate cancer along with the fact that PSA levels may be elevated due to other conditions that affect the prostate. When it comes to your prostate, prevention is key and a PSA test can be a valuable asset in your prevention efforts. This simple test measures the level of PSA in the blood.
It is recommended that once a man turns 40 years of age he should get his prostate checked, this way a baseline can be obtained in order to monitor it and act quickly if changes in PSA levels are discovered. Many underestimate the value of having a baseline at a younger age. The importance of having a baseline is that if there is even a slight change in your PSA level your doctor can commence the proper proceedings in order to find out what is causing the levels to increase and properly treat if needed, which can result in saving your life.
PSA testing is simple to do, and does not take a lot of time. We know, we know… you need to get to your next meeting, or your child’s softball game, or beer with the guys. We promise – in and out and it will be worth it. If you have reach 40 years of age or higher ask yourself, when was the last time I had my PSA level checked? Do you have your baseline? Talk to your male friends and family members and ask them these questions, their answers may surprise you.
ANY LAB TEST NOW® can help all of you get started on getting a baseline and continue to monitor your PSA levels. Just ask your local ANY LAB TEST NOW® about our PSA testing options. To find a location near you visit www.anylabtestnow.com.
