Getting Personal About Prostate Cancer
The decision about whether or not to undergo prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is one every man should make for himself. Those are the latest findings by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. There is no question that testing can save lives. Screening can help find many prostate cancers early; when the disease is in a more treatable stage than if no screening were done at all.
If you’ve made the decision to be screened, Any Lab Test Now can help. We’re here to help you take control of your health, and taking this proactive step may be a smart move for you. With the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening test, you’ll know where you stand, and you’ll be able to make the most educated decision on how to move forward.
Some Facts About Prostate Cancer
The American Cancer Society reports: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, not counting skin cancer. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among men.” Those are some pretty sobering facts! There are some risk factors that will increase your chances of developing prostate cancer… some of them are beyond your control. The American Cancer Society points to:
- Age
- Race
- Family History
And possibly:
- Diet
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Chemical exposures
- Prostatitis
- STDs
- Vasectomy
These can all potentially play a role in the development of prostate cancer or be factors with a possible effect on prostate cancer risk. Take obesity for example: Being obese does not seem to increase the overall odds of developing prostate cancer BUT, some studies have found that obese men have a higher risk of getting a more aggressive form of the disease. The reasons are still not clear.
Testing as “Active Surveillance”
The concept known as “Active Surveillance“is emerging as a viable option for men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, but decide not to undergo immediate radical treatment. That would include surgical options or radiation therapy. It’s a plan that’s not too different from the “baseline option” that Any Lab Test Now has been suggesting for years. The idea behind our “baseline” theory is that all men, no matter what their age, should take a PSA Test so they can establish a baseline. Through the years you continue to take Prostate Specific Antigen screening tests and therefore be aware of changes in levels. Similarly, if you are considering Active Surveillance, as described by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, you’ll continue with PSA testing once or twice a year to watch for signs of disease progression as opposed to surgery or radiation therapy.
Helping Put You in Control of Your Health
The key is education. If you’re a man, you can read about prostate cancer, know your risk factors, and then decide for yourself about screening. If you think establishing a baseline is a good idea for you, you can count on Any Lab Test Now to be affordable, quick, and convenient. If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have decided to pursue Active Surveillance, Any Lab Test Now can be your partner in managing your disease and a reliable source to monitor progression.
