|
DETECTION
The first consideration for the Detection of the disease should be involved in the currently, most accurate method, the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, which should be undertaken immediately after a man has had his 40th birthday. In the case where a man has a history of prostate cancer in the family (brother(s), father, grandfather, etc.), early detection is even more important and he should commence annual PSA tests after his 30th birthday. In addition, African American males, who have a 4 times incidence of the disease should also commence PSA detection at 30 years of age. It is better to be safe than sorry.
How many patients’ lives could have been extended if the disease was detected in its earliest stages in the years prior to age 50 or even completely eliminated? No one knows. Our extensive records show that early detection is the key to extension of survival and reduction of disease mortality. Isn’t it worth the effort to prolong your life span?
More sophisticated blood tests such as PSA-II (Free & Total PSA), RT-PCR, AMAS, and EPCA-2 (currently unapproved, but in clinical trials) are available and patient participation enables access to these tests which at least can provide additional guidelines as to the extent of the disease.
Because Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) as well as prostatitis can cause abnormal PSA readings, tests such as Expressed Prostatic Secretion (EPS) must be utilized to properly diagnose prostatitis. Additional diagnostic procedures must be undertaken to affirm the presence of the disease when the upper limits of the age related PSA is exceeded.
Digital Rectal Examinations (DRE’s), in and of themselves, are useless in detecting PC. If there is a palpable nodule that can be felt through the rectal canal, it may confirm an irregularity in the prostate gland due to BPH, prostatitis, or PC. Without confirmation by further testing, it cannot be classified.
The absence of a palpable nodule in no way confirms absence of prostate disease with elevated PSA.
Although there are exceptions to every rule, a PSA reading of 9.0 is suspicious of extra-capsular activity in the periphery of the gland or seminal vesicular involvement. PSA readings of 20+ indicate lymph node involvement and readings of 50+ are indicative or suspicious of bone or other organ penetration as well. |
|
“Let’s Conquer Prostate Cancer In OUR Lifetime” |
|
PAACT Inc. (Patient Advocates for Advanced Cancer Treatments) PO Box 141695 Grand Rapids, MI 49514
1143 Parmelee Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 |
|
To contact us: |
