PSA levels for men

trust the BBC to show this link = well done

Prostate cancer may be a sexually transmitted disease caused by a common yet often silent infection passed on during intercourse, scientists say - but experts say proof is still lacking.

Although several cancers are caused by infections, Cancer Research UK says it is too early to add prostate cancer to this list.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27466853

"   EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS:

In most published series, median PSA levels in the general male population range from approximately 0.4 to 0.7 ng/ml in men in their 40s and from approximately 0.7 to 1.0 ng/ml in men in their 50s. Evidence from both nonscreening and screening populations has demonstrated the predictive value of a single baseline PSA measurement for prostate cancer risk assessment. Specifically, men with baseline PSA levels above the age-group-specific median have a greater risk of prostate cancer diagnosis during the next 20-25 yr. Additional studies confirmed that higher baseline PSA levels at a young age are also associated with a greater risk of aggressive disease, metastasis, and disease-specific mortality many years later.

CONCLUSIONS:

Baseline PSA measurements at a young age are significant predictors of later prostate cancer diagnosis and disease-specific outcomes. Thus baseline PSA testing may be used for risk stratification and to guide screening protocols "

from

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21862205

also read

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0090429505011970

 If psa figures fall into the above ranges, then those at higher risk just need to test on a regular basis. If above these median figures then more attention to testing might be required. i.e. more often.

That's the conclusion I reached.

Dr C paper has a lot of info well put together - wish I had read it all say 4 years ago - watchful waiting is a gamble - but so is life all the time...

Men who have first degree male relatives (such as a father or brother) affected by prostate cancer are at slightly increased risk as well. It is thought that lycopene-rich foods are best in protecting one from the disease. Lycopene is an antioxidant that is commonly found in fruits and vegetables that are red in colour like tomatoes, watermelon and guavas. Chillis of all sorts are also lycopene powerhouses.

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/columns-16233-Dr+Chireka+Prostate+cancer,+what+to+do/columns.aspx

It could be part of the new'ish urine test being monitored for P.Ca. detection or just looking for infection.

Either way, so long as you are now getting full tests & attention.

Best wishes for results & let us know if you glean any more information. Always useful to hear of developments coming into practice.

I am on testosterone therapy and had a blood test at the beginning of the month just before my next jab was due and one of the results was a PSA of 12.8. My GP has immediately referred me to a urologist.

I had a blood test at the beginning of this week after my next injection and now my PSA is 1.3

Is a swing like this normal or was one of the tests wrong?

My worry is that they will take me of the testosterone therapy as its a life changer.