PSA Test – What Is Involved

A PSA prostate test is usually conducted when and where a doctor has reasons to suspect that you could be suffering from a prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH. However in most cases, patients are ignorant of what a PSA test is and what it involves.

PSA is an abbreviation for prostate specific antigen. This is a protein produced within the prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and the prostate helps to produce a fluid which makes some of the male’s semen. The greater part of this liquid comprises of the PSA. The rest finds it’s way into the blood stream.

The PSA blood test is then used to assess the level of the PSA within the body system.

The test itself is part of a sequence of tests to ascertain if the patient has developed BPH or indeed prostate cancer. On it’s own it cannot confirm either of these health issues. The result of the test can give suggestions of further health problems which may give the doctor reasons to do further tests.

The normal readings of the PSA are usually 4 nanograms per millilitre. Any readings over this figure and between 10 nanograms would gave a good indication for BPH and the probable present of prostate cancer.

A major use of the test can be discovered in the area of prostate cancer screening. Here the test is conducted out over a longer period of time and should the levels rise then caution bells are sounded and further tests are then needed.

The particular examination is one of the primary techniques in prostate health screening process which physicians use in their tools to help fight prostate cancer.

As the cancer is fairly slow to develop, it is so important for the patient to get regular tests done should the need be.

John Ward is a health writer who has a domain on prostate health news. Go visit his site for the ultimate resource on all things concerning prostate health.

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