Blood Test for Prostate Cancer

Overview

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in males.

Healthcare providers recommend a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to determine if you have elevated PSA levels. PSA is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland; higher amounts of PSA cause prostate cancer. Symptoms associated with prostate cancer and its progression include changes in pee colour, pain in the lower back, blood in your pee, or unexpected weight loss.

Hence, getting the prostate test done is crucial to catch prostate cancer early. It can increase your chances of treatment. 

Did you know?

Prostate cancer is a very serious disease in men; for every 100 males, 13 will develop it in their lifetime. Regular screenings under the guidance of experts help get it diagnosed before it spreads beyond your prostate glands. Getting treated early eliminates the cancer. 

What are the different types of prostate cancer?

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of prostate cancer. It starts in the cells of glands that line your organs. It is also called glandular prostate cancer. Common symptoms include the urge to urinate, painful urination, and ejaculation.

Less Common Types of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer in men that does exist, but is less common, includes:

• Small cell carcinomas
• Transitional cell carcinomas
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Sarcomas

Healthcare professionals suggest a PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer. A digital rectal exam (DRE) and a PSA may also be performed together. Early screening increases the chances of being highly treatable, allowing you to go on to live full, cancer-free lives for many years after treatment. 

Symptoms and Causes 

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

You rarely see symptoms when the prostate is in an early stage. As cancer progresses, you may notice symptoms, creating a need to seek medical assistance immediately. Book an appointment with your healthcare professional if you experience:

• Weak urine flow
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Painful pee (dysuria)
• Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
• Loss of bowel control (faecal incontinence)
• Painful ejaculations and erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Blood in semen
• Pain in your low back, hip, or chest

Causes of Prostate Cancer

The good news is that prostate cancer develops gradually, resulting in many cancers being detected before the cancer spreads beyond your prostate. 

Experts are unaware of what causes cells in your prostate to become cancerous. Cancer cells do not die; instead, they multiply and may spread to other parts of the body (metastasise). 

Early detection of prostate cancer through a PSA blood test significantly helps by improving the chances of successful treatment and long-term survival. When prostate cancer is identified before the symptoms develop, it is at an earlier, more treatable stage, making it easier to manage and potentially curable. 

What is a normal PSA by age?

PSA levels grow slowly as you age. Even if there are no signs of prostate cancer, other conditions can affect your prostate. Any abnormalities in the PSA test normal range will reveal your prostate condition. Increased levels of PSA may indicate that you have prostate cancer. 

Age	Normal Level	Abnormal Level
40 to 50	0 to 2.5	More than 2.5
50 to 60	2.5 to 3.5	More than 3.5
60 to 70	3.5 to 4.5	More than 4.5
70 to 80	4.5 to 5.5	More than 5.5

Note: A PSA test normal range also varies depending on the lab where you were tested. PSA levels are measured in nanograms per millilitre of blood (ng/mL). 

When do healthcare professionals suggest a PSA blood test?

Healthcare professionals suggest PSA blood tests starting around age 50. 

1. Abnormal Prostate Test Results: If your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test results are abnormal, typically above 4.0 ng/mL, it does not always mean cancer is present. Abnormal PSA levels can be caused by

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)- enlarged prostate
• Inflammation of the prostate 
• Urinary tract infections
• Prostate Stimulation
• Prostate Cancer 

What happens next?

• Healthcare providers may ask you to repeat the test, and other screenings may be required every six to 12 months. 
• A digital rectal exam (DRE)
• An imaging test or a prostate biopsy may be suggested

2. High risk of Prostate Cancer: Regular screenings starting around 40, if a PSA blood test report shows a high risk of prostate cancer. 

What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

Common risk factors include: 

• Age: If your age is under 40, the chances of you getting prostate cancer are lower. As you age, the risk increases significantly. 
• Race and ethnicity: if you are an African American man or a man of African Caribbean descent, the greater your chances of developing prostate cancer. People belonging to these ethnicities are more likely to develop the disease at a younger age and have more aggressive forms of cancer. 
• Family history of prostate cancer: Having a close relative, such as a dad, brother, or son, with prostate cancer also increases your risk. 
• Genetics: Certain inherited gene mutations can increase your risk of prostate cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are faulty genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer, respectively. They can increase the chances of prostate cancer. Nonetheless, Lynch syndrome and other inherited genetic changes may also play a role, though these are less common. 

Additionally, a PSA blood test may also be suggested to assess the efficacy of the treatment. 

Test Details

What can you expect before a PSA blood test?

Before a PSA blood test, a healthcare professional will examine you and ask the following questions: 

• If you are taking medicines for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) such as finasteride or dutasteride. 
• If you are taking medications for hair loss
• If you had a surgery to treat BPH
• If you had a prostate biopsy in the last six weeks. 
• Have you experienced any complications from using a urinary catheter?
• Are you suffering from a liver condition, like liver cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis, or hepatitis C? 
• Have you suffered from a urinary tract infection (UTI) or experienced one in the previous three months?

According to experts, these procedures or medications can affect your PSA levels, creating a need for a PSA test. 

Discuss your doubts with your healthcare professional. He will provide you with directions for a few days to help you obtain the most accurate PSA test results. These may include:

• No sexual activity: Do not get involved in any sexual activity 48 hours before the PSA test
• Avoid intense exercise: Refrain from engaging in intense exercise for 48 hours before your PSA test. Rigorous exercise, such as bicycling, weightlifting, or any exercise that can temporarily raise your PSA levels. 
• Follow your regular diet: Continue eating and drinking as usual. There is no need to avoid your specific foods or beverages before your PSA blood test. 
• Inform your doctor about your medications: Please let your healthcare professional know about any medications or supplements you are currently taking. Their ingredients may affect the normal PSA test range. 

These steps help ensure you receive the most accurate PSA test results. 

What is the procedure for the PSA blood test?

During a PSA blood test, a phlebotomist will perform the following:

• He will search for the most suitable vein to insert a needle and draw a small amount of blood. 
• Then, he will disinfect the skin around a vein. 
• Then, he will draw blood, cover the injection site with a clean cotton or gauze to help stop any bleeding, and transfer the drawn blood into a blood collection tube. 
• Lastly, he will label it and send it for analysis. 

Note: The PSA test will take 5 minutes to complete. However, your doctor may recommend resting for another 5-10 minutes to resume your normal routine. 

What can you expect after a PSA test?

Keep the cotton gauze for a few hours. Do not perform any exercise after a blood draw, as it can increase the risk of:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bleeding
• Bruising 

Other Tests That Are Used

Other PSA screenings that can help detect whether you have symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Digital rectal exam: During a digital rectal exam (DRE), a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to gently feel the prostate for lumps, enlargements, or other abnormalities. It is a simple, non-invasive test that takes less than a minute to complete. 
• Imaging tests: An imaging test, such as an MRI or a transrectal ultrasound, helps a doctor create detailed pictures of your prostate gland. These images can reveal unusual changes that might indicate cancer. 
• Biopsy: A needle biopsy of the prostate takes a small sample of tissue to diagnose cancer and to, in some cases, assess the prognosis. It is the only definitive way to diagnose prostate cancer and to determine how serious that cancer is. In some cases, genetic testing of the biopsy tissue may help the doctor narrow down the best treatment options. 

What are the scores and stages of prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is evaluated using both scores and stages of prostate cancer to determine how aggressive the cancer is and how far it has spread. 

Gleason Score

The purpose of the Gleason score is to assess the abnormality of cancer cells when compared to normal prostate tissue. A low Gleason grade means slow-growing cancer. High-grade means cancer is more likely to grow and spread quickly. 

Staging Prostate Cancer 

Cancer staging helps your healthcare provider learn how advanced your cancer is, or how much it has spread. This is crucial for guiding treatment decisions and predicting prognosis. This involves the TNM system:

• “T” describes the extent of the primary tumour (T1 with no imaging detection to T4, which is invading nearby structures)
• “N” shows if the cancer has involved nearby lymph nodes 
• “M” shows if there is distant metastasis

Prostate cancer is then staged from I (localised, low grade) to II (localised, high grade) to III (beyond the prostate but not in lymph nodes or distant sites) to IV (has spread to lymph nodes or distant organs). 

Other information, such as PSA values and biopsy results, may also be used to inform the stage further.

What is the danger zone of PSA?

There isn't a single PSA level that indicates prostate cancer, but higher PSA levels raise the likelihood of having cancer. Most clinicians use a cutoff of 4.0 ng/mL or higher to follow up, which triggers further investigations and possibly a biopsy. However, some clinicians will hold a call for lower levels (2.5 or 3 ng/mL, depending on age and risk factors). 

It is estimated that men with PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/mL will have a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer while those men with PSA levels over 10 ng/mL have a greater than 50% chance, and it is likely that most of these cancers will be of low grade and require no immediate treatment. 

Benign conditions like BPH or prostatitis can raise the PSA, and some men with prostate cancer may have a normal PSA.

Results and Follow Up

When should you contact a doctor?

You should contact a doctor for a PSA blood test if you have:

• If your age is around 55.
• If you are African American, or have at least one first-degree relative like your father or brother who has had prostate cancer. 
• If you have symptoms of prostate cancer, such as unexplained pain, trouble urinating, unexpected weight loss, and unexplained fevers. 
• If you have two extended family members with a history of prostate cancer.

Therefore, you should consult your doctor if you are between 45 and 50 and experience any of these symptoms to make individualised decisions, including a PSA blood test. 

Management and Treatment 

What is the treatment for prostate cancer? 

Treatment options for prostate cancer vary depending on age, patient stage, grade, and overall health status. 

1. Low-risk stage: At an early stage, the risk of developing prostate cancer is low. A doctor often recommends active surveillance or watchful waiting. He will closely monitor the signs of cancer progression rather than immediately treating it. 
2. Surgery: A radical prostatectomy is suggested to remove the prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues or lymph nodes. This surgery is often effective in eliminating prostate cancers that haven’t spread. 
3. Radiation therapy of all kinds. It includes external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy (which involves internal radiation through radioactive seeds)
4. Systematic Therapies: These include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, which aim to reduce the growth of cancer cells. 

All these therapies are used by oncologists to treat advanced, recurrent, or hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Always discuss with your doctor before trying any home remedy, especially if you are allergic to certain substances that may reduce the effectiveness of your treatment. 

How can you lower your PSA quickly?

There are no fixed ways that can help you lower your prostate-specific levels quickly. However, some studies reveal that with lifestyle changes and diet, you may reduce your PSA levels. Some helpful tips include:

1. Eat foods that contain lycopene. It gives pink or red colour to certain fruits and vegetables, such as apricots, watermelon, pink guavas, and tomatoes. Additionally, it has anti-cancer properties and may help reduce the risk or progression of certain cancers, like prostate cancer. 
2. Consume a plant-based diet. A plant-based diet may enhance your immunity and help prevent the growth of cancer cells. 
3. Take foods rich in vitamin D: Spend time in the sun to help your body make vitamin D naturally. Besides, include fatty fish, plant-based milk, orange juice, orange meals, and vitamin D supplements to boost your immune system. 
4. Increase physical activity: Stay more active. Engage in physical activities such as brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, or weightlifting to help improve your PSA levels. 

Are there any side effects of prostate cancer treatment?

Potential side effects of prostate cancer treatment include:

• Urine leakage when coughing or laughing (incontinence)
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Infertility 

Do not hide any side effects or unusual signs that you may develop after getting treated for prostate cancer. Your healthcare provider will recommend medicines and procedures that can help. 

Here are some questions you can ask your healthcare provider: 

1. Has the cancer extended beyond my prostate gland?
2. What is the most effective treatment for my current stage of prostate cancer?
3. What possible risks and side effects are associated with the treatment options?
4. Is my family at increased risk of developing prostate cancer, and should we consider genetic testing?
5. Are there particular signs of complications I should be aware of and monitor for?

A Note from Redcliffe Labs

The PSA blood test cost can vary depending on the provider and location, but it is generally affordable and accessible. 

The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test is a screening method that helps measure PSA levels in your blood. This screening method helps detect potential prostate issues early, including cancer and benign conditions. 

For expert testing & honest PSA test cost, you can contact Redcliffe Labs at 898 898 87 87. Early detection through PSA testing can play a crucial role in managing prostate health.