PSA - Prostate Specific Antigen
PSA TESTING POLICY SUMMARISED
50-70 y.o men
Prostate blood test (PSA) + Prostate exam (DRE) annually
40-50 y.o men
Prostate blood test (PSA) + Prostate exam (DRE) single test
If positive family history (prostate or breast) OR
If PSA > 0.6 (median)
Then annual testing should continue otherwise commence at 50yo
PSA
The prostate continually produces a small protein - the "PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen" and a man's PSA level can be easily detected by this simple blood test.
The PSA reading indicates how "active" a prostate is and generally increases with:
1. Age
2. Prostate size
3. Prostate inflammation
4. Prostate Cancer
Here at Prostate Clinic Australia, Dr Elmes recommends an annual PSA test for all men between 50 and 75 years and in specific high risk circumstances men should be offered a test at 40. There is also evidence now to stratifying men into high risk or low risk with a single "median PSA" at 40.
Dr Elmes a utilise many specialised PSA tests.
1. PSA age specific
2. PSA Kinetics (annual rise)
3. Free/total PSA ratio
4. Prostate examination
5. Family history - prostate/breast/ovarian cancer
6. Previous prostate biopsy results
This provides each individual patient their risk of having prostate cancer and allowing them to be actively involved in the ongoing decision process about the benefit and yield of a prostate MRI and diagnostic targeted prostate biopsy.