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PSA Levels May Help Individualize Testing for Prostate Cancer
In 2000, 540,000 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed worldwide and this disease has become a great male health
concern. For asymptomatic men, most important medical organizations currently recommend testing for prostate cancer
on an individual basis and only after the patient received information related to advantages and disadvantages.
The recommended testing interval by specialists is once in a year, especially after 50 years of age.
This screening interval seems to have been chosen by tradition, as is general accepted that is better to perform major
test annually. Recent studies have suggested that individualized rescreening intervals must be determined by baseline
levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). They have shown that lead time (ie, time until symptoms occur) varied;
men with high but normal PSA levels usually have shorter lead time than men with lower PSA levels.
Men having baseline PSA levels between 1.50 and 2.99 ng/mL are exposed at higher risk (12.3% - 25.2%) of being
diagnosed as prostate cancer patients within the next eight years. By consequence, they need to be followed up with
regular, shorter intervals for an early detection of tumors, while men with PSA levels of less than 1 ng/mL can
safely be scheduled for a three-year testing interval.
The main message of recent studies is that men with low PSA values do not need close surveillance and could be spared
unnecessary tests and visits. Doctors should focus their attention on use of PSA for risk identification regarding
men's future diagnose risk as having prostate cancer.
NOTE: The Information on this site is provided for information only, and is not meant to substitute for
the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.
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