While 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, early detection of this condition can drastically increase survival rates. To raise awareness of this need for early testing, Prostaid (403-455-1916) has released a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing guide.
Let’s be honest, as men, we often put off visiting the doctors or getting a check-up as we prefer to ‘man-up’ rather than actually go and get the help we need (unless it’s the very real and debilitating man-flu, in which case we need all the help we can get!).
But, when it comes to prostate cancer, we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to get tested as soon as possible, as early detection can add years, even decades to our life.
To help give you a better understanding of a simple blood test for detecting prostate cancer, Calgary-based foundation Prostaid developed their Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing guide.
With the guide, you can improve your prostate health awareness with the knowledge and resources you need to better understand early cancer detection and its treatments.
Visit https://prostaid.org/psa-testing for more information.
Prostaid Calgary’s PSA guide explains that the blood test measures the PSA levels in your bloodstream. While elevated protein levels are associated with aging, prostatitis, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, high PSA levels can also suggest the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men, accounting for about 1 in 7 new cancer cases. It remains the third leading cause of cancer death among Canadian men, with 67 men diagnosed daily and 13 of them succumbing to the disease.
Prostaid Calgary’s guide on PSA testing emphasizes the importance of early detection, which can help healthcare professionals develop strategies to stall cancer progression and other related problems. It also talks about the best time for getting tested, which is at age 50 for most men.
“PSA testing has been a staple in the healthcare industry for many years, and the technology continues to improve, making it easier than ever to get tested without having to undergo invasive procedures,” says a spokesperson for the prostate health nonprofit.
Similarly, the guide recommends getting a PSA test as early as age 40, especially in men with symptoms such as frequent urination or pain while urinating. It also advocates for early detection in men with a high cancer risk. The Prostaid report also enumerates the tests that may help confirm diagnosis, such as urine tests, digital rectal exams, ultrasounds, and biopsies.
Since 1993, Prostaid has served patients and families in Calgary and nearby areas. Under the leadership of President Brad Sterling, Prostaid focuses on increasing public knowledge about the disease and advocating for prostate cancer-related matters in the province.
“By sharing our experiences with the disease, we lift our spirits and strengthen our resolve to fight for quality of life and a cure,” expressed a Prostaid spokesperson.
Learn how a simple blood test can detect prostate cancer early and why you shouldn’t put off getting checked in Prostaid Calgary’s PSA guide.
For more information, you can visit https://prostaid.org/psa-testing or call 403-455-1916.
