4) Raised prostate-specific antigen level
Raised prostate antigen level can occur in prostate cancer. Prostate antigen is normally secreted substance by the gland as normal value of this protein is four (ng/mL) in the blood. It is also raised in some other diseases such as prostatitis and other urinary tract infection. Proper checkup by the doctor is necessary to find out the correct diagnosis. PSA screening can detect small tumors of the prostate that are still symptomless. Through monitoring of the PSA, mortality and morbidity rates due to prostate cancer can be mitigated to great extent. PSA level is considered very important in diagnosing prostate cancer as its level can provide major clues in narrowing down our diagnosis.
Patients having PSA level lower than four (ng/mL) in the blood have 15% chance of developing prostate cancer. Patients having PSA level higher than four (ng/mL) but lower than 10(ng/mL) in the blood have 25% chance of developing prostate cancer. Patients having PSA level higher than 10(ng/mL) in the blood have more than 50% chance of developing prostate cancer. Routine screening for PSA antigen is generally recommended between 45-55 years of age as the risk of prostate cancer is maximum in this age group.
