KEY HEALTH Why is “PSA” Testing so Important in Men’s Health
By Medicare
Men are often renowned for taking risks, generally you get a kick out of living life in the fast lane and acting as if you are invincible and sadly this is mission impossible. Looking at recent trends, the incidents of prostate and testicular cancers are increasing sharply. With a few simple changes to your lifestyle, you could dramatically improve your well being, your functioning and durability as well as your stamina and performance. Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is a common cancer in older men. Every year 22,000 men are diagnosed in the UK alone. Around 8 in 10 cases occur in men over the age of 65. It is rare in men under 50. Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer is often present for many years without you realising it. This is because in many cases the cancer is slow growing and can take many years to cause any symptoms. By the age of 80, more than half of all men will have some cancer cells in their prostate but only 1 in 30 of them will actually die from it. However some prostate cancer can be fast growing and spread to other areas of the body. What is a PSA Test? It is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in your blood. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen. PSA is a protein made by the
prostate which naturally leaks into the blood stream. The PSA level is often raised well before any other symptoms of prostate cancer develop. So the test is a useful tool for early diagnosis when used in conjunction with your medical & family history, changes or symptoms that you may be experiencing and a urine analysis. This enables your healthcare professional to obtain a complete picture and take the appropriate action when necessary. The Benefits of Having a Test: • It may provide reassurance if the test result is normal • It raises awareness and breaks down barriers so men access healthcare more routinely • It can help detect prostate cancer before any symptoms develop • Treatment in the early stages of prostate cancer could help you live longer and avoid the complications of cancer. A simple blood test carried out annually as part of a prostate consultation or as part of a more comprehensive yearly health MOT, could make all the difference to your future health. At Clinica Medicare all of our tests are carried out by our Nurse Practitioner who has many years’ experience in Men’s Health. Please contact the Clinic if you have any further queries or to book an appointment on 952 83 57 76.
KMG - FOR ALL YOUR PRINTING NEEDS - TEL 666 666 998 - 952 934 805
KEY TO MIJAS COSTA
15