Beginner’s Guide
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO PROSTATE CANCER
Basic Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer
Free PSA Test
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Simple Blood Test
Many cases are found by using the simple blood test for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA leaks from the normal prostate cells in small amounts, but an elevated rate of leakage may indicate the presence of prostate cancer cells.
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PSA Results
PSA readings of up to 2.5 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) are considered normal for a person in his forties. As men grow older, an increase in PSA is normal. Thus, a reading of 3.9 for a 70 year old would be considered normal. (African-Americans should lower these readings by about 0.5). High PSA often indicates the disease is outside the prostate capsule.
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Monitoring
If the PSA is abnormally high and the doctor feels something in the gland, a biopsy is usually performed. PSA is also used after therapy as a monitor to indicate therapy failure and if PC is under control.
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Advances in Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Key findings from the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting
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Men with prostate cancer could significantly reduce the chances of the disease worsening by eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil, according to new research by UC San Francisco.
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With Mourning and other recently diagnosed celebrities openly talking about their prostate cancer journeys, the hope is that more men will more freely talk about what’s the second most common cancer diagnosis among men.
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