PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen, and is a test that is used to determine if a patient is suffering from prostate cancer. An elevated PSA can be caused by other factors, but prostate cancer is the most severe cause, and should be ruled out if the PSA test is high. When the PSA is high, a biopsy of the prostate may be the next best move.
Instructions
1. Talk to your doctor to find out if your age is being considered. The PSA can increase naturally with age; however not all doctors take this into account. If you are a young man, the test is more likely to be accurate, because your PSA is not naturally elevated.
2. Refrain from sex or ejaculation for at least two days prior to the test.
3. Avoid stimulating your prostate for two days, as well. A prostate massage, receiving anal sex, or even riding a bike can stimulate your prostate and raise your PSA levels.
4. Consider postponing the test if you have had a prostate biopsy within the last four weeks. PSA levels can remain higher than average for that long after a prostate biopsy.
5. Avoid the use of painkillers for a couple of weeks before the PSA test, including over-the-counter drugs. Also, talk to your doctor about any medications or herbs that you are taking. Some medications can falsely lower your PSA levels.
Tags: prostate biopsy, prostate cancer, your doctor, your levels, your prostate