Do i need a psa test? | members only

If your PSA rises above the number 4, it’s considered to be high, but you should look at the numbers within a context. For example, it’s important to keep in mind that a high reading,

especially in older patients, does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. (The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against screening for prostate cancer after age

70.)  It might indicate prostatitis, which is a benign inflammation of the prostate. Or a high number can mean you have a urinary tract infection. If the number spikes dramatically, it’s

more concerning than if the number rises slowly. And guys, I recommend all my male patients see a urologist, a doctor who specializes in the urinary tract and men’s reproductive systems.

After all, women make annual appointments with their gynecologist. Why shouldn’t men routinely visit their urologist? Some of my patients hesitate because they’re afraid a visit might be

painful. I want you to know that changes have been made in the way urologists look at prostate issues. In the past, if prostate cancer was suspected, it was common for urologists to perform

an uncomfortable biopsy. Now, more often, they’ll opt for a painless MRI or ultrasound as the initial diagnostic tool. When you have a non-cancerous enlarged prostate, medications can help,

but they may have side effects that include reducing sex drive and affecting the flow of semen. Discussing the pros and cons of any medication with your doctor is always a good idea. If your

PSA test and follow-up MRI or ultrasound indicate prostate cancer, treatment options can include surgery, radiation, hormone and chemotherapy, as well as cryotherapy, which freezes and

kills the cancer cells. If the cancer is small, slow-growing and contained in the prostate, your urologist might recommend a “wait-and-see” approach. This approach might also be warranted if

you have other health issues or are an older patient. When you’re diagnosed and treated early for prostate cancer, your chances of living your life cancer-free are excellent, as high as 99

percent, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Since a PSA test is painless, usually covered by insurance or Medicare, and can save your life, without hesitation, I say — if you’re 40

years or older — go for it!