Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate gland. A PSA check is a blood check that checks the extent of PSA in a person’s blood. Excessive ranges can point out various prostate points, together with irritation, an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH), or prostate most cancers.
An estimated 37 p.c of males ages 50 and older have had a PSA check previously yr. This screening check affords a strategy to detect prostate most cancers early — as much as seven years earlier than signs seem.
However sure issues, corresponding to drugs or an an infection, might trigger the quantity on this check to be falsely excessive or low. Listed below are 9 dos and don’ts earlier than a PSA blood check to make sure that your outcomes are as correct as potential.
1. Don’t: Quick Earlier than the Take a look at
Some blood assessments, just like the blood sugar check used to diagnose diabetes, require you to quick for eight hours or extra to make sure the proper outcomes. Not this one. “There’s no preparation for a PSA check,” says John L. Phillips, MD, chair and professor of urology at New York Medical Faculty in Valhalla, New York. Not consuming beforehand gained’t have any impact on the outcomes.
2. Do: Inform Your Physician Which Medicines You Take
A bunch of medicines referred to as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can have an effect on PSA ranges. These embody finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart), which docs prescribe to deal with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male-pattern baldness.
“They’re designed to dam the conversion of lively testosterone within the prostate. What’s going to occur is that it’s going to atrophy [shrink] the prostate and artificially decrease the PSA,” explains Gabriel Rodríguez, MD, a board-certified urologist at Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. Finasteride can decrease PSA outcomes by as a lot as 50 p.c.
A low PSA degree might create a false sense of safety, he says. You would possibly suppose your numbers look good, or that they’re taking place, when in truth they’d have been excessive. Talk about all of the drugs you’re taking together with your urologist earlier than the check. Ask if it is advisable to come off them, and if that’s the case, for the way lengthy.
The hair-loss drug minoxidil (Rogaine) is the same medicine that treats baldness, however it’s prescribed at a decrease dose and it shouldn’t have an effect on your PSA rating.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum are medicines that enhance testosterone ranges. “Typically males will take over-the-counter libido medication or testosterone dietary supplements. And in the event that they’re ‘juicing up’ within the gymnasium or they’re taking testosterone with out supervision, it’s thought to extend the PSA by growing prostatic stimulation,” says Dr. Phillips.
3. Don’t: Go Biking Earlier than the Take a look at
Most varieties of train shouldn’t have an effect on PSA ranges, with these exceptions: Using a motorbike, bike, or Jet Ski places strain on the prostate. “It’s going to injure prostatic cells, in order that they’re going to secrete extra PSA into the bloodstream, which shall be picked up on the examination,” says Dr. Rodríguez. To keep away from a false-positive outcome, cease doing these kind of actions about 48 hours earlier than your check.
4. Do: Get Examined for COVID
When you have signs like a fever, cough, sore throat, or lack of style or scent, get a COVID check. The virus can typically elevate the PSA degree. One potential purpose is that irritation from a COVID an infection damages the prostate, inflicting a few of its cells to shed into the bloodstream. The COVID vaccine could have the same impact.
Ask your physician how lengthy to attend after a COVID an infection or vaccine earlier than getting a PSA check.
5. Do: Take a Break From Intercourse
Throughout ejaculation, the prostate contracts to propel prostatic and seminal fluid out of the penis. The contraction causes minor trauma to the prostate gland, which then releases small quantities of PSA into the bloodstream, notes Rodríguez.
It’s greatest to keep away from intercourse or masturbation proper earlier than the check, however you don’t have to attend too lengthy. “The PSA normally returns to regular inside two days in nearly 100% of individuals,” says Phillips. “So avoiding intercourse longer than two days might be pointless.”
6. Do: Wait Till After Urologic Procedures
Any process that locations devices or a scope in or close to the prostate would possibly injury this gland. Prostate biopsy and cystoscopy — a check used to diagnose bladder situations — would possibly briefly increase PSA ranges. Colonoscopy is one other potential concern, as a result of the scope passes very near the prostate on its means up the colon, says Rodríguez.
7. Do: Area Out Your Digital Rectal Examination
The digital rectal examination (DRE) is one other check for prostate most cancers, through which the physician inserts a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum to examine for any lumps or different adjustments.
Whether or not a DRE will increase PSA has been debated. Some analysis confirmed that males’s PSA ranges rose after this prostate most cancers check. Different research didn’t discover that impact.
If the DRE does increase PSA, it probably gained’t be a giant rise. “The rectal examination is simply 4 seconds,” says Phillips. “It‘s not going to considerably elevate the PSA.” Simply in case, although, your physician can do the PSA blood draw earlier than the DRE.
8. Do: Wait if You Have a Catheter
Some males want a catheter — a tube positioned by way of the penis into the bladder to empty urine. It’s used for urinary incontinence, urinary retention, and typically after prostate or genital surgical procedure.
Inform your physician you probably have a catheter. As a result of this tube can typically injury the prostate, it’s possible you’ll must delay the PSA check for as much as six weeks after it’s eliminated.
9. Do: Deal with a Urinary Tract An infection
It’s widespread to have a better PSA degree after a urinary tract an infection (UTI) due to the irritation or irritation that the an infection causes. Your physician can prescribe antibiotics to clear up the an infection. Irritation of the prostate gland, referred to as prostatitis, may additionally enhance PSA ranges.
The Takeaway
The PSA check is a vital a part of screening for prostate most cancers. It may well detect cancerous adjustments years earlier than signs seem.
Sure issues, like infections and drugs, could trigger false excessive or low outcomes and make the check much less dependable.
Speak to your urologist about tips on how to put together on your PSA check and comply with their instructions to assist enhance the accuracy of your outcomes.
