Ive told you in the past that the PSA test is useless. Now theres evidence that it might be worth something after all.
If you are a man in your mid to late 40s, and your PSA is in the top 20% of normal PSA levels, a Swedish study found that you will have a much higher risk of advanced prostate cancer 17 years later.
The researchers found that those men in their 40s who did not eventually get cancer had a baseline PSA of 0.54ng/mL. Those who went on to get cancer averaged higher at 1.22. If your baseline PSA (in that age group) is between 1.01-2.00, your increased risk is sevenfold. That rises quickly as PSA rises. If you are between 2.01-3.00, your risk is 21.5 times higher and your risk increases to 120-fold higher if your PSA level is 3.01 or higher.
This certainly increases the controversy over whether to do the test or not. I remain unconvinced that any conventional therapy, other than hormonal, is worth anything. That said, it might be of value to get a one-time test to determine your future risk. Why? I believe in prevention more than treatment after the fact. I think it might be worth it even if you are not in your 40s anymore.
Assuming this study is correct, it may enable you to assess your long-term risk. It would allow you to take steps now to lower your risk. Ive covered preventive strategies for prostate cancer many times in these pages. These include, but are not limited to: a meatless diet, vitamin D (up to 10,000 IU daily), selenium (200 mcg daily), DIM, omega-3 fatty acids, lycopene, resveratrol, and more. Please see my website for more information (see page 6 for login information).
Ref: Family Practice News, June 15, 2007.