One of the most common types of cancer that influences males is prostate cancer. In the United States , in fact , there is one case for each 6 men. The cancer grows gradually and is usually concentrated on the prostate gland. There are patients who do not show any symptoms as their cancer grows too gradually while others grow so fast that they have to be treated immediately .

One way to identify prostate cancer is throughout the measurement of the prostate PSA level. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is the protein in nature present and created by the cells in the prostate gland. Normal men have small amounts of the PSA whilst those with cancer have high levels of this serum.

The test is conducted throughout blood sampling in which the PSA is measured. Prostate PSA is the most efficient method to detect prostate cancer and is required in order to take care of the cancer at the early stages of its growth .

Most of the treatments for prostate cancer will depend on the prostate PSA level. If the results of the tests reflect high prostate PSA level, the doctor will prescribe a series of blood tests and extra tests to make a verified and exact diagnosis.

Depending on the outcome of the checks prescribed , the physician will arrange any or combination of the most common therapies for this cancer. One such method is watchful waiting, which includes nothing but meetings to monitor the enlargement of the cancer cells. Using this process, the doctor will keep track of the prostate PSA levels of the patient. Rectal tests are required for any changes in the size of the organ.

As the growth for some is really slow, there really is no requirement to intervene. It is just suggested that the patient continue his appointments for permanent observation. Patients should be aware about the indications especially where their urination is concerned. Most of the symptoms are detected through several problems with urinating.

Men aged 50 and over are recommended for prostate PSA tests to detect cancer. These older men are more at possibility of developing the cancer cells because prostate glands grow bigger as they become old and they also become more apt to the cancer.

The usual prostate PSA level for men 60 years old and below is about 2.5 ng/ml. If older than 60, a man can have as high as 4.0 ng/ml because the prostate gland may have already enlarged at this point . Enlarged prostate glands produce more PSA. Cells affected with cancer can produce up to 10 times more PSA than a regular, normal prostate gland cell. So, when the cancer cells grow, there will be higher levels of PSA that go into the bloodstream and that is why a PSA test is expected to discover prostate cancer.

There are cases when the PSA levels are high but the patient has no cancer. The reason of the spike in the prostate PSA is because to Benign Prostatic Hypertorphy (BPH) or inflammation of the prostate, which could also enhance the production of PSA.