Along the same lines:
Common Sense Family Doctor: Every screening test is a calculated gamble
The Cancer Industry: Hype vs. Reality - Scientific American Blog Network
Please guys, think carefully before you react to an elevated PSA test.
Along the same lines:
Common Sense Family Doctor: Every screening test is a calculated gamble
It's debatable whether most guys should have a PSA checked at all. For colon cancer screening (colonoscopy), however, I think the data is better. There is debate about whether screening should start at 45 or 50 (most current recs are 50 or 5 years before your relative was diagnosed if you have a family history). Colon cancer is a killer, but often is slow-moving so it can be caught early enough to be curable.
The larger problem is overtesting. Many people, for example, want to have "full-body scans" to "see what's going on" or "where they're at." While in some cases there have been some fortunate findings from these things, you are more likely to have a false positive that subjects you to needless worry or perhaps to further tests that carry their own risk. The people and companies who charge you $$$ for these tests will tell you one side of the story. Do your own research. The USPSTF is a good place to start, although their web site kind of sucks: Home - US Preventive Services Task Force
Along these same lines - colonoscopies
The Dangers Of Colonoscopies | Roar of Wolverine
I think the answer is: don't smoke; dont be fat; dont have insulin insensitivity or diabetes. Were all going to need to eat more meat, too.
Not enough people are going to read this.
From Wikipedia:
Do you see anything here that is interesting, that may in fact indicate something other than prostate cancer?Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), also known as gamma-seminoprotein or kallikrein-3 (KLK3), is a glycoprotein enzyme encoded in humans by the KLK3 gene. PSA is a member of the kallikrein-related peptidase family and is secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland.
PSA is produced for the ejaculate, where it liquefies semen in the seminal coagulum and allows sperm to swim freely.[5] It is also believed to be instrumental in dissolving cervical mucus, allowing the entry of sperm into the uterus.[6]
PSA is present in small quantities in the serum of men with healthy prostates, but is often elevated in the presence of prostate cancer or other prostate disorders.[7] PSA is not a unique indicator of prostate cancer, but may also detect prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia.[8]
cervical mucus ??