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| The Oklahoma Blood Institute is the first donor center in
the United States to offer Prostate-Specific Antigen testing to male donors
over age 30. To cover the expense of testing, OBI charges $20.00
(for donors) and $25.00 (for non-donors). |
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| What is PSA? |
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| Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein enzyme produced almost exclusively
by normal prostate cells. PSA is found in the semen and blood of
all men. In the presence of obstruction, PSA cannot enter semen,
resulting in higher levels of PSA in the bloodstream. The test measures
PSA levels in blood only. An elevated PSA blood level may be a warning
sign in men for prostate cancer, other urinary tract diseases, or conditions
such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate gland). |
PSA level ranges are:
Normal: 0 - 4Ng/ML
Slight to moderate elevation: 4.1 - 8.0 Ng/ML
Elevated: over 8.0 Ng/ML
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| Who should have the PSA test? |
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| According to the National Institute of Health, 1 in 10 men in the
United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. African-American
men, or men with a family history of prostate cancer (for example
in the father or brother) are more likely to develop prostate cancer
during their lifetime. OBI encourages men between the age of 30 and
40 to receive 2 PSA tests to establish a baseline PSA level. After
age 40, men should consider yearly PSA tests. |
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| Why is PSA testing a donor benefit? |
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| OBI offers the PSA test to help men establish individual PSA baselines
and monitor changes. In order to cover the expense of testing,
OBI charges the nominal fee of $20.00 (for blood donors) and $25.00 (for
those unable to donate) for the PSA test. OBI tracks the PSA tests
of male donors and compares them to previous PSA levels. If a donor's
PSA level rises, the testing should be repeated and the donor may be advised
to see his family doctor or a urologist. As part of OBI's preventive
health care plan, donors receive written PSA test results within 2 weeks. |
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| How do donors get the PSA test? |
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| Blood samples needed for the PSA test are conveniently drawn at the time
of a blood donation. OBI offers the PSA test to male donors at all
fixed site locations. Contact an OBI Blood Drive Coordinator to receive
a PSA test at a bloodmobile site. OBI accepts cash, credit card,
or check to cover the cost of PSA tests. For more information, please
call the Oklahoma Blood Institute, (405) 297-5700. |
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| More than 165,000 men in the U.S. get prostate
cancer each year . . . . |
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| according to the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer
is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. African-American
men, men over 55 years old, and men with a family history of prostate
cancer are more likely to get prostate cancer during their lifetime. |
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| How is prostate cancer found |
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| For early detection of prostate cancer, men over 40 need: annual
checkups with digital rectal exams, yearly PSA test. If either result is
suspicious, more extensive tests may be needed. A physician makes the final
diagnosis from a biopsy (removing a small amount of prostate tissue
and examining it under a microscope). |
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| What are the warning signs? |
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| Cancer of the prostate usually involves enlargement of the gland. The
prostate is a walnut-size male sex gland, located below the bladder and
in front of the rectum. Any enlargement should be investigated. |
| Warning signs include: |
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having painful or burning urination |
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seeing blood in urine or semen |
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difficulty starting or an inability to urinate |
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| What if I have prostate cancer? |
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| Treatment for prostate cancer depends on the stage
of cancer, age and health. Some choices include: |
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surgery |
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hormone treatments |
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radiation therapy |
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anti-cancer drugs |
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| Doctors can explain the side effects of treatment and suggest
ways to deal with them. Regular follow-up exams are very important. |
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| Can I avoid prostate cancer? |
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| The causes of prostate cancer are not known, however,
experts do know the following: |
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a low-fat diet may reduce risk |
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no one can "catch" prostate cancer |
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58% of all prostate cancers are localized |
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average survival rate has improved to 78% |
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| For more information regarding prostate cancer, please
call the American Cancer Society toll free at 1-800-ACS-2345. |
