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More research is needed, but taking tadalafil (Cialis) could be helpful for men with BPH.

Researchers have identified several genetic variations that raise prostate cancer risk, variations that may also account for the higher incidence of prostate cancer in African Americans.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have developed a new blood test for prostate cancer, which in a preliminary study proved better than the PSA test at identifying which men have cancer. The new test measures levels of the protein EPCA-2, which — unlike PSA — is produced almost exclusively by cancerous tissue.

I have used finasteride (Proscar) to treat my BPH, and it has reduced the size of my prostate. However, my body’s production of semen has diminished, too. Will switching to dutasteride (Avodart) solve that problem?

Searching PubMed in five easy steps

You can find and read the studies that are referenced on this Web site by searching PubMed, a resource of the National Library of Medicine. The abstracts (short summaries) of the studies are available for free, but in most cases you will have to pay to obtain the full report.

Here’s how to access an abstract:

1. Open up your browser’s window while connected to the Internet. Type www.pubmed.gov and hit return.

In short, yes. If you take Flomax (tamsulosin), be sure to tell your eye doctor before having cataract surgery.

Three doctors describe some surgical options for treating an enlarged prostate, including the ones they think patients prefer.

PSA testing is not merely a prostate cancer screening tool. After treatment, PSA monitoring is the primary method of measuring treatment success and detecting early signs of cancer recurrence.

In a business, due diligence means doing your homework, exploring all the options, and taking reasonable steps to protect yourself. When trying to make a decision about how to treat early-stage prostate cancer, taking time to conduct due diligence is absolutely vital for three reasons:

• No expert consensus exists about which treatment for early-stage prostate cancer is best (or when treatment is best postponed).

An authoritative panel concludes that in older men, the PSA blood test causes more problems than benefits.

A randomized trial of over 35,000 men shows that vitamin E and selenium supplements fail to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In this video, Dr. Anthony Komaroff discusses the findings.

Understanding PSA

Your PSA level is moderately elevated and increasing at a worrisome rate. Follow-up is needed. However, keep in mind that your risk of prostate cancer still less than 40 percent.

Your options include

• referral to a urologist (prostate specialist)
• repeat PSA testing in several months
• measuring your “free” PSA level — This special way of testing your PSA level may help to decide if a biopsy is needed. High levels of free PSA are reassuring, while low levels are worrisome for cancer.

Understanding PSA

This may be a normal fluctuation in your PSA level. An increase in your PSA of less than 0.75 ng/ml over one year is generally felt to be reassuring. Repeat testing in 3-6 months is a reasonable option. Discuss this with your doctor.

You have reached the end of this guide. What would you like to do?

• Go back to the beginning of this guide.
• Learn more about PSA testing.
• Learn more about prostate cancer.

Understanding

Understanding PSA

Knowing your previous PSA levels is helpful, but not necessary. Nonetheless, your PSA level is mildly elevated. Follow-up is needed. Keep in mind that your risk of prostate cancer is still less than 40 percent.

Your options include

• referral to a urologist (prostate specialist)
• repeat PSA testing in several months
• measuring your “free” PSA level — This special way of testing your PSA level may help to decide if a biopsy is needed. High levels of free PSA are reassuring, while low levels are worrisome for cancer.

Understanding PSA

The next thing to determine is how fast your PSA levels has been rising. You can figure this out if your PSA was checked within the past year or so. You should subtract your last PSA result from your current results. For example, if your PSA was 4.5 last year and is 5.0 this year, it has increased by 0.5 points (ng/ml) over the past year. A quickly rising PSA is worrisome, while a slowly rising PSA (or PSA level that goes down) is reassuring.

Has your PSA level been checked within the past year?

Understanding PSA

Ejaculation or vigorous bicycle riding can cause a small increase in your PSA level. Consider repeating your PSA test in two weeks, after you’ve avoided bicycle riding and intercourse for at least 48 hours. If your repeat PSA level returns to normal (less than four), this is excellent news. If your PSA test remains elevated, further evaluation is probably needed. Your options include:

• referral to a urologist (prostate specialist)

Understanding PSA

PSA levels can also go up for other reasons. For example, riding a bicycle can put pressure on the prostate and cause a temporary spike in your PSA level. The same is true for ejaculation during sex or masturbation. In general, these activities cause PSA levels to rise only a little, and the PSA should return to normal within several days.

Did you ride a bicycle, have sexual intercourse or ejaculate in the 48 hours before blood was drawn for your PSA test?

• Yes, I did.

Understanding PSA

Your PSA level may be falsely elevated. This means that although your PSA level is above normal, there is a good chance that you do not have prostate cancer.

Contact your doctor. You may need antibiotic treatment if you have evidence of a urinary tract infection or prostatitis. You should also talk to your doctor about repeating your PSA test in 1-2 months. If your repeat PSA level returns to normal (less than four), this is excellent news. If your PSA test remains elevated, further evaluation is probably needed. Your options include

Understanding PSA

Your PSA level is moderately elevated. About one in three men with a moderately elevated PSA level will be found to have early stage prostate cancer if a biopsy is performed. Early stage prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms, and your prostate may feel totally normal when examined by your doctor (digital rectal exam). One piece of good news is that early stage prostate cancer can often be cured.

Understanding PSA

Contact your doctor. Your PSA level is high. Your risk of prostate cancer is greater than 50 percent. Immediate follow-up is warranted. Speak to your doctor about referral to a urologist (prostate specialist) or arranging for a prostate biopsy.

You have reached the end of this guide. What would you like to do?

• Go back to the beginning of this guide.
• Learn more about PSA testing.
• Learn more about prostate cancer.