HealthProstate-specific membrane antigen Santa Fe: The continuing war on prostate cancer By Chris GreenwaltyNovember 1, 2022 Prostate-specific membrane antigen Santa Fe: Prostate-specific membrane antigen Santa Fe, or just PSA, is one of the most important weapons in the continuing war on prostate cancer. Regular screening with PSA can detect small prostate cancers that are unlikely to cause symptoms or death at an early stage and before they spread to other areas of the body. This prevents needless treatments, which can have long-lasting side effects and leave men impotent or incontinent when those treatments are no longer needed. What should you know about PSA? The prostate gland is located below the bladder. It wraps around the urethra and can be felt as a small bump during a digital rectal exam. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is produced by cells in the prostate. When PSA levels are high, it means that there may be an infection or inflammation in the prostate gland. An elevated level of PSA could also mean that you have prostate cancer, which often doesn’t cause symptoms but can lead to problems such as erectile dysfunction and urinary difficulties. Get screened: Every year, one in six men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. While it is not as common as skin cancer, prostate cancer is more deadly. Prostate-specific membrane antigen Santa Fe is a blood test that detects prostate-specific antigens and can detect early stages of prostate cancer before symptoms develop. Screening for prostate cancer can be done at any age by asking your doctor to perform a PSA test. Regular screening for prostate cancers has become an important part of the care plan for men who have been diagnosed with or are at risk for this disease. Monitor your risk factors: Prostate-specific membrane antigen is a protein found in the prostate gland. Men with an elevated level of Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen, or PSA, may have prostate cancer. Regular screening for prostate cancer is the most powerful weapon in the continuing war on prostate cancer. Early detection and treatment of prostate cancers can often lead to a cure. Screening can be done by a blood test that measures your PSA levels or by a digital rectal exam. It’s important to monitor your risk factors so you are more likely to notice any changes in your body. If you have any symptoms that don’t go away after two weeks, see a doctor immediately – it could be something as serious as prostate cancer. Keep track of your overall health: Regular screening for prostate cancer is the most powerful weapon in the continuing war on prostate cancer. Prostate-specific membrane antigen Santa Fe can detect early signs of prostate cancer. And, it’s a simple blood test that only takes a few minutes. Early detection means early treatment. Early detection also lowers your risk of dying from prostate cancer. It’s easy to schedule your PSA screening at Evolve Medical Centers and you can do it as often as you want because there are no associated risks with PSA testing.* Take action with early detection: Fortunately, the American Cancer Society’s guidelines for screening say that most men aged 50 and older should be screened with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. If your PSA levels are elevated, you may need more tests. But the good news is that there is no one right answer when it comes to how often men should get their PSA tested. You can speak with your doctor about what’s right for you. And even if you don’t have any symptoms, you’re still at risk of developing this disease—and it can be successfully treated. **Please note – this post is meant as a reminder of something that was already mentioned in the writing prompt above Prevention key to fighting against cancers: Regular screening for prostate cancer is the most powerful weapon in the continuing war with prostate cancers. This is because early detection can lead to a cure and many times lead to no treatment at all. Screening tests are widely available. PSA screening tests have been used since the 1980s, but they are not perfect.