Prostate-specific antigen, PSA is a protein secreted by the prostate into the blood stream. PSA screening was first demonstrated in 1991 and this test has been widely conducted for more than 20 years. Whenever the prostate is irritated, inflamed, enlarged, or has cancer, PSA levels may rise. It is generally recommended that men over the age of 40 have a PSA level done. The original hope was that PSA screening would reduce cases of prostate cancer through earlier detection.

Now with more than 20 years of compiling data on PSA levels, researchers have suddenly begun to question the meaning of a PSA level. It is generally accepted that a level greater than four indicates some type of pathology in the prostate. However, previous studies have indicated that a man’s PSA level may fluctuate over time; therefore, treating one simple elevation in PSA as if it were cancer is not advisable. Automatically treating an elevated PSA with a biopsy is not necessarily prudent, meaning that many men have been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer erroneously. In addition to this, many men were told they did not have prostate cancer based on PSA findings, and subsequently did have cancer. Therefore PSA level is not automatically indicative of prostate cancer.

According to research from Northwestern University’s Feinburg School of Medicine, 66% of men who had rising PSA levels and subsequent normal biopsies were eventually diagnosed with prostate cancer. This demonstrates the value of evaluating the individual’s PSA trend (velocity) in deciding whether to pursue a biopsy. It is wise to evaluate PSA level, but acting on one simple test is no longer considered the best option. It seems more important to follow the trend of a rising PSA level and the velocity with which it rises rather than strictly the absolute number. Although this test has been around for more than 20 years, we realize now that it is not clear representative of whether or not a man has prostate cancer.

The PSA level should be used in conjunction with the physical findings and evaluated on an individual basis. It appears however that how rapidly the PSA level rises is more reliable in predicting whether or not cancer is present.

Prostate Formula by Vita Logic is an excellent blend of herbs to nourish and protect the prostate. It contains saw palmetto, pygeum, nettle and other herbs at therapeutic levels to assist men experiencing prostate problems, including enlargement of the prostate as well as prostate cancer. Prostate Formula by Vita Logic should be considered by men wishing to optimize prostate health.