When should men get a prostate exam? According to the American Cancer Society, men and people who were assigned male at birth (AMAB) should have their first prostate exam by age 50. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you should consider having your first prostate exam at age 45. As part of a prostate-cancer exam, your doctor may perform this test, which is used to check the size of the prostate gland and to look for abnormal bumps or other changes. But if you do it When should I begin having PSA blood tests? A family history may influence when you should begin PSA testing. Ancestry or known history of PCa in male relatives is a critical risk factor. A genetic test such as Myriad’s MyRisk ® Hereditary Cancer Testing is a good hedge against knowing if your family genes or germline carries a risk for cancers.. Don’t work out right before your PSA test. Vigorous exercise can cause a “bump” in PSA, with bicycle riding being the biggest culprit. Do tell your doctor if: You are taking Proscar or Avodart for BPH (benign prostate enlargement), or Propecia for hair loss. All three of these drugs can throw off your PSA level, making it seem lower than Overview What is a PSA test? A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of PSA in your body. PSA is a protein that your prostate gland makes. Normal and cancerous prostate tissue make PSA. However, prostate cancer tends to produce it in higher amounts. High PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer. You should discuss the pros and cons of having a PSA test with your doctor. If you do receive a PSA test, your doctor will need to put the results in perspective with your age, how long you can be expected to live, your family medical history, your race and the results of any previous PSA tests. If you decide to have a PSA test, your doctor will give you a digital rectal examination to feel the prostate gland. This is to find out if the prostate gland is enlarged or feels abnormal in any way. In England, the PSA test is available free to any well man aged 50 and over who requests it. 1BbIUC.

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