Introduction
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which serves to shed light on the individuals affected by prostate cancer and the importance of early prostate cancer screening. During the month of September and every month following, we should to increase our efforts to educate men about the dangers of Prostate Cancer when it goes undetected. Every year, over 280,000 Americans are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and over 34,000 men die from it. The good news is that prostate cancer is highly treatable if detected early, so it’s crucial to spread awareness and encourage all men over 45 to get screened regularly, especially those who have a family history of prostate cancer.
Who is At-Risk for Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States, after skin cancer. All men over 45 are considered at risk, and despite advances in screening and treatment, Prostate cancer still poses a significant health threat to the male population. The primary risk factors for developing prostate cancer are age, family history, and ethnicity. Specifically, Black men are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer than other men. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and have a higher mortality rate.
The Importance of Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer screening is essential to detecting the disease early before it spreads beyond the prostate gland. The most common screening test is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The PSA level in the blood can indicate if there is an elevated risk of prostate cancer.
The Benefits of Regular PSA Screening
PSA screening plays a primary role in the early detection of prostate cancer, particularly in healthy, symptom-free men. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the marker that is screened for, is a protein produced in the prostate and secreted into the blood. An elevated level of PSA in the blood may indicate the presence of prostate cancer but also is a sign of inflammation or infection. Men with prostate cancer may not be aware of changes in their prostate health, as symptoms may not present immediately, which makes regular PSA screening crucial. By routinely checking PSA levels, potential abnormalities can be identified at an early stage, which leads to better treatment and a higher survival rate.
The Limitations of traditional PSA Screening
Although a valuable test for prostate cancer screening, the traditional PSA test has some limitations. For one, traditional PSA screening is only around 60 to 70 percent specific in detecting prostate cancer, meaning that 30 to 40 percent of results may turn out to be inaccurate. This is known as a false positive or false negative result and can lead to inadequate treatment or a missed diagnosis. Additionally, the sensitivity (rate of detection) for a traditional PSA screening ranges from 9 to 33 percent, meaning that the test does not detect most prostate cancers that are diagnosed later on.
Because there is some variability with the results, the test may need to be repeated in order to be confirmed. Therefore, it is essential to have a more specific screening method that offers better accuracy and reliability in cases of prostate cancer.
How OneTest Improves Current PSA Screening
The benefit of using OneTest as an enhanced PSA screening test is that it provides near-perfect detection for prostate cancer. In real-world cancer studies, The Onetest cancer screening algorithm helped detect every single case of prostate cancer in healthy, symptom-free individuals. OneTest is not a replacement for regular cancer screening but can serve as an excellent supplement. Using our A.I. algorithm and our patented testing approach, OneTest can maximize the odds of an early diagnosis.
With OneTest, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are receiving the most advanced and reliable screening available and increasing your chances of early detection for prostate cancer and more than 20 forms of cancer.
Lifestyle Changes that Can Affect Prostate Screening Outcomes
In addition to screening, there are several lifestyle changes that men can make to reduce their risk of prostate cancer. These include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and limiting the intake of red and processed meat. It is also essential to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to spread awareness and encourage men to take charge of their health. If you are over 45 years old and/or have a family history of prostate cancer, it is crucial to get screened regularly. OneTest offers a more advanced and reliable screening method that can detect prostate cancer early when it is more treatable. It is also crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. By taking these steps, we can save lives and help end prostate cancer once and for all.
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