Why a simple blood test is a lifesaver for men
Did you know that 50% of men say they ‘bury their head in the sand’ when it comes to their prostate health – even when prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease amongst men?
At Haven Medical, we understand how easy it is to put things off – especially if they feel embarrassing, uncomfortable, or simply aren’t causing you immediate pain. Yet with 1 in 8 men expected to develop prostate cancer during their lifetime, procrastinating over a routine blood test simply doesn’t make sense.
What is the prostate?
The size of a walnut, the prostate sits just below your bladder and wraps around the tube that carries urine from the bladder.
A protein called ‘prostate-specific-antigen’ (PSA) is made by the prostate, and whilst some leakage into the blood supply is completely normal, elevated amounts can indicate:
- urinary infections
- inflammation
- an enlarged prostate
- prostate cancer
Sir Chris Hoy made headline news in 2024 when he declared he had terminal prostate cancer. He had a complete lack of symptoms, with the cancer only discovered after going for a checkup about recurrent shoulder pain. Hoy can be credited with the 8-fold increase in men seeking PSA tests – an encouraging sign that things are moving in the right direction.
Quick, simple and easy to do, a PSA blood test is the ideal way of putting your mind at rest and identifying any issues before they have the chance to develop further. If the results aren’t quite right, treatment can be sought early – a step that can significantly increase your chances of making a full recovery.
The Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
It’s very common for early-stage prostate cancer to have no symptoms – hence the importance of awareness, checks and why regular PSA blood testing can genuinely save lives.
Specific symptoms to look out for include:
- Blood in urine or semen
- Needing to urinate more than usual
- A weak urine flow / taking a long time to urinate
- Feeling like you haven’t emptied your bladder fully (or being unable to)
- Difficulty in starting to urinate
Whilst there isn’t a minimum recommended age to start screening, 40 is a good age for those with risk factors (men with a family history of cancers, or black men), whilst others should begin at 45.
What is a PSA Test?
A simple blood test is all that is needed for the gold-standard PSA to be carried out. If you choose to have a test with Haven Medical (tests are available within 1-2 days), you will be contacted with your results within a few days. Your doctor will discuss what your results mean and whether any further follow-up is needed.
Before the Test
You should abstain from sexual activity and any exercise that elevates your heart rate for 48 hours before the blood test. Both of these can affect the amounts of PSA released into the blood.
If you would like to book a PSA test call 01202 110303 or email
admin.canfordcliffs@thehavenmedical.com today.
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