Do you worry about prostate cancer? This test could catch it early

The prostate health index (PHI) is a blood test which evaluates more specifically the risk of prostate cancer than a traditional PSA test. The Phi combines three different PSA tests to create a risk score. This can reduce the need for biopsies in people who run a risk of cancer.

A PHI test uses three different forms of the specific antigen of prostate (PSA), a protein that your prostate is that can become high if you have conditions such as prostate enlargement, prostate infection or prostate cancer. These three forms include:

• Total PSA: The total level of PSA in your blood
• Free PSA: The part of PSA which is not attached to proteins in your blood
• P2PSA: A variation of PSA which can be specific to prostate cancer

The phi combines the measurements in a formula to produce a score. It gives a more precise representation of the risk of prostate cancer compared to the traditional PSA test.

The Phi test produces only one score ranging from 0 to 55 + This may reveal information about your risk of prostate cancer. Higher scores and lower scores can both reveal different information.

A higher score (greater than 35) Indicates a greater chance of prostate cancer that needs treatment. The test is not diagnostic, however – a prostate biopsy is necessary for a final diagnosis. If you have a slightly high score, your health care providers can also examine your other prostate cancer risk factors before determining the next steps.

A Lower score (under 35) suggests a lower risk of prostate cancer that requires treatment. If you have a lower phi score, health care providers can choose to monitor you over time rather than recommend a biopsy.

The prostate health index offers several advantages compared to the traditional total PSA test. These include:

• Precision: The PSA Total test cannot differentiate between the potential causes of an increase in the PSA level. The combination of the phi of three variations of PSA makes it more specific in the detection of prostate cancer.
• Reduced biopsies: Because it is more specific, Phi tests reduce the need for unnecessary prostate biopsies, sparing potential costs, discomfort and other complications of a biopsy.
• Early cancer detection: Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms before reaching an advanced stage. PIH is useful in early detection of prostate cancer, in particular cases that require treatment.

It is important that people who run a higher risk of prostate cancer plan to get the Phi test. Talk to a health care provider of your risk, which can be higher if you:

• Have family history of prostate cancer
• Are 50 or more
• Are black
• Have experienced genetic genes of genes KRCA1 Or BRCA2

In addition, men with slightly higher PSA levels from 4 to 10 – sometimes called a diagnostic gray zone – can undergo the test to confirm whether their PSA levels are probably higher due to cancer or other prostate condition.

The prostate health index is a simple blood test. A health professional may ask you to sit down comfortably on a chair. In some cases, they may also ask you to lie down. Then you can expect the blood drawing process involving these steps:

• The health care provider cleans the area with an antiseptic solution (germ killers).
• They put an elastic band on the top of the arm to help the area swell with blood.
• They insert a needle in a vein in your arm to collect blood in a bottle or a hermetic tube attached to the needle.
• They remove the needle and band from your arm and apply a cotton or bandage on the needle site.

The test generally takes place in a diagnostic laboratory or the clinic of your health care provider. The cost of the test varies, but generally varies between $ 35 and $ 370. You can speak to your health insurance provider, if you have one, to help determine if they will cover the cost of the test.

The prostate health index (PHI) is a blood test for prostate cancer screening. By combining measures of three different variations in the specific antigen of prostate (PSA), it offers better precision, reduces the need for unnecessary biopsies and can help early detection of prostate cancer which needs treatment.