How much is the cost of PSA test in Nigeria?
September is ＰＲＯＳＴＡＴＥ ＣＡＮＣＥＲ
awareness month. Good time to do your check up!! There are two ways:
Blood test called a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA is a substance your prostate makes. This test measures the level of PSA in your blood. Your PSA level may be high if you have prostate cancer and for many other reasons, such as having an enlarged prostate, a prostate infection, or taking certain medicines.
Digital rectal examination, when a health care provider inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into a man’s rectum to feel the prostate for anything abnormal, such as cancer.
What is PSA?
PSA means prostate-specific antigen, and it is a protein produced by the prostate that’s found mostly in the semen with very small amounts released into the bloodstream. When there is a problem within the prostate, more PSA is released into the bloodstream, and rising PSA can be detected on a simple blood test. High PSA levels can be caused by a variety of circumstances, but since prostate cancer cells usually make more PSA than normal tissue, high PSA levels can be an early sign that cancer cells are present.
What are the advantages of getting a PSA test?
As with any cancer, the earlier you detect it the better. Elevated PSA results may be a sign of prostate cancer that could spread or quickly grow and cause other problems. Early detection and treatment can catch cancer before it becomes life-threatening.
What are the risks of getting a PSA test?
The test itself is not risky – it’s a simple blood draw. High PSA levels don’t always mean cancer and you will need to discuss with your doctor other factors that could be contributing to an elevated PSA.
What is a normal PSA test result?
There is no specific normal or abnormal level of PSA within your blood, and various factors can cause your PSA levels to fluctuate. The American Cancer Society states that most healthy men have levels under 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood, but that lower PSA levels don’t guarantee someone is free of cancer which is why the PSA test is often done along with additional prostate tests. Doctors will often look at how quickly your PSA is going up over time as an indication for prostate cancer.
What if a screening test returns high levels of PSA?
The PSA test is usually done in conjunction with a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check the prostate. If a suspicious abnormality is detected along with elevated PSA levels, a doctor may recommend additional tests to determine the nature of the problem. If prostate cancer is suspected, the doctor will recommend a prostate biopsy.
What do experts recommend?
It is recommended that men age 55 and older discuss the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening with their doctors. This discussion should include a review of your risk factors. If you have a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors, it may be beneficial to have a conversation with your doctor sooner.
Age, race, family history, inherited gene mutations including the BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes, alcohol, smoking and diet are all risk factors for prostate cancer.
How much is the cost of PSA test in Nigeria?
How much is PSA test in Nigeria? The cost of PSA test in Nigeria is around #10,000 – #20,000 Naira in both government hospital and private laboratories. PSA test cost in cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Warri, Benin-city Abuja and Kaduna is around #15,000.
The article on PSA was culled from Summa Health
Mimosa Matters.
