A Very Important “Point” About Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate cancer rates in Michigan are a couple of points higher than the national average. You might think, “So what’s a couple of points? I’m one in a million!”
Just one or two points might be all it takes for you to be cancer-positive if that point reflects a gain in your annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood reading. If you haven’t gotten a baseline PSA test yet, it might be time – even if you’re younger than 50.
Men in their 40s can develop prostate cancer – 37% of the cases in 2019 occurred in men between ages 45 and 64, the Centers for Disease Control reported in May 2024.
If these facts don’t bring the point home about establishing your personal PSA baseline, then maybe this will: September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to prostate cancer prevention.
That’s why, this month, the Michigan Institute of Urology (MIU) wants to stress this important point—0.75. MIU wants men to be aware that if their PSA level increases by 0.75 in one year, it could be prostate cancer.
What’s Your PSA?
Your PSA baseline is a measure of the antigens your prostate cells produce while you’re still at low risk of developing prostate cancer. Because this possibility increases once you hit 50, your doctor could recommend you schedule your first blood screening at age 45 or even 40, depending on other risk factors. These include:
- If you are African American – Prostate cancer develops in African American men more than men of any other race and at younger ages. Further, the disease is twice as likely to be fatal.
- If cancer runs in the family – Men with fathers and/or brothers diagnosed with prostate cancer carry higher chances of the disease.
- If you smoke or have weight issues – Obesity, smoking, and a diet of high-fat foods (even if you’re not obese) increase the chances of cancer cells developing.
Antigen 101
If you’re wondering what antigens even are, you’re in luck. Here’s an easy explainer.
Antigens are a protein that all of your cells make, including the cells in your prostate. These are prostate-specific antigens. But here’s the thing: because all cells make antigens, cancerous cells do, too.
When abnormal cells in your prostate begin dividing uncontrollably, your PSA level will rise accordingly. This is why your baseline is essential. If a follow-up PSA reading reflects an increase of .75 or more points, it could indicate a cancerous growth – or something else. Elevated PSA levels also can signal an enlarged prostate.
But How Can I Tell if My Baseline is Healthy?
Baselines vary among men. You might have a PSA level of 7 and be cancer-free, while a man with a PSA of 4 (once considered a “normal” level) has cancer.
However, if your PSA rises by more than 0.75 in one year, it can be a warning that cancer cells are growing.
However, inflammation, urinary tract infections, ejaculation, and vigorous exercise (for a day or two) can also trigger a rise in PSA levels. Keep these factors in mind when scheduling a screening.
Home Remedies to Lower Your PSA
The healthier your body, the better its chances of keeping cancer cells in check. Studies suggest these practices might help reduce PSA levels:
Eating whole foods – The nutrients in fruits, vegetables, and legumes support your immune system, which attacks cancer cells.
Getting vitamin D – This vitamin, which comes naturally from the sun, also supports immunity. Other sources of D include milk, orange juice, cereals, and supplements.
Regular exercise—Weightlifting, aerobic exercise, and even walking can reduce PSA production (but take a rest day before the test).
These practices can help you lower your baseline, but if your PSA levels rise by more than 0.75 in one year, ask your doctor about other tests and your best next steps, including clinical trials. Because you are one in a million, we can assist with a treatment that suits you.
If you have trouble urinating or see blood in your urine or semen, contact one of our nearby physicians for a prostate screening. Otherwise, click here to learn more about prostate cancer, including tests and treatments.
