Prostate problems affect approximately two out of every three men, mostly after 60 years old. The prostate gland has the urethra running through it, so when it enlarges, the swelling will affect the urine stream. The symptoms of an enlarged prostate are frequent urination, weak urination, leftover urine in the bladder, needing to pee at night, and trouble starting to urinate. An enlarged prostate is called ‘benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). When the prostate in men starts to enlarge, it is usually benign. However cancer cells can begin to grow, and it causes the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to increase.
The prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) measures the level of the antigen in a man’s blood. It is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate. The specific antigen circulates normally throughout the entire body at low levels all of the time. Continue reading