Project Description
PROSTATE BASIS
This panel measures the total amount of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), the amount of free PSA and the ratio between the two parameters.
This panel can be used in men for the screening and follow-up of both benign and malignant abnormalities of the prostate (prostate cancer).
The test is performed on a random blood draw (serum). You do not need to be sober.
It is recommended that this check-up be performed annually.
Basic check-up prostate
Screening via PSA test and free PSA
In case of abnormal value discuss result with your physician
Make an appointment now by calling 051 / 920 911
All tests are conducted in collaboration with doctors and specialists from AZ Delta.
You can make an appointment quickly and discreetly.
051/920 911
How do I prepare?
The optimal time for blood collection is inthe morning after bed rest and overnight fasting. Fasting means not eating and drinking only water after 10 p.m. the night before.
Not being sober mainly affects the determination of substances resorbed from the diet as such (glucose, triglycerides, etc.). Indirectly, lipemic samples (elevated triglycerides) can technically interfere with the determinations. A number of parameters (e.g., iron, phosphate, cortisol) also show fluctuations during the day.
Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA
PSA is a protein produced by the prostate, both healthy and diseased prostates, and is measurable in the blood of all men. With diseases of the prostate, we often see an increase in PSA in the blood. However, an increased PSA level certainly does not mean that prostate cancer is present. We also see this in prostate inflammation (prostatitis) or in an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy, BPH).
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. Previously, men aged 55 years and older in Belgium could undergo PSA/free PSA screening with NIHDI reimbursement. Results of the large European ERSPC study showed that PSA screening is useful, and can prevent an average of 2 deaths for every 1,000 men who had the PSA test performed. Today, screening for prostate cancer with PSA is no longer reimbursed. The reason is that a lot of prostate cancers progress slowly, with metastasis only after 5 to 13 years, and therefore account for only 3% of deaths. So whether a man gets screened is now considered a personal choice.
With abnormal PSA/free PSA test, a consultation with a physician is definitely indicated. Your doctor will then discuss further options with you. In addition to screening by PSA/free PSA, prostate cancer can also be screened by rectal touch: in this case, the doctor uses his finger in your rectum to examine the volume, hardness and regularity of your prostate gland. If disturbed, a tissue biopsy may provide more clarity. With abnormal PSA/free PSA test, other more specialized tests such as the Phi score in the Prostate Premium panel) can also help determine whether it is benign or malignant prostate disease.
PSA/free PSA measurement is also useful in men who have already had prostate cancer to screen for relapse of the disease.
However, the PSA/free PSA test also has limitations:
PSA may be elevated in benign prostate disease such as prostate inflammation or enlargement.
Prostate cancer has a very variable evolution, with many cancers evolving very slowly and actually requiring no treatment.
Thus, an abnormal PSA test can cause unnecessary concern and sometimes overtreatment. In that case, we recommend further research with the Prostate Health Index (Phi) test: this innovative but more expensive test can distinguish much better between aggressive and slowly evolving prostate cancers. More information on this can be found at the Prostate Premium panel.
Info on result and diagnosis:
Normal: PSA < 4 ng/mL.
In case of abnormal PSA (PSA > 2 ng/mL and/or low fraction of free PSA), you will find on the test report concrete recommendations by our laboratory experts for further steps, such as a consultation with a physician-specialist or more specialized investigations such as the Prostate Premium test panel.
Parameters being measured:
PSA total
free PSA
ratio
Our locations
Roeselare
Antwerp
Hasselt
Brussels
