They took the PSA test…and it may have saved their lives
Results of three men, whose names are kept confidential, came back with high levels of PSA
AS part of Men’s Cancer Awareness month in November CANSA uThungulu hosted two days of free male testing in Empangeni and Richards Bay.
A total of 36 men lined up to take the Prostate-Specific Antigen, or PSA test at the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre in Richards Bay last Saturday.
The test, which is just a simple procedure of having a blood sample taken which is sent off for testing in a laboratory, seeks to determine PSA levels, which could be indicative of prostate cancer.
‘An increased level does not necessarily point towards cancer; it could be due to non-cancerous growths, irritation, enlargement of the prostate or inflammation,’ said Cansa uThungulu Community Mobiliser, Lizelle van Zyl.
‘But we say: why take a chance?
As with all cancers, early detection can be the difference between life and death.
‘It can also make a major difference to one’s sexual life, which adds to the importance of having the test.’
Results of three men, whose names are kept confidential, came back with high levels of PSA.
‘The results were passed directly to their doctors who will now consult with the patients for further tests,’ she said.
For these men, this test was potentially lifesaving, as their doctors can now intervene to determine if the problem is serious.
Be sure to take the PSA test; you never know if you need it.
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