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Prostate cancer blood tests not 100 percent effective
Posted: 04.01.2011 at 2:50 PM
Updated: 04.02.2011 at 7:30 AM
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MARQUETTE -- The latest information released about prostate testing for men says the blood test isn't reliable.  The recently released information also says that the type of screening could cause unnecessary biopsies.

PSA testing is the only blood test available for prostate cancer, and sometimes the cancer will be noticed sooner because of elevated levels.

Doctors say the best way to determine whether or not you have prostate cancer is by combining both the blood test and a physical examination.

"Unfortunately it's not 100 percent, and it may or may not be elevated if someone has prostate cancer," said Dr. James Surrell.  "And it may be elevated for other reasons.  If someone has an infection in their prostate gland, it may be falsely elevated, but you can't ignore it."

If there is a history in your family of prostate cancer, your risk could be doubled.

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