September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month! This month, many men will be encouraged to have a PSA test. And should the test show elevated PSA levels, further testing may be needed to diagnose—or rule out—prostate cancer.
Elevated PSA Doesn’t Always Mean Prostate Cancer
The good thing to know is that an elevated PSA doesn’t necessarily mean prostate cancer is present. It can also be caused by a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH for short. Also known as an “enlarged prostate,” the increased size and volume of the prostate can trigger higher PSA levels.
As the prostate gland grows, it puts pressure on the bladder and urethra. Symptoms of BPH include:
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Waking up repeatedly at night with the need to urinate
- A weak urine stream
If you have BPH and the symptoms are impacting your life, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a non-surgical option to treat it.
PAE: A Non-Surgical BPH Treatment
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is an effective and non-surgical alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery and implant procedures such as UroLift®. Using fluoroscopic imaging, the doctors at Precision IR will guide a tiny catheter through the body and to the arteries on both sides of the prostate that supply it with blood. Small particles are then injected into each artery to reduce the flow of blood to the gland. As a result, the prostate shrinks and the symptoms of BPH are significantly reduced.
Compared with surgery, PAE has a lower risk of complications and sexual side effects. Unlike UroLift®, PAE effectively shrinks the prostate gland—the root cause of the symptoms. PAE is FDA-approved and covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. The procedure takes less than two hours, and you can return home after the procedure and resume most normal activities.
When to See a Doctor About PSA or BPH Symptoms
If you have elevated PSA levels not caused by cancer and you are experiencing urination symptoms like previously mentioned, we encourage you to consult with one of our doctors. They can help you properly diagnose BPH, and if needed, treat the condition more quickly and less invasively than you may have thought possible!
