A study at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio indicates that obesity in men may throw off the results of PSA tests commonly administered to detect prostate cancer. The results of the study, which involved 2,779 men overweight, is further evidence that obesity can lead to numerous health risks.
The men, none of whom had prostate cancer, were give the PSA test, which checks the levels of prostate-specific antigens. If cancer is present, those levels are usually elevated. Those who were considered morbidly overweight had PSA levels that were 30 percent lower than men who were not obese. This could lead to doctor’s missing the cancer in this group of men.
Each year, around a half-million men in the U.S. get prostate cancer and 30,000 will die from the disease. Prostate cancer is second in deaths only to lung cancer. However, with regular screening, the disease is the most easily-cured of all cancers.
The men, none of whom had prostate cancer, were give the PSA test, which checks the levels of prostate-specific antigens. If cancer is present, those levels are usually elevated. Those who were considered morbidly overweight had PSA levels that were 30 percent lower than men who were not obese. This could lead to doctor’s missing the cancer in this group of men.
Each year, around a half-million men in the U.S. get prostate cancer and 30,000 will die from the disease. Prostate cancer is second in deaths only to lung cancer. However, with regular screening, the disease is the most easily-cured of all cancers.
