Feeling healthy is a good thing, but it does not mean you should put off checking your prostate health.

For Jamaican men, particularly those aged 40 and older, routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing can be an important part of taking charge of their health. One of these tests can help identify changes that may need further investigation, even before symptoms appear.

What is a PSA test?

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland. A PSA test measures the level of this protein in the blood.

According to Dr. Marie Brown, consultant urologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies, PSA levels can become elevated for several reasons. An elevated PSA result, therefore, does not automatically mean cancer.

“The PSA can be elevated due to prostate enlargement, infection or inflammation and also to cancer,” Dr. Brown explains. A man with an elevated result should be evaluated by a urologist to determine the appropriate next steps.

Why test when you feel healthy?

It can be tempting to wait until something feels wrong before visiting the doctor. With prostate health, however, Dr. Brown says the better approach is to get checked before symptoms develop.

“The best time to get tested is when a man has no symptoms,” she says, noting that finding cancer at an early stage can provide an opportunity for curative treatment.

Age is also important. Dr. Brown recommends that men start PSA screening at age 40, particularly as black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at increased risk.

Routine testing also gives your healthcare provider an opportunity to monitor your PSA over time and identify changes that may require attention.

NHF is making PSA testing more accessible

The National Health Fund (NHF) is helping to reduce the cost of this important test.

Male NHFCard beneficiaries aged 40 and older can access one subsidised PSA test each year. The current NHF subsidy is $1,920 per test.

Support has also been expanded for men enrolled with the NHF for prostate cancer. These beneficiaries can now access up to four subsidised PSA tests per year, helping doctors to monitor their condition and treatment more closely.

PSA testing is available through participating laboratories, and a doctor’s requisition is required.

Make prostate health part of your routine

Checking your prostate health does not have to begin with symptoms. Speak with your doctor about PSA screening and when you should be tested based on your age and individual risk.

As Dr. Brown reminds Jamaican men: “There should be no fear because it is better to know about prostate cancer earlier than later.”

Your next routine health check is an opportunity to start the conversation.

Visit the NHFCard page on the National Health Fund website to learn more about the card and how it can help you with your PSA tests and prostate cancer treatment if you are diagnosed with the disease.