High PSA result does not automatically mean prostate cancer – Laboratory expert

Dr Patience Naa Adaku Bortie, Head of Laboratory Services at the GPHA Clinic, has warned men not to assume an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) result means they have prostate cancer. She explained that a high PSA level could be caused by various factors, including prostate infection or inflammation. During a media discussion on prostate cancer, Bortie emphasized the lab's role in screening and said the results could help identify those at higher risk and guide intervention.

However, she stressed that a high PSA reading alone does not confirm prostate cancer, as other factors can influence PSA levels. She advised men with abnormal results to see a doctor who would consider their medical history before recommending further tests. Bortie also advised men to track their PSA levels over time, using an initial test as a baseline for comparison.

She urged men not to avoid screening due to fear of an abnormal result, as knowing their status allows them to take appropriate action. Nurse manager Juliana Kpodo echoed Bortie's views, urging men to prioritize routine health screening rather than waiting until they are ill. She cited fear of the unknown, perceptions that hospital visits were unnecessary, and the belief that men could manage health challenges independently as reasons for delayed healthcare-seeking behavior.

Kpodo emphasized that screening is not just for the sick but helps maintain overall health. She noted that some men prefer to keep health issues to themselves, hoping to manage them without professional help, which can be detrimental if the condition worsens. Kpodo encouraged the public to view routine health checks as preventive measures, urging them to take greater responsibility for their health.