
Prostate Health Index (PHI) is a blood test that is more accurate at the risk of prostate cancer than the traditional PSA test. Phi combines three different tests from PSA to create a single risk degree. It may reduce the need for biops in people with low risk of cancer.
Phi test uses three different forms of special prostate antigen (PSA), a protein made by your prostate can rise if you have cases such as enlarged prostate, prostate injury or prostate cancer. These three models include:
- Total PSA: Total PSA level in your blood
- Psa free: Part of PSA is not connected to proteins in your blood
- P2psa: PSA contrast to prostate cancer
Phi combines measurements in a single -degree production formula. It gives a more accurate representation of the risk of prostate cancer compared to the traditional PSA test.
PHI test produces one The result ranges from 0-55+ It can reveal information about the risk of prostate cancer. Top levels and low grades may reveal different information.
A Supreme degree (higher than 35) It indicates a higher opportunity for prostate cancer that needs treatment. The test is not a diagnosis, although the prostate biopsy is necessary for the final diagnosis. If you have a little high, health care providers may also look at the risk of other prostate cancer before specifying the following steps.
A Less degree (less than 35) It indicates a low risk of prostate cancer that requires treatment. If you have a lower degree of phi, health care providers may choose to monitor you over time instead of recommending a biopsy.
The prostate health index provides several benefits on the traditional total PSA test. These include:
- accuracy: The total PSA test cannot differentiate between the possible causes of the PSA level. PHI mix of three differences of PSA makes it more specific in the discovery of prostate cancer.
- Discussed biopsy: Since it is more specific, phi tests reduce the need for unnecessary prostate biops, spare possible costs, discomfort, and other complications of biopsy.
- Early cancer discovery: Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. PIH is useful in early detection of prostate cancer, especially cases that require treatment.
It is important for people at risk of prostate cancer to think about a Phi test. Talk to the healthcare provider about your risk, which may be higher if you are:
- You have a family history of prostate cancer
- 50 years or older
- black
- Genetic mutations were known for genes Krca1 or BRCA2
Also, men with just higher levels can be 4-10-sometimes called a diagnostic gray area-under test to confirm whether PSA levels are likely to be possible due to cancer or other prostate condition.
The prostate health index is a simple blood test. The health care provider may ask you to sit comfortably on a chair. In some cases, they may also ask you to lie down. After that, you can expect the blood drawing process to include these steps:
- The healthcare provider cleans the area using an antiseptic solution (killing germs).
- They put a flexible tape on your upper arm to help the area swell in the blood.
- They insert a needle into the vein into your arm to collect blood into a sealed vial or a tube connected to the needle.
- They remove the needle and move from your arm and apply a cotton pillow or bandage on the needle.
The test usually occurs in a health care provider diagnosis or clinic. The cost of the test varies, but usually ranges from $ 35 to $ 370. You can talk to your health insurance provider, if you have one, to help determine if it will cover the cost of the test.
Prostate Health Index (PHI) is a blood test to examine prostate cancer. By combining three different differences from the special prostate antigen (PSA), it provides better accuracy, reduces the need for unnecessary biopsies, and can help early detection of prostate cancer that needs treatment.