For years, many people believed the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test to be a game-changer in detecting prostate cancer. However, recent research implies that widespread testing may not necessarily enhance prostate cancer treatment outcomes.
Understanding the shortfalls of the PSA test
A significant issue with the PSA test is that it fails to measure the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Numerous prostate cancers develop slowly and may never be life-threatening or pose a risk to overall health. However, relatively benign cancer can mutate into a more aggressive form over time, especially when exposed to high oxidative stress, environmental toxins, heavy metals, and an abnormal hormonal profile, including a high estrogen-to-testosterone ratio.
Moreover, the PSA test might not uncover aggressive cancers in their early stages. In other words, the test may be too fast to detect slow-growing cancers and too slow to identify aggressive ones. Consequently, the PSA level may not accurately reflect the disease’s extent and can occasionally be misleadingly low.
The PSA test still has clinical significance, but it must be viewed in context with additional diagnostics, patient history, and the nature of prostate-specific antigen test results. Practitioners should also be aware of the PSA test’s variability, as results can be influenced by medications, seasonal variations, time of day the test is performed, recent sexual activity, and most importantly, the prostate’s size. It’s also crucial to repeat tests at the same time of day and with the same laboratory, as methods for identifying PSA vary from one lab to another and cannot be compared.
Galectin-3: A new diagnostic tool for prostate health
Galectin-3 is a protein produced in the body and now considered an essential biomarker and active driver of several chronic diseases. When present at typical levels, galectin-3 aids in regulating cellular growth and cell-to-cell communication. However, increased galectin-3 levels fuel inflammation, fibrosis, tumor growth and metastasis, and suppress immunity.
Given that galectin-3 aggressively drives chronic inflammation, it can act as a marker for prostatitis and BPH, which can affect quality of life and increase the risk of cancer. A study published in The American Journal of Pathology in 2009 indicated that reducing galectin-3 levels hindered prostate cancer metastasis. Additionally, a 2013 Oncotarget study found galectin-3 to be a useful test for measuring prostate cancer risk and progression alongside the PSA test. The researchers discovered that prostate cancer patients exhibited elevated levels of galectin-3 in circulation.
In 2011, the FDA approved the galectin-3 blood test for assessing cardiovascular health. Now, a growing number of integrative physicians are also relying on this relatively simple test as a precise way to determine the risk and progression of prostate and other cancers.
Promoting healthy Galectin-3 expression: Modified Citrus Pectin
So, what can be done to encourage healthy galectin-3 expression in the body? Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) has increasingly garnered scientific recognition as the most researched galectin-3 inhibitor. Studies now show that MCP can bind and block excess galectin-3 1. Because of this unique ability, MCP has been shown to effectively counter the devastating damage caused by galectin-3. Furthermore, clinical studies have demonstrated that MCP can help reduce PSA. For more information on Modified Citrus Pectin, Karolyn Gazella’s book, “New Twist on Health,” is an excellent resource.
Reducing prostate inflammation is a critical component of strategic prostate cancer treatment, as it lowers the risk of mutations into more aggressive cancer and reduces metastasis risk. The PSA test still plays a role in a more comprehensive assessment, including the galectin-3 test. For more information on prostate health, the Prostate Health Wellness Guide is available as a free download.
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