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By: Rudzani Matshili
 As the country observes Men's Health Month, the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital's urology clinic is encouraging all men who are 45 years and above to do Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test.
 The test assists in measuring the level of PSA in men's blood. PSA is a protein produced by normal ​malignant and cells of the prostate gland. And as part of test procedure, the blood samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis and if the PSA is found to be over level 4 patients must consult immediately.
Sister Tinswalo Mkhabela who is a Professional nurse at the facility said if cancer is detected on patients they are referred to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University to see if it is still in the prostate only, or if it has started attacking the bones.
 If that is the case, the patient (s) is then referred to Steve Biko Academic Hospital for radiotherapy. However, if a man's PSA level continues to rise and prostate cancer is suspected, prostate biopsy is then performed.​​
In addition to that, the patient (s) is then given an injection to stop the cancer from spreading further. 
Men who have family history of prostate cancer should screen from the age of 40, whilst those without history should l begin screening from 45 years of age.​

 "We have about 40% of men actually doing the test due to our outreach programme at clinics, where every man over 40 years gets screened when they consult. And if the results come back and the PSA level is above 4, they are referred to our hospital, where we give them life-time treatment which makes the antigen to be in its normal state again", said Mkhabela.
"Even if your urine doesn't come out the way it used to be, you need to consult because as we grow older, our prostate grows as well, which is very likely to have cancer." 
"We are going all out to encourage men to speak out and to always consult to save their lives. Speak out and seek help. We are always here for you," concluded Mkhabela.