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Weight and PSA

Men, that extra weight you're carrying may be affecting the results of your prostate cancer test! A recent study found that doctors reading the results of blood tests may be fooled into thinking obese men are disease free. Researchers studied more than 14 thousand men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer. They found those with a high body mass index had higher blood volumes and lower psa concentrations, which is used to detect prostate cancer. The study confirmed some men could have the total amount of PSA in their blood that signals prostate cancer, but because obese men have so much more blood, the tests indicate a false negative reading. These findings may help explain why previous studies have indicated that overweight men have  an increased risk of death from prostate cancer. Men, this is another reason to shed those extra pounds and get on a nutrition and exercise plan in the New Year, so put it on the top of your list!