Is the prostate health number 37 significantly elevated?

The "prostate health number" we often refer to mostly refers to the prostate health index (PHI) commonly used in clinical prostate cancer screening. If it is this indicator, 37 has exceeded the 26 threshold generally recommended by domestic and foreign guidelines, and is a significantly elevated category.

But don’t panic, this increase does not mean you have prostate cancer. I met a 39-year-old programmer at the outpatient clinic last week. His physical examination showed that his PHI was almost 40. He came in with a pale face and said he had started calculating the compensation for critical illness insurance after checking online. After further questioning, I found out that the day before his physical examination, he sat for 14 hours without moving in order to catch up on the project. He didn't go to bed until 3 a.m. and drank half a dozen cold beers. He had chronic prostatitis, and during that time, he occasionally had pain when urinating. I asked him to go back to eat a light diet, not to ride a bicycle, not to sit for a long time, and not to have sex for a while. I would check again after two weeks. The result was that the PHI dropped directly to 23, which was completely back to the normal range. It was a false alarm.

Different testing institutions use different kits, and the reference range will be slightly different. I have also encountered a few institutions that set the critical value to 30. If this standard is used, 37 is still a bit higher, but the increase is not that big. In fact, PHI is a comprehensive evaluation index that integrates total PSA, free PSA and [-2] precursor PSA. It is much more accurate in predicting prostate cancer than PSA alone. However, it is essentially a screening item with high sensitivity and limited specificity. The prostate is squeezed, inflammatory stimulation, or even frequent sexual intercourse in a short period of time, which may "shoot up" the value. This transient increase caused by physiology or inflammation will soon fall back as long as the inducement is removed, and no special treatment is needed at all.

Of course, you cannot take the elevated level lightly. If you are over 55 years old, have a family history of prostate cancer, or have difficulty urinating, frequent nocturia, or dull pain in the pelvic area, you should be careful when you find a value of 37. Avoid the interference items just mentioned.