Demystifying the 4K Score: Understanding the Factors That Affect It
Prostate cancer is a prevalent form of cancer that affects millions of people worldwide. Early detection is vital in the fight against prostate cancer, and one of the tools that have emerged is the 4K score. This test helps to understand the risk of contracting the disease, but many people find it confusing.
In this article, we will demystify the 4K score by explaining what it is, how it works, and the factors that affect it.
What Is the 4K Score?
The 4K score is a blood test that measures four prostate-specific biomarkers- prostate-specific antigen (PSA), free PSA, intact PSA, and human kallikrein-related peptidase 2 (hK2). The test combines these biomarkers with clinical information such as age, digital rectal examination (DRE) results, and history of previous biopsy results to predict the likelihood of a patient having prostate cancer.
How Does the 4K Score Work?
The 4K score works by analyzing the levels of the four biomarkers in a patient’s blood sample and calculating the probability of an aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis. The test is more accurate than PSA alone since it accounts for other clinical information that could affect a patient’s results.
After taking the 4K score test, the results range from 1% to 95% likelihood of high-grade prostate cancer. A score between 1%-20% indicates that a biopsy is not necessary, while scores above 20% indicate a high likelihood of the patient having high-grade prostate cancer and require a biopsy.
Factors That Affect the 4K Score
Several factors can affect the 4K score, including age, ethnicity, PSA baseline levels, and previous biopsy results.
Age – As men age, their chances of getting prostate cancer increase, and this affects their 4K score significantly. Patients over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of prostate cancer, and their 4K score usually reflects this risk.
Ethnicity – Studies have shown that prostate cancer is more prominent in African-American men than in other ethnicities. This means that African American men typically have higher 4K scores than other men.
PSA Baseline Levels – A patient’s PSA baseline levels influence the 4K score. A history of high PSA levels means that the patient would have more aggressive prostate cancer and a higher 4K score.
Previous Biopsy Results – Patients who have had previous biopsies have a higher risk of being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer if the biopsy results were initially negative. This means that their 4K score would be higher.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 4K score is a valuable tool that helps to determine the likelihood of having prostate cancer. It is more accurate than the traditional PSA test since it considers other clinical information that could affect a patient’s test results. Patients who are in doubt about their prostate cancer risk can request a 4K score test from their healthcare provider. Knowing one’s risk of prostate cancer before the onset of symptoms provides an actionable path to prevention, early detection, and early intervention. Understanding the factors that affect one’s 4K score empowers men to make informed decisions towards a better quality of life.
