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Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) - Prostate Cancer Screening Test
A cancer screening test measuring PSA levels to assess prostate health and detect potential signs of prostate cancer.
A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. PSA is released into a man's blood through his prostate gland. Healthy men have low levels of PSA in their blood. The amount of PSA in the blood normally increases as a man's prostate enlarges with age. PSA may increase due to inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis) or prostate cancer. An injury, rectal examination or sexual activity (ejaculation) can also raise the PSA level in the short term. Finding prostate cancer early and treating it can prevent some health problems and reduce the risk of dying from cancer. But some treatments for prostate cancer can cause other problems, such as not being able to control urination (incontinence) or erection problems (erectile dysfunction). Some men may choose not to have a PSA test or treatment for prostate cancer if they are found to have the disease. For example, an elderly man who does not have any troublesome symptoms of prostate cancer may choose not to treat the cancer.
The PSA test is done to screen men for prostate cancer. Experts agree that PSA testing is not right for all men. If a PSA test is used for screening, it is usually done for men older than 50 or for those at high risk for prostate cancer, such as men with a hereditary predisposition to prostate cancer. Because other common medical conditions, such as benign prostatic enlargement (BPH) and prostatitis, can cause high PSA levels, a prostate biopsy may be done if the doctor suspects prostate cancer.
PSA is a test that often gives incorrect results (so-called false positives). Elevated levels can be caused by prostate cancer but often are not. According to national guidelines, you should have read the brochure About PSA Testing, which deals with the possible pros and cons of PSA testing, before deciding to test your PSA value. Please note that long-term use of medications containing Finasteride or Dutasteride (eg Proscar, Avodart, Propecia) can cause the PSA value to drop by up to 50%. This should be kept in mind when interpreting the PSA.
A cancer screening test measuring PSA levels to assess prostate health and detect potential signs of prostate cancer.
