The PSA test measures the levels of a protein made in the prostate to determine if abnormal cell growth is occurring, and is recommended for men over 50. Elevated levels do not necessarily mean cancer, and treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Prostate cancer screening is controversial, and patients should discuss with their doctors.
A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a screening test used to see if a man is at risk of getting prostate cancer. It measures the levels of PSA, a protein made in the prostate, in the blood to determine if abnormal cell growth is occurring and is usually recommended for men over the age of 50 during routine prostate screenings. In addition to blood work, men may also be physically examined for signs of prostate enlargement or tenderness.
In the PSA cancer test, a blood sample is taken, usually from a vein in the elbow, and analyzed in a laboratory to determine the PSA levels in the patient’s blood. As men age, PSA levels tend to rise. In men over 50, PSA levels above four nanograms per milliliter are a cause for concern, while in younger men the cutoff is lower, about 2.3 nanograms per milliliter. The time it takes to get results varies, and patients can ask their doctors how long they will have to wait.
If a PSA cancer test reveals elevated levels, it doesn’t necessarily mean a man has cancer. Several other conditions can cause elevated levels including inflammation and infection around the prostate and urinary tract, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and a history of recent catheterization or endoscopy. The elevated test results are an indicator for further medical investigation to learn more about the man’s health and find out why the PSA cancer test results were abnormally high.
After a PSA cancer test reveals elevated levels and a doctor confirms the presence of cancer, several treatment options are available. Some patients may refuse treatment on the grounds that the cancer will grow slowly and the trade-off between quality of life and cancer treatment does not apply to them. For patients who want treatment, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy are all potential options.
Prostate cancer screening is not without controversy. Some critics point to the risk of false positives with options such as the PSA cancer test and argue that prostate cancers tend to grow slowly and may not necessarily need treatment, leading men who are diagnosed early to have unnecessary procedures. In men over the age of 70, such testing is often discouraged because the patient is more likely to die from other age-related conditions than prostate cancer. Others believe that early diagnosis and treatment should generally be promoted for cancers and support the use of prostate screening. Ultimately, patients should discuss the matter with their doctors, as every patient’s situation is different.
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