PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen, a protein found in the blood that can indicate prostate disease. PSA tests are used for screening and monitoring, but are not foolproof indicators of cancer. Doctors may recommend testing for men between 40 and 75, but other factors should also be considered. Regular physicals and communication with a doctor can help alleviate concerns.
You may have heard the term PSA used in conjunction with a lab report following a routine physical checkup. PSA is a commonly used medical acronym that stands for Prostate Specific Antigen. It is a protein found in the blood, and although it is normally present in low levels in men, high PSA levels can indicate a disease affecting the prostate. It is often used as an indicator of prostate cancer, but higher than normal levels can also indicate benign conditions.
A PSA test is often used as part of a prostate cancer screening process. Levels are measured by drawing blood and sending the blood to a laboratory for testing. There does not appear to be universal agreement on the “normal” range of PSA levels, as the accepted upper level of the normal range changes with age. 4 or less was once thought to be an acceptable normal range in any man, but when used as a marker for cancer, this may or may not be accurate. PSA levels are only one indicator, however, and regular prostate screenings and physical exams are also used to help assess risk.
PSA levels are a useful diagnostic tool, but it’s not a foolproof indicator. Most urologists and oncologists do not rely solely on PSA tests to diagnose the risk or presence of cancer. PSA tests are typically done as part of routine screenings and also as a monitoring tool to determine the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment. For example, if a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer and begins treatment but his PSA levels continue to rise or do not decrease, it could indicate that the treatment isn’t working or that the cancer is growing.
PSA tests may be recommended for men between the ages of 40 and 75 as part of their routine health care, but not all doctors believe in regular testing without the presence of other symptoms. A blood test alone is not a guaranteed indicator of prostate cancer. Some men test with higher than normal levels and don’t have cancer, while others who have consistently low levels have developed prostate cancer. Other factors are usually considered, such as family history and an abnormal or enlarged prostate gland. Only about 1 in 4 men who test positive for high PSA actually have prostate cancer. Because it is a slow-growing cancer, men over 75 generally do not need to have their PSA levels monitored.
A simple blood test is all that is needed to test PSA levels; your doctor can help you decide if you should have a PSA test. Regular physicals and good communication with your doctor can help alleviate any concerns you may have about the development or detection of prostate cancer.
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