Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) Serum Test

A PSA Serum Test is used to measure PSA levels in the blood to screen for prostate cancer or other benign prostate conditions.

Description

This test measures the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels in your blood, a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer. However, high PSA levels may also suggest a nonthreatening prostate condition such as infection or benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlarged prostate.

Many men have PSA levels under four (ng/mL); therefore, it is the cutoff on most tests for determining if further testing is required to screen for prostate cancer. Most men with prostate cancer usually have PSA levels higher than four, although cancer is a possibility at any PSA level. For example, reports state that men with a prostate gland that feels normal on examination and a PSA level:

• Less than four have a 15% chance of prostate cancer
• Between four and 10 have a 25% chance of prostate cancer
• Higher than 10, the risk of prostate cancer increases to over 50%

It is important to note that not all cases of prostate cancer will show elevated total PSA levels, and other conditions may cause higher PSA levels besides cancer. In addition, for most men diagnosed with prostate cancer, it can take decades before signs or symptoms begin to show. Therefore, the PSA test is often recommended for yearly screening for men over 50. However, those with a family history of prostate cancer may wish to begin screening earlier.

You may also order a PSA test if you are:

• Suffering from painful or frequent urination
• Experiencing severe pelvic or back pain
• Diagnosed with prostate cancer, as this test can help monitor the effects of your treatment