Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

While the incidence of prostate cancer is high, the mortality rate is relatively low. The five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is almost 100% when detected early. This is why it is important for men to take steps to detect prostate cancer early, and one of the tools for detecting prostate cancer is the PSA test.

What is the PSA test?

The PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man’s blood. PSA is a protein produced by cells in the prostate gland.

Elevated levels of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer, as well as other prostate conditions such as prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate).

Who should get a PSA test?

There is no consensus on who should get a PSA test, as the benefits and risks of the test are still being debated.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men discuss the benefits and risks of the PSA test with their healthcare provider and make an informed decision about whether to be tested. The decision should take into account age, family history of prostate cancer, and overall health, among other factors.

How is the PSA test done?

The PSA test is a simple blood test that can be done in a healthcare provider’s office or at a diagnostic laboratory. The blood sample is usually taken from a vein in the arm and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

The results of the PSA test are usually available within a week.

What do the PSA test results mean?

The PSA test results are reported as a numerical value, measured in nanograms of PSA per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood. The normal range for PSA levels is less than 4 ng/mL.

However, PSA levels can vary from person to person, and a PSA level within the normal range does not necessarily mean that a man does not have prostate cancer. Similarly, an elevated PSA level does not necessarily mean that a man does have prostate cancer.

What factors can affect PSA levels?

Several factors can affect PSA levels, such as age, race, family history of prostate cancer, prostate size, and prostate conditions such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

In addition, certain medications, such as finasteride and dutasteride (used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia), can lower PSA levels. Ejaculation and physical activity before the test can also affect PSA levels.

What happens if the PSA test results are abnormal?

If the PSA test results are abnormal (i.e., elevated), additional tests may be recommended to determine the cause of the abnormal result.

These tests may include a digital rectal exam (DRE), a biopsy (in which a small sample of prostate tissue is removed for examination), or imaging tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan.

What are the risks of the PSA test?

Like any medical test, the PSA test is not without risks. One of the risks of the PSA test is the possibility of false-positive results, which can lead to unnecessary biopsies and other tests that carry their own risks and potential complications.

In addition, the PSA test may detect slow-growing cancers that may never cause symptoms or harm, leading to overtreatment and unnecessary side effects.

Conclusion

The PSA test is a tool that can be used to detect prostate cancer early, but its benefits and risks are still being debated.

Men should discuss the benefits and risks of the test with their healthcare provider and make an informed decision about whether to be tested. Other tools for detecting prostate cancer include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and imaging tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan.