What is a PSA test?
The PSA, or prostate specific antigen test, is a blood test that enables doctors to detect prostate cancer at a very early stage, even before symptoms occur. The prostate specific antigen is a small protein molecule produced by the glands of the prostate. Normally this antigen is at a very low level in the blood stream, but it can be persistently elevated in men with prostate cancer. The higher the PSA level the more likely the presence of prostate cancer. Men with a high PSA are often advised to have a biopsy to see if there is cancer present. What is considered a ‘high’ PSA level depends on your age and race, as the chart below illustrates. Other non-cancerous conditions can cause elevation of PSA, but usually only modestly or temporarily. This is why most doctors will repeat the PSA at least once if it is found to be high.
It is a blood test. PSA stands for prostate specific antigen, a protein produced only by the prostate gland. It is measured in nanograms per millilitre. Its elevation in the blood can be an indication of prostate disease such as an infection, an enlargement or a cancer. It is especially useful to follow disease progression of prostate cancer.
The PSA or prostate specific antigen test is a blood test used to measure the amount of a particular protein found in a person’s blood. This protein is only made by prostate cells and in normal men the PSA level is usually low (less than 4.0 nanograms per milliliter). Prostate cancer and certain other conditions may cause an increase in the PSA value because of an increase in the amount of the prostate specific protein circulating in the blood. If the PSA value is higher than 4.0 nanograms per milliliter in a normal middle-aged male, the doctor would consider further testing to see whether prostate cancer could be the cause.
The PSA or prostate specific antigen test is a blood test used to measure the amount of a particular protein that can be found in a person’s blood. This protein is only made by prostate cells and in normal men the PSA level is usually low (less than 4.0 nanograms per milliliter). Prostate cancer and certain other conditions can cause an increase in the PSA value because of an increase in the amount of the prostate specific protein circulating in the blood. If the PSA value is higher than 4.0 nanograms per milliliter in a normal middle-aged male, the doctor would consider further testing to see whether prostate cancer could be the cause. (For more information you may want to look at the section on PSA in PSA, DRE, …, and other diagnostic acronyms.
