What Can Cause High PSA Results?

Prostate cancer is a common ailment in men, second only to skin cancer. PSA testing, which looks for signs of prostate cancer, is usually recommended in men age 40 to 75. Ultimately, the decision on when to have a PSA test should be determined with help from a doctor.

Meaning

• PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. It is a protein produced by malignant and noncancerous cells that also helps semen liquefy. While it's OK for a certain amount of PSA to be in the blood, elevated levels raise concerns about presence of cancer.

Standards

• Most doctors consider a PSA level below 4.0 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) as normal. Anything between 4 and 10 gives you a one in four chance of having cancer. A test result of more than 10 carries a 67 percent chance, according to the American Cancer Society.

Considerations

• Elevated PSA levels can also be from benign prostate enlargement or from a prostate infection. PSA levels tend to increase with age as well. You can even get an temporary increase in PSA from riding a bike. These conditions can lend themselves to false-positive test results. According to cancer.gov, most men who have elevated PSA levels tend not to have cancer.

Race

• Black males have a greater chance of registering higher levels and developing prostate cancer. Why this is so is not readily understood by the medical community.

Controversy

• The PSA test is still considered widely controversial mainly because it is still not conclusive whether the test actually saves lives. The National Cancer Institute is looking for ways to improve the test.