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What Is Prostate PSA?

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is offered to men over the age of 50. The results of this test can point to the presence of prostate cancer. Men who are approaching this age or are at high risk of developing prostate cancer should learn all they can about the PSA test.

  1. Definition

    • The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines PSA as a protein produced in the prostate gland and found in the ejaculate fluid.

    High PSA Levels

    • Men with prostate diseases, such as prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), often have elevated PSA blood levels.

    Significance

    • In a healthy man, a little PSA can leak into the bloodstream, but prostate diseases, especially prostate cancer, allow more to leak into the blood because they disrupt the structure of the prostatic tissue, according to the Lions Australia Prostate Cancer website. The PSA test is used to identify both new and recurrent cancer cases.

    Testing

    • Testing PSA levels involves drawing blood from the patient. The American Cancer Society (ACS) asks physicians to offer optional PSA testing combined with a digital rectal exam to male patients starting at age 50.

    Expert Insight

    • While PSA testing can detect prostate cancer in early stages, current studies do not show that early detection effectively lowers the prostate cancer death rate, according to the ACS. Thus the ACS currently recommends that physicians offer the test but leave the decision up to the individual.

    Age for Testing

    • According to the NCI, doctors' advice regarding the age to begin PSA testing varies, but in general the test is offered to men starting at age 50. Men with increased risk factors, such as a family history of the disease, may be offered the test starting at age 40.

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