How to Interpret PSA Levels

Prostate cancer, in its early stages, usually has no symptoms, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). However, as the cancer advances you may experience impotence, or hematuria (blood in your urine). In addition, you may feel pain in your hips, numbness in your feet or legs or loss of bowel control as the prostate cancer spreads to other parts of your body. So, it's not only important to undergo a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test regularly, but understand what the results mean.

Instructions

• 1

  Understand your PSA levels. The PSA, a substance created in your prostate gland, is mostly found in your semen and blood. If you have a PSA level of 4 nanograms per ml of blood, this can mean that prostate cancer is not present. However, if your PSA level is under 4, it doesn't mean you are cancer-free. A test result of 4 to 10 indicates that you have approximately 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer, according to ACS. If you have a PSA level of 10, you have a 50 percent chance of having prostate cancer, according to ACS.

• 2

  Know the risks that can increase PSA. As you grow older, your PSA levels can increase -- even if you have no prostate abnormality. An inflammation or infection in your prostate gland can increase your PSA level. Another aspect that can increase your PSA level -- other than prostate cancer -- is a non-cancerous enlargement of your prostate called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH can occur as you grow older. An ejaculation can also increase your PSA level for a short time. So your doctor may recommend that you abstain from ejaculation for approximately two days before your PSA test.

• 3

  Consider the causes of a low PSA level. You can have a low PSA level even when you have prostate cancer. For instance, obesity can cause a lower PSA level. Certain medications like dutasteride or finasteride for urinary symptoms of BPH can lower your results. Or herbal mixtures used in dietary prostate health supplements can cause your PSA level to be lower than it actually is.