How to Read a Free PSA Test

A Free PSA test determines the level of prostate specific antigen in your bloodstream. The presence of an abnormal amount of this protein can signal potential prostate cancer. When you receive your results for the Free PSA test, a list of numbers will be presented. To learn about your prostate cancer risk you will need to identify and interpret each number on your PSA test results. After reading the test, speak with your doctor about the next step in your prostate health regimen.

Instructions

• 1

  Locate the line on the results sheet that lists the PSA in the bloodstream in the form of nanograms of the protein per milliliter of blood or ng/ml.

• 2

  Compare the number listed to the acceptable levels of PSA for your age range. A normal PSA level for a patient under 50 is 2.4 ng/ml and 6.5 ng/ml for patients over 60.

• 3

  Check the PSA Velocity listed on the test. This is the rate of change for your PSA over time. The PSA velocity should be under .35 ng/ml per year with a starting PSA of under 2 and under .75 ng/ml per year for a PSA between 4 and 10.

• 4

  Check the number listed under PSA-f or free PSA. The higher the percentage, the less chance of the presence of prostate cancer. According to Health Central, a PSA-f reading under 10 percent signals a 56 percent chance of cancer.

• 5

  Determine your PSA Density by dividing your PSA level by the volume of your prostate. For example, divide the a PSA level of 3 by a prostate volume 35 milliliters for a PSA density of .08. A PSA Density over .15 should be examined more closely.

• 6

  Speak with your doctor about higher PSA levels, velocity, density or a low PSA-f percentage, to schedule further tests to determine if you are at risk or have developed prostate cancer.