Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

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A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a blood test that determines the amount of PSA in a blood sample.PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder. It makes the watery part of sperm.

A low PSA in the blood is not bad; an increased PSA can be caused by

  • Prostate cancer
  • An enlarged prostate (BPH) (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
  • Other well-known prostate problems
  • Use of certain medications

The PSA test cannot indicate the cause of an abnormal PSA level; other tests may be needed if the PSA is elevated.

Other names: Arterial PSA, Free PSA.

What is it used for?

The PSA test is used to screen for prostate cancer. Screening for cancer means looking for symptoms of cancer before they are caused. However, a screening test does not have all the opportunities to diagnose cancer. If the screening test shows symptoms of cancer, other tests are needed to determine if cancer is present and how serious it is.

Most types of prostate cancer grow quite slowly. They do not spread outside the prostate and do not cause any health problems. In fact, you can live a long life with prostate cancer without even realizing you have it. The purpose of prostate cancer screening is to detect cancers that are likely to metastasize so that they can be treated in their early stages. However, there are problems and possible drawbacks with using the PSA test for prostate cancer screening.

  • The PSA test cannot qualify the difference between an abnormal PSA level and a non-cancer-like disorder of prostate cancer; if the PSA content is elevated, a prostate biopsy is the only way to find out if it is cancer-related. A prostate biopsy can possibly be damaging.
  • A PSA study could lead to the discovery and cure of a prostate cancer that your well-being never affected. If prostate cancer is the focus of your attention:
    • It is difficult to distinguish between a cancer that is growing slowly and one that is perhaps growing faster and spreading throughout the body.
    • You may receive prostate cancer treatment that you have never needed before. For example, curing cancer can cause serious damage.
      • Erectile dysfunction.
      • Urinary incontinence.
      • Bowel control problems (pooping).

      To determine if a PSA test for prostate cancer is right for you, you should talk to your own doctor about the following

      • Risk of nonsense as prostate cancer. If your risk is high, the benefits of early detection of cancer could possibly outweigh the damage.
      • Your general health. Are you healthy enough to be referred for treatment for prostate cancer? Should that happen?
      • Your preferences. What do you think about the possible advantages and disadvantages of screening, diagnosis, and treatment?

      The PSA test can still be used.

      • Basis of prostate disease, not cancer, to aid in diagnosis.
      • Confirm cure of prostate disorders, including cancer.

      Why is a PSA test necessary?

      Whether you want to take a PSA test to detect cancer is your choice. You and your tester may consider your risk of developing serious cancer. The risk of serious prostate cancer may be increased by

      • Years. Prostate cancer risk increases after age 50.
      • Your family health history. Your risk may be higher if your family has prostate cancer.
      • Your breed. Prostate cancer is more common among Afro-Americans. They are at an even higher risk of developing prostate cancer at a younger age and have more serious disease.

      You can perform a PSA test if

      • The following signs of prostate disease are present
        • Painful or irregular urination (voiding)
        • Blood in urine or sperm
        • Pelvic or back pain

        What happens during the PSA test?

        The doctor takes blood from a vein in your arm with the help of a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected in a tube or vial. A small burning sensation is felt as the needle goes in and out. It usually does not take more than 5 minutes.

        Do I have to do anything to prepare for the test?

        You should avoid sex and masturbation 24 hours before the PSA test. The reason for this is that sperm release can increase PSA levels and make the results more accurate. In addition, inform your doctor about any medications you are using, as some medications can affect the results of the test.

        Were there any risks associated with the test?

        The risks of blood testing are very minimal. You may experience slight pain and bruising in the area where the needle is inserted, but most signs disappear quickly.

        What do the results mean?

        There are no specific normal or abnormal PSA levels in the blood. In general: the higher the PSA, the more likely it is that you have cancer. However, it is absolutely possible to raise PSA without prostate cancer or low PSA for prostate cancer.

        PSA test to screen for prostate cancer or if there are signs of prostate cancer:

Alex Koliada, PhD

Alex Koliada, PhD

Alex Koliada, PhD, is a well-known doctor. He is famous for his studies of ageing, genetics and other medical conditions. He works at the Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics NAS of Ukraine. His scientific researches are printed by the most reputable international magazines. Some of his works are: Differences in the gut Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio across age groups in healthy Ukrainian population [BiomedCentral.com]; Mating status affects Drosophila lifespan, metabolism and antioxidant system [Science Direct]; Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum Increases Lifespan, Stress Resistance, and Metabolism by Affecting Free Radical Processes in Drosophila [Frontiersin].
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