Contributed by -Healthians Team
What is the PSA test?
The PSA test is primarily used to screen for prostate cancer. It measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood which is produced by normal as well as malignant cells of the prostate gland (a small gland below the bladder). Although some PSA normally circulates in the blood, having it in high amounts may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. A point to note is that there are many medical conditions such as enlarged prostate which can increase the levels of PSA. Therefore, understanding the actual reason behind high PSA can be a complicated process and may call for further testing.
Who should get tested?
A PSA test is usually ordered for men under the following conditions:
- If they are between the ages of 55 and 69
- If they have a family history of prostate cancer
- When symptoms of prostate cancer such as painful, difficult and frequent urination, back pain and pelvic pain are present
- Repeated PSA testing may be ordered if earlier tests showed elevated levels
- To check the effectiveness of treatment for prostate cancer
Why is the PSA test needed?
Prostate cancer is common and one of the most common causes of death amongst men. With early detection and proper treatment, chances of survival can increase. Since PSA levels in prostate cancer go up, PSA test is often used as a screening tool.
PSA exists in two forms in the blood – complexed (cPSA bound to other proteins) and free (fPSA, not bound). The doctor may order for a total PSA test, which measures the sum of cPSA and fPSA or any one of them depending on your condition.
However, certain non-cancerous conditions like prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia can also increase the PSA levels. Increasing age is another cause. Hence, the PSA test doesn’t provide precise diagnostic information. It is only one of the screening tools for early signs of prostate cancer. The standard method to identify prostate cancer is the prostate biopsy, wherein small samples of prostate tissues are collected and abnormal cells are identified under a microscope.
What does PSA test results mean?
Although there are no normal PSA levels for any man at any given age, the following values are sometimes used for reference:
- Safe – 0 to 2.5 ng/mL
- Safe for most – 2.6 to 4 ng/mL
- Suspicious – 4 to 10 ng/mL
- Dangerous – 10 ng/mL and above
Having high levels of PSA is indicative of prostate cancer, but since it can happen due to other conditions as well, make sure you get your reports checked by a doctor. Only a professional healthcare practitioner can understand what the results actually mean for you considering your overall health.
How is the test done?
For the PSA test, a small sample of blood is needed. It is usually drawn from a vein in the arm. It’s a simple, quick and relatively painless procedure. At the most, you will feel the prick of the needle at the puncture site. Before the sample collection, it is advisable to inform your doctor about any pre-existing medical conditions you may have and medicines you take regularly as they can influence your test results.
