A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a common blood test for men. It measures the amount of this antigen in a man’s blood to check for prostate problems like prostate cancer. PSA testing is usually recommended once a year for men 50 and older, or once a year for men 40 and older who have a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer.
The prostate is a small organ in a man’s reproductive system. It is about the size of a walnut and sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Its main job is to make the fluid that is part of the sperm and helps it grow and stay healthy.
One of the most common types of cancer in men, especially those over 65, is prostate cancer. It happens when cells in the prostate grow in an uncontrolled way and don’t divide in a normal way. When this happens, the PSA level of the man tends to go up.
With age, the prostate gland tends to get bigger, which can cause problems like putting pressure on the urethra. This pressure makes it hard for urine to flow, so the stream is weak. An enlarged prostate could also be a sign of prostate cancer, and a man’s PSA levels can help his doctor figure out if he needs to look into it further.
What is PSA Testing?
The cells of the prostate gland make a protein called PSA. For the PSA test, your doctor takes a small amount of blood from your arm and sends it to a lab for analysis.
A PSA test is used to check for prostate cancer, and a digital rectal exam (DRE) may be recommended along with it for men who:
- 50 years old or older
- Men over age 40 who are more likely to get prostate cancer
- Having trouble going to the bathroom
- Already have prostate cancer and need to be checked on a regular basis
Most of the time, the results come back within a few days and are given as nanograms of PSA per milliliter of blood (ng/mL). Most men have PSA levels that are lower than 4 ng/mL, but men with prostate cancer often have PSA levels that are higher than 4. Cancer can happen at any PSA level, though, because there are other factors at play.
To know more about PSA Testing, ask your friendly urologist about it and learn more about what to do next.
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