| What is PSA? | | | | However an abnormal result also can indicate a |
| PSA is prostate specific antigen. PSA is a protease | | | | recurrence of prostate cancer following therapy. |
| (protein) secreted the prostate gland. Its levels in the | | | | For example, in men with a surgically removed |
| blood are elevated in men with both benign prostatic | | | | prostate gland (prostatectomy), where all of the |
| hyperplasia and prostate cancer. PSA is now an | | | | cancer was contained, a PSA test should result in 0. |
| accepted and routine screening test for prostate | | | | However, if in these men the PSA test is positive or |
| cancer. | | | | shows increasing levels, it shows the cancer was not |
| The PSA Test | | | | successfully removed and / or it has spread. |
| PSA presence in the blood is very low, so its | | | | PSA Also Can Show Non-Cancerous Conditions |
| detection requires a very sensitive type of | | | | The PSA test result can indicate conditions other |
| technology. | | | | than cancer. |
| The test uses the monoclonal antibody technique. | | | | Often a higher PSA test result indicates benign |
| The PSA protein exists both in the blood by itself, | | | | prostatic hypertrophy, which his enlargement or |
| and joined with other substances. By itself, it is free | | | | hyperplasia of the prostate gland. These conditions |
| PSA, and joined with other substances, bound PSA. | | | | are due to an increase aging in certain men. |
| The term 'Total PSA' is the total both forms. The | | | | Also infection of the prostate gland, known as |
| PSA test gives the result of the Total PSA | | | | prostatitis, will cause an abnormal elevation of PSA. |
| Results of the PSA Test | | | | There are other conditions also which can result in |
| The highest normal level of Total PSA is 4 | | | | higher levels of PSA that are non-cancerous. |
| nanograms per milliliter, or ng/mL. Statistics show | | | | In each case however, the doctor will first perform a |
| men's prostate gland will generally increases in size | | | | biopsy to determine if cancer cells are present. |
| and produces more PSA with increasing age. | | | | The Free PSA Test |
| Therefore aging has a great role in the actual results | | | | Free PSA in the blood exists as well as bound PSA, |
| of the test. However, doctors would be concerned | | | | and there is now a test for Free PSA. Studies have |
| with anyone who had a result of over 4.5 ng/mL, | | | | shown that levels of free PSA decrease in men with |
| and would generally do a biopsy to determine | | | | prostate cancer. |
| physically if cancer were present | | | | The Free PSA levels in men with benign conditions will |
| Specific Use of the PSA Test for Cancer | | | | not decrease. Levels of Free PSA differ from test |
| Doctors are using the PSA test now in two ways. | | | | procedure to test procedure, but in any case, it is a |
| First as a screening test to determine elevated PSA | | | | good indication of the presence of cancer if the |
| levels (which might indicate cancer, but can also | | | | levels are shown to be decreasing. |
| indicate other conditions as well), or as a monitor test | | | | Who Should Test for PSA |
| for those who are known to have prostate cancer. | | | | Any many over 40 years old now should test for |
| With the screening technique, any increased levels | | | | PSA. Every man over 50 must test for PSA to insure |
| over 4.5 ng/mL require further investigation. As a | | | | that if there is a problem, it can be treated early. |
| monitoring test, high levels of PSA can indicate the | | | | Consult your physician if this article concerns you. |
| growing or reducing threat of cancer. | | | | |