One of the most important regular tests for men over the age of
fifty is the PSA. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein that the
prostate gland produces and is normally found in low levels in the
blood. Levels higher than 4.0 ng/mL however, can be a reason to worry.
Higher than expected PSA levels are a red flag to the physician because
they may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. Having a single
abnormal PSA result does not necessarily mean a man has prostate cancer,
as several other factors should also be taken into consideration.
Other, less frightening conditions or factors can also raise PSA levels in the blood. Sexual activity, or more specifically, ejaculating within 48 hours of a PSA blood test may cause a false high reading. Ejaculation causes PSA levels to rise and many physicians will recommend that the patient abstain from sexual activity for 48 hours prior to a PSA test.
Men who have an enlarged prostate or prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland will also produce higher than normal PSA levels in a blood test. Also, PSA levels tend to rise as a man ages. While the PSA test alone is not considered by professionals to be a tool for diagnosis of prostate cancer, it can be useful and even life saving.
High PSA results alone aren't enough to identify a cause, but when combined with tests such as a digital rectal exam, they can help the physician determine if a biopsy is necessary. Most physicians also perform a repeat PSA test on patients who's levels are high, because the PSA test itself is prone to false positive results. Keep in mind however, that the PSA test may also produce a false negative result, in which PSA levels are normal but cancer cells are present and go undetected.
The PSA test remains somewhat controversial in medicine, because it has not been proven that it saves lives. Still, as part of routine blood screening and physical examination,a PSA test can provide the physician with information they might otherwise not know. A higher than normal PSA should at the least, warrant observation and retesting. Prostate cancer occurs in higher incidences in men over the age of 50, but many small cancers of the prostate simply do not become life threatening. If you receive a high PSA result, talk with your physician to figure out what should be the next step.
Other, less frightening conditions or factors can also raise PSA levels in the blood. Sexual activity, or more specifically, ejaculating within 48 hours of a PSA blood test may cause a false high reading. Ejaculation causes PSA levels to rise and many physicians will recommend that the patient abstain from sexual activity for 48 hours prior to a PSA test.
Men who have an enlarged prostate or prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland will also produce higher than normal PSA levels in a blood test. Also, PSA levels tend to rise as a man ages. While the PSA test alone is not considered by professionals to be a tool for diagnosis of prostate cancer, it can be useful and even life saving.
High PSA results alone aren't enough to identify a cause, but when combined with tests such as a digital rectal exam, they can help the physician determine if a biopsy is necessary. Most physicians also perform a repeat PSA test on patients who's levels are high, because the PSA test itself is prone to false positive results. Keep in mind however, that the PSA test may also produce a false negative result, in which PSA levels are normal but cancer cells are present and go undetected.
The PSA test remains somewhat controversial in medicine, because it has not been proven that it saves lives. Still, as part of routine blood screening and physical examination,a PSA test can provide the physician with information they might otherwise not know. A higher than normal PSA should at the least, warrant observation and retesting. Prostate cancer occurs in higher incidences in men over the age of 50, but many small cancers of the prostate simply do not become life threatening. If you receive a high PSA result, talk with your physician to figure out what should be the next step.
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