Prostate Cancer (PSA) Test

About Prostate Cancer and the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ positioned just below the bladder. In addition to assisting in semen production, the prostate produces a protein called prostate-specific antigen, which circulates in the blood, whether or not there is cancer in the prostate.² The PSA test is a blood analysis that measures how much prostate-specific antigen is in the blood. Sometimes a higher than expected PSA level in the blood can indicate cancer, which can then be confirmed with further prostate testing.

Prostate cancer is common; it is the second most common type of cancer in men (behind skin cancer).¹ About 175,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, but the death rate from this disease has dropped by more than half since 1993¹, driven by advances in testing and research. Many men with early-stage prostate cancer experience no symptoms, which is why it is so important for men in the high-risk groups to discuss the benefits of receiving a prostate test with their doctor.

Despite clear evidence that PSA testing has contributed to lowering the death rate from prostate cancer,³ PSA testing by itself is not an indication of cancer. There are other conditions that can cause elevated PSA levels, including an enlarged prostate or infection.

Higher than expected PSA levels in the blood will most likely lead to your physician taking additional steps: conducting a complete physical, including a digital rectal exam (DRE). If the DRE reveals that the prostate is enlarged or has any hard lumps, the doctor may order a biopsy or diagnostic ultrasound. The biopsy procedure will remove cells from the prostate to be analyzed under a microscope. If prostate cancer is found, it is given a Gleason score, which estimates the likelihood that the cancer will grow and/or spread to neighboring tissue. A low Gleason score (six or below) indicates the cancer is less likely to spread.³ Many forms of prostate cancer are slow growing, and unlikely to ever cause symptoms or spread outside the prostate. In these cases, doctors often will not recommend any treatment. Some prostate cancer treatments significantly impact quality of life, causing erectile dysfunction, incontinence and other problems. Your doctor can help you determine your best course of action based on the results of your tests.

Prostate Cancer Screening Details

The prostate cancer test is actually a finger-stick blood sample used to measure the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. Prostate-specific antigen is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), and the expected level varies by age group. Your prostate testing results will indicate if the PSA level in your blood is Normal or Abnormal. A normal prostate test result is 4.0 ng/mL and below, while 4.1 ng/mL or higher is considered abnormal. Your results letter will also indicate if you should follow-up with your personal physician for further discussion regarding your PSA test results.