Prostate cancers can produce more PSA per volume of tissue than benign prostate conditions can.
#Whats psst test free
If you have a high PSA level but a low percentage of free PSA, it may be more likely that you have prostate cancer. PSA circulates in the blood in two forms - either attached to certain blood proteins or unattached (free). However, recent studies have cast doubt on the value of PSA velocity in predicting a finding of prostate cancer from biopsy. A rapid rise in PSA may indicate the presence of cancer or an aggressive form of cancer. PSA velocity is the change in PSA levels over time. Researchers continue to investigate variations of the PSA test to determine whether they provide a measurable benefit. These other methods are intended to improve the accuracy of the PSA test as a screening tool. Your doctor might use other ways of interpreting PSA results before deciding whether to order a biopsy to test for cancerous tissue. Your doctor might recommend a prostate biopsy based on results of your PSA test. There's no specific cutoff point between a normal and an abnormal PSA level. Results of PSA tests are reported as nanograms of PSA per milliliter of blood (ng/mL). The blood sample is then analyzed in the lab to measure your PSA level. If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, but it appears to be a slow-growing tumor that doesn't result in illness, you may experience significant anxiety just knowing it's there.Ī nurse or medical technician will use a needle to draw blood from a vein, most likely in your arm. False-positive test results - high PSA levels but no cancer found with biopsy - can cause anxiety or distress.
A biopsy is a procedure that carries its own risks, including pain, bleeding and infection. The potential risks of the PSA test are essentially related to the choices you make based on the test results, such as the decision to undergo further testing and treatment for prostate cancer. These symptom-free cancers are considered overdiagnoses - identification of cancer not likely to cause poor health or to present a risk of death. Some prostate cancers detected by PSA tests will never cause symptoms or lead to death. And it's possible to have prostate cancer and also have a normal PSA level. An elevated PSA level doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. The test doesn't always provide an accurate result. Certain drugs used to treat BPH or urinary conditions, and large doses of certain chemotherapy medications, may lower PSA levels. Also, PSA levels normally increase with age. Besides cancer, other conditions that can raise PSA levels include an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) and an inflamed or infected prostate (prostatitis). Therefore, it's possible to have prostate cancer that never causes symptoms or becomes a medical problem during your lifetime. Prostate cancer usually progresses slowly over many years. Cancer is easier to treat and is more likely to be cured if it's diagnosed in its early stages.īut to judge the benefit of the test, it's important to know if early detection and early treatment will improve treatment outcomes and decrease the number of deaths from prostate cancer.Ī key issue is the typical course of prostate cancer. Benefits of the testĪ PSA test may help detect prostate cancer at an early stage. Discussing with your doctor the benefits, limitations and potential risks of the PSA test can help you make an informed decision. Medical organizations vary in their recommendations about who should - and who shouldn't - get a PSA screening test. Other reasons for PSA testsįor those who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the PSA test may be used to: A diagnosis of cancer is based on the biopsy results. Abnormal results in these tests may lead your doctor to recommend a prostate biopsy.ĭuring a prostate biopsy, samples of prostate tissue are removed for laboratory examination.
Neither the PSA test nor the digital rectal exam provides enough information for your doctor to diagnose prostate cancer. By feeling or pressing on the prostate, the doctor may be able to judge whether it has abnormal lumps or hard areas. In this test, your doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to reach the prostate. Another common screening test, usually done in addition to a PSA test, is a digital rectal exam. The PSA test is only one tool used to screen for early signs of prostate cancer. The PSA test can detect high levels of PSA in the blood but doesn't provide precise diagnostic information about the condition of the prostate. However, many noncancerous conditions also can increase the PSA level. Prostate cancer can cause elevated levels of PSA. Early detection may be an important tool in getting appropriate and timely treatment. Prostate cancer is common, and it is a frequent cause of cancer death.
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