May
03
2009
What does PSA mean?
PSA stands for “prostate-specific antigen” which is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood and is used as a screening test to check for the presence of disease in the prostate gland, specifically prostate cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the PSA test along with a digital rectal exam (DRE) to help detect prostate cancer in men age 50 and older. Several risk factors increase a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer. These factors include:
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Age (65% of prostate cancer cases occur in men 65 and over)
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Family history
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Race (African American men have the highest rate; Asian men have the lowest)
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Diet (diets high in saturated fat may increase the risk of prostate cancer)
The test results are usually reported in nanograms of PSA per milliliter (ng/ml) of blood. In the past, most doctors considered PSA values below 4.0 as normal, however, recent research has found prostate cancer in men with PSA levels below 4.0. There is no specific normal or abnormal PSA level. The higher a man’s PSA level, the more likely it is that cancer is present. If no other symptoms suggest cancer, the doctor may recommend repeating the DRE and PSA tests regularly to watch for any changes. If a man’s PSA levels have been increasing or if a suspicious lump is detected during the DRE, the doctor may recommend other tests (urine, ultrasound, biopsy) to determine if there is cancer or another problem in the prostate.
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