The PSA test or Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test analyzes the level of prostate-specific antigen in the bloodstream of males. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate, a small gland that sits below the bladder in men.
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The PSA test or Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test analyzes the level of prostate-specific antigen in the bloodstream of males. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate, a small gland that sits below the bladder in men.
Prostate-specific antigen levels generally rise with age. PSA levels over the normal range might be an indicator of the signs of prostate cancer. Although, it does not confirm the prevalence of cancerous growth. This is because higher PSA levels may be a sign of other non-cancerous medical conditions. These disorders include enlargement of the organ amongst the elderly, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urinary infection, inflammatory condition of prostatitis, etc.
Since this PSA blood test does not confirm the presence of cancer in the prostate, doctors often recommend other prostate tests along with this test for accurate diagnosis.
The PSA blood test screens for the presence of unbound PSA. More specifically, the test is advised in the following instances:
Ejaculation has to be avoided for 24 to 48 hours before undergoing the PSA blood test. Hence, you have to abstain from sexual activities during this span of time. This is because ejaculation may raise PSA levels.
It is essential for you to discuss the medications and lab tests that you may be taking now or have taken in the recent past with your doctor. In case you have undergone a needle biopsy or cystoscopy of the prostate, discuss this with your doctor. So they can best decide how to proceed.
Let your doctor know about the medications that you might be taking. Such medications include prescription drugs, non-prescription or OTC (over-the-counter) drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbals.
Make sure to carry your medical documents for the doctor to thoroughly check the prescription drugs that you might be taking now. This will enable them to analyze whether any of these medications have a known history of interfering with outcomes of this blood test. They will then be able to advise you accordingly.
A specific normal value for PSA is hard to determine, as it varies in the same individual from time to time. For patients between the ages of 50 and 69 years, PSA levels of 4 ng/ml or less is considered to be normal.
As mentioned, elevated levels of PSA may be a sign of prostate cancer and other medical conditions like prostatitis, benign enlargement of the organ, etc.
Early-stage prostate cancers that are diagnosed through this test are usually localized in nature. Such conditions usually do not affect the quality of life or longevity of patients.
There is a high risk of the PSA blood test generating a false negative result. This implies that the test result might be normal despite the presence of prostate cancer.
If the doctor suspects this, they might recommend a repeat PSA test. Possibly along with other tests to confirm the result. Other medical tests that may be advised are imaging tests like X-rays, transrectal ultrasound, and/or cystoscopy.
In cases where patients with no symptoms of cancer in the prostate decide to undertake a PSA blood test, the doctor may advise them to undertake the test again. This will help in confirming the accuracy of the test results.
The PSA blood test involves a medical expert collecting blood from a patient as a sample for analysis at a laboratory. The healthcare professional selects a suitable vein, usually from the inner corner of the elbows or the hands.
The entire procedure does not generally extend beyond a few minutes. The pain differs between patients, varying from a mild prick to a sharp sting. Finally, the blood sample is sent to a laboratory for microscopic evaluation.
Learn more about cancer diagnosis and management here.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Prostate Specific Antigen-Free (Free PSA) https://www.nightingales.in/lab-tests/tests/prostate-specific-antigen-free-free-psa/55c0e27e02c54d0c001bf115 Accessed on 23/07/2020
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/psa-fact-sheet Accessed on 23/07/2020
Prostate cancer screening https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5494343/ Accessed on 23/07/2020
PSA testing https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/psa-testing/ Accessed on 23/07/2020
Should I have a PSA test? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/should-i-have-psa-test/ Accessed on 23/07/2020
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