Explore the key factors influencing PSA levels in men, including causes of elevation, screening guidelines, and implications for prostate health. Understanding PSA testing helps in early detection and timely management of prostate issues, emphasizing its significance in men's health care. Learn about benign conditions or risk factors that can affect PSA results and the importance of regular screening for optimal prostate health.

What You Need to Know About Elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by prostate gland cells. Elevated PSA levels in the blood can be an indicator of prostate issues, including cancer, but benign conditions like enlargement or inflammation can also cause increases. Since PSA testing began in 1986, it has been a vital method for assessing prostate health. This article highlights the importance of PSA screening and the common reasons for high PSA readings.

What Does a PSA Test Entail?

The PSA test measures the amount of PSA in the blood through a simple blood draw, with results reported in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).

Since 1994, PSA testing is often combined with digital rectal examinations (DRE) to improve prostate cancer detection. Men with symptoms or risk factors should consider both tests for accurate diagnosis.

Higher PSA levels may also be caused by benign issues such as prostate enlargement or inflammation, not necessarily cancer.

Recommendations for PSA Screening

Men over 50 are advised to have annual PSA tests. Those with increased risk, like family history or African heritage, should start screening at 40–45 years old.

Discuss with your healthcare provider about the advantages and potential downsides of PSA screening.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare and private insurance, cover yearly PSA testing for eligible individuals.

Tracking PSA After Treatment

PSA testing is useful for detecting cancer recurrence post-treatment. Persistently high levels may indicate a relapse.

Regular testing allows physicians to monitor changes over time and intervene early, often before symptoms develop.

Understanding Elevated PSA Results

High PSA levels in men without symptoms require additional testing to verify results and exclude false positives.

If PSA continues to increase or irregularities are found during DRE, further diagnostics like ultrasound, biopsy, or imaging might be needed.

Reasons for Increased PSA Levels

Age naturally impacts PSA, with levels up to 6.5 ng/mL considered normal for men in their 70s.

Prostatitis, a bacterial inflammation of the prostate, often affects men under 50 and temporarily raises PSA levels.

Procedures such as prostate biopsies or catheter placements can cause temporary PSA elevations, which usually normalize after some weeks.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate enlargement, can also raise PSA but is non-cancerous.

Urinary tract infections may elevate PSA temporarily, returning to normal once the infection is treated.