PSA Testing: What Is It and What Can the Results Tell You?

You may have heard the term PSA test during a routine checkup or a conversation about prostate cancer screening - but what exactly is being tested?

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, making it a good time to learn more about PSA testing, what the results can and cannot tell you, and why conversations about prostate health are important.

One of the biggest things to understand is that a PSA test doesn't diagnose prostate cancer on its own. Instead, it provides information that your healthcare provider can consider alongside your age, health history, family history, symptoms, previous test results, and other factors.

What Is PSA?

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by cells in the prostate.

It's normal for men to have some PSA in their blood. A PSA test is a blood test that measures the amount present.

Higher PSA levels can sometimes be associated with prostate cancer - but cancer isn't the only reason PSA can increase.

That's why PSA testing is best thought of as one piece of a larger prostate health picture rather than a simple "cancer or no cancer" test.

What Can Cause a Higher PSA Level?

An elevated PSA result can understandably cause concern, but a higher number does not automatically mean you have prostate cancer.

PSA levels may be affected by several factors, including:

• Prostate cancer

• An enlarged prostate

• Inflammation or infection involving the prostate

• Age

• Certain medical procedures

• Some medications

• Other factors that temporarily affect the prostate

Because there are multiple possible explanations, your healthcare provider will consider your PSA result in context rather than relying on the number alone.

What Happens If Your PSA Is Elevated?

An elevated PSA result doesn't necessarily lead straight to a cancer diagnosis.

Depending on your individual situation, your healthcare provider may recommend repeating the PSA test, monitoring how the level changes over time, performing additional testing, or referring you to a specialist for further evaluation.

Sometimes the trend in PSA results can provide useful information, which is another reason keeping up with recommended healthcare visits can be important.

If your PSA is elevated, ask your provider what the result means for you and what - if any - next steps are recommended.

PSA Testing and Prostate Cancer Screening

PSA testing can be used as part of prostate cancer screening, but screening isn't necessarily the same for every person.

The decision about whether and when to have PSA-based screening should involve a conversation with your healthcare provider. Factors such as your age, overall health, family history, and personal risk can all play a role.

Screening also has potential benefits and limitations. While it may help identify some prostate cancers earlier, PSA testing can also detect changes that ultimately aren't cancer or identify cancers that may never have caused health problems.

That's why an informed conversation with your healthcare provider is so important.

Family History Is Worth Talking About

Do you know whether prostate cancer runs in your family?

Family history can be an important part of understanding your individual risk.

If your father, brother, or another close relative has been diagnosed with prostate cancer - particularly at a younger age - make sure your healthcare provider knows.

Certain inherited genetic changes may also increase prostate cancer risk.

You don't need to understand your entire family medical history before making an appointment. Simply sharing what you do know can help your healthcare provider determine whether it affects recommendations for you.

Don't Wait for Symptoms to Think About Prostate Health

One reason prostate cancer screening receives so much attention is that early prostate cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms.

Feeling healthy doesn't necessarily tell you what's happening with your PSA level or prostate.

At the same time, urinary or other symptoms can have many causes that are unrelated to prostate cancer. If you notice changes or have concerns, talk with your healthcare provider rather than trying to determine the cause yourself.

Routine healthcare visits provide an opportunity to discuss prostate health before there's necessarily a problem.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About PSA Testing

You don't have to become an expert on prostate cancer screening before talking to your doctor.

A few simple questions can help start the conversation:

• Is PSA testing appropriate for me?

• When should I consider prostate cancer screening?

• Does my family history affect my risk?

• What does my PSA number mean?

• How does this result compare with previous tests?

• Could anything else be affecting my PSA level?

• If my PSA is elevated, what happens next?

• What are the potential benefits and limitations of screening?

The answers may be different from person to person - and that's exactly why having the conversation matters.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Starts With a Conversation

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month isn't about assuming every man needs the same test at the same age. It's about encouraging people to learn about prostate health, understand their individual risk, and have informed conversations with their healthcare providers.

PSA testing can provide valuable information, but the number doesn't tell the whole story.

If you aren't sure whether you've ever had a PSA test - or whether prostate cancer screening is appropriate for you - consider asking about it at your next healthcare visit.

And if prostate cancer runs in your family, don't keep that information to yourself. Make sure your healthcare provider knows.

A simple conversation about your age, health history, family history, and personal risk can help you and your provider make informed decisions about your prostate health.