PSA Testing

ABOUT PSA TESTING

What is PSA testing?

A PSA test is a blood test which measures the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA).

It is used to help detect prostate cancer at an early stage before symptoms arise.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men.

It is located just below the bladder, surrounding the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body).

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. Its function is to produce seminal fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. This fluid makes up the majority of semen.

What causes an abnormal PSA?

An abnormally high PSA level can be due to prostate cancer, but it does not always mean cancer is present. Other prostate conditions, such as prostate enlagement, and prostate inflammation (prostatitis) can also affect PSA levels.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease cause by abnormal growth of cells in the prostate. These cells have the potential to grow within the prostate and spread to other parts of the body.

Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland that commonly occurs in men as they age. The prostate surrounds the urethra, so when it enlarges, it can press against the urethra and block urine flow.

Urinary tract infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs involve the lower urinary tract, specifically the bladder and urethra.

Who should have a PSA test?

A PSA blood test may be ordered by your GP as part of a regular health check up.

PSA testing is currently recommended for men over age 50, or over the age of 40 with a family history of prostate cancer, even if you have no symptoms.

PSA testing is also recommended for men who have urinary symptoms that could be due to a problem with the prostate.

What are the symptoms of prostate problems?

Prostate cancer usually has no symptoms at an early stage, which is why PSA testing is useful in detecting the disease early.

Urinary symptoms such as poor stream, frequency and urgency, and waking at night to void, are more likely to be symptoms of prostate enlargment than prostate cancer, but occassionally advanced prostate cancer can cause these symptoms.