What Are The Key Things To Know About The PSA Test?

July 1, 2009— -- Question: What are the key things to know about the PSA test?

Answer: The PSA test, or Prostate Specific Antigen testing, is a test that we use to help screen for prostate cancer. This particular protein is found in prostate cells and it is increased in men who have prostate cancer. Unfortunately, there are some deficiencies to the test and testing is somewhat controversial.

There are men who have elevated prostate specific antigen counts that have no prostate cancer; on the other hand there are other men who have low levels of PSA who have prostate cancer. However, this is the main test that we use currently to help make this diagnosis. Prostate cancer affects one out of six men in their lifetime. And this is one of the main ways that we help to screen for this condition.