PSA screening involves a simple blood test that measures the level of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), a protein produced by both normal and cancerous cells in the prostate.
The primary goal of PSA screening is to detect prostate cancer at an early, potentially curable stage, before symptoms develop. This is important because prostate cancer often causes no symptoms until it has reached an advanced (and sometimes incurable) stage, known as metastatic disease.
While PSA testing is not perfect and may lead to further investigations even when cancer is not present, it remains a valuable tool in assessing an individual’s risk and guiding further evaluation or surveillance.
What Is PSA?
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate gland. All men who still have a prostate will have a measurable level of PSA in their blood. PSA testing is commonly referred to as a “prostate check,” but it is important to understand that PSA is not a specific test for prostate cancer.
In men with prostate cancer, PSA levels are often higher than in those without the disease. However, there is no definitive “normal” PSA level—and elevated PSA can also result from other non-cancerous conditions, such as:
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) – non-cancerous prostate enlargement
- Prostatitis – inflammation or infection of the prostate
- Urinary tract infections or recent urological procedures
Because of this, PSA testing should be interpreted over time, rather than relying on a single reading. Trends in PSA levels, combined with clinical assessment and other diagnostic tools, provide a more accurate picture of prostate health.
Generally, the recommendation for screening is to have a PSA blood test at:
- 50 years of age with no family history of prostate cancer
- 45 years of age if you have a first degree relative (father, uncle or brother) with prostate cancer
