The importance of PSA testing
PSA stands for Prostate-Specific Antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland. It can be measured with a simple blood test and is commonly used to help assess prostate health.
It is important to understand that PSA is not a test that diagnoses cancer on its own. Rather, it is a risk marker. Higher PSA levels may indicate that something is affecting the prostate, but they do not automatically mean that prostate cancer is present.
PSA levels can increase for several reasons that are not related to cancer. These include benign prostate enlargement (which becomes more common with age), prostate infection or inflammation, recent ejaculation, vigorous exercise such as cycling, and certain medical procedures involving the prostate.
Because of this, PSA results must always be interpreted carefully and in context. If a PSA level is higher than expected, the usual approach is to repeat the blood test to confirm the result. If the level remains raised, further assessment is often recommended, typically with an MRI scan of the prostate.
Modern prostate MRI has significantly improved the accuracy of prostate cancer assessment. It helps identify which men are more likely to benefit from a biopsy and which men can safely avoid one. This development has made PSA-based screening and investigation more precise and safer than in the past.
PSA testing may be worth considering if:
- you are over the age of 50,
- you are over 45 and have a family history of prostate cancer, or
- you are of Afro-Caribbean background, as the lifetime risk of prostate cancer is higher in this group.
When used appropriately, PSA testing can help detect prostate cancer at an early stage, when treatment options are often more effective and outcomes are better.
If you have any questions about PSA testing, your personal risk, or what your results may mean, please feel free to get in touch. I would be very happy to discuss this with you and guide you through the next steps in a clear, supportive, and reassuring way.