PSA Prostate Cancer Screening Test

Concerned about prostate cancer? A PSA screening might be the proactive step you need.

Prostate cancer is a risk for all men, with over 10% of men in the U.S. developing the condition during their lifetime. Our PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening test measures the PSA levels in your blood. Elevated PSA levels can be an early indicator of prostate cancer, allowing you and your healthcare provider to determine if further testing or treatment is necessary.

Age is the most significant risk factor — the risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older. Many men with prostate cancer experience no early symptoms and may be unaware of the disease.

Note: This test does not diagnose prostate cancer but provides valuable insights into your prostate health, potentially leading to earlier detection and improved outcomes for some men. It is not intended for individuals who have had a prostatectomy or known prostate conditions. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if PSA screening is right for you. Check the guidelines and FAQs below for more information on the benefits and risks of PSA testing.

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Before Taking the Test

Sample Type: Blood

Age: 18+

Collection Method: In person

Results: 2 business days

Preparation: No special preparation is needed.

What’s Should I Check

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA):

A protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland, both normal and cancerous.

Why Choose This Test

Seeking early detection?

Our PSA test can support earlier diagnosis, potentially offering more treatment options and improving survival rates for some men. ¹

Prostate cancer ranks as the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the U.S., second only to lung cancer. ³

Does age play a role?

Yes, age is the most significant risk factor for developing prostate cancer.⁴

The American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk begin discussing the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening at age 50.⁵ Meanwhile, organizations like the American Urological Association suggest starting at age 55.⁶ ⁷ For men with an elevated risk, considering prostate screening at an earlier age may be advisable.

Could genetics be a factor?

Yes, genetics and family history can significantly influence the likelihood of developing prostate cancer.

If you have a family history of the disease, it’s advisable to consider early screening. Prostate cancer is more common in older men and non-Hispanic Black men. According to the American Cancer Society, non-Hispanic Black men and those with first-degree relatives (such as a father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 should consider screening starting at age 45. For men with multiple first-degree relatives diagnosed before age 65, screening may be recommended as early as age 40. ⁵

References

(1). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who is at Risk for Prostate Cancer? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Reviewed August 25, 2022. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/prostate-cancer/risk-factors

(2). U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. Final Recommendation Statement: Prostate Cancer Screening. U.S. Preventative Services Task Force website. Updated May 8, 2018. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/RecommendationStatementFinal/prostate-cancer-screening

(3). American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society website. Reviewed January 12, 2022. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

(4). Prostate Cancer Foundation. Prostate Cancer Risk Factors. Prostate Cancer Foundation website. Reviewed May 14, 2022. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.pcf.org/patient-resources/family-cancer-risk/prostate-cancer-risk-factors/

(5). American Cancer Society. Recommendations for Prostate Cancer Early Detection. American Cancer Society website. Reviewed April 23, 2021. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html

(6). American Academy of Family Physicians. Clinical Preventative Service Recommendation: Prostate Cancer. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Accessed December 20, 2022. https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/clinical-recommendations/all-clinical-recommendations/prostate-cancer.html

(7). Carter HB, Albertsen PC, Barry MJ, et al. Early detection of prostate cancer: AUA Guideline. J Urol. 2013 Aug;190(2):419-26. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2013.04.119.

(8). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What are the Benefits and Harms of Screening for Prostate Cancer? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Reviewed August 25, 2022. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/prostate-cancer/screening/get-screened.html

(9). Hoffman RM. Patient education: Prostate cancer screening (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate website. Updated March 22, 2021. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/prostate-cancer-screening-beyond-the-basics?topicRef=7567&source=see_link

FAQ list that we hope will help answer some of the more common queries

What is the prostate, and what role does it play in the body?

The prostate is a small gland essential to male reproductive health. It produces prostatic fluid, which helps extend the lifespan of sperm and contributes to the production of semen.

Who should be screened for prostate cancer?

Major medical organizations, including the US Preventive Services Task Force, American Cancer Society, and American Urological Association, agree that men should consult their healthcare providers about prostate cancer screening. They emphasize the importance of understanding the benefits and risks of screening and treatment, allowing men to make informed decisions aligned with their personal values and preferences.⁹

The recommended age for initiating discussions about screening is (according to the American Cancer Society or ACS):

Age 50: For men at average risk of prostate cancer with a life expectancy of at least 10 more years.
Age 45: For men at higher risk, including African Americans and those with a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65.
Age 40: For men at even greater risk, such as those with more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age.⁵

What are the risks of PSA screening?

While PSA screening can enable earlier detection of prostate cancer—potentially offering more treatment options and improving survival rates in some men—it’s important to be aware of the associated risks. These risks include false-positive results, overdiagnosis, and complications from treatment.

Overdiagnosis occurs when a slow-growing prostate cancer, which might never have caused symptoms during a patient’s lifetime, is detected and treated unnecessarily, leading to treatment-related complications without providing any real benefit.

Can PSA test results be false positives or false negatives?

Yes, both are possible.

False Negative Results: This occurs when the PSA level appears normal despite the presence of prostate cancer. Certain medications, such as finasteride (Propecia) or dutasteride (Avodart), can lower PSA levels, potentially leading to false negatives.
False Positive Results: This happens when PSA levels are elevated even though the individual does not have prostate cancer. False positives can cause unnecessary concern and may lead to additional testing or treatments. Older men are at higher risk for false positives since PSA levels naturally rise with age.⁸ Benign conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can also contribute to elevated PSA levels.

It’s essential to discuss your test results with your healthcare provider to understand their implications and determine the best course of action.

What does an elevated PSA level indicate?

High PSA levels can be a potential indicator of prostate cancer, but an elevated result does not always mean cancer is present. Benign conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis are common causes of increased PSA levels. In fact, BPH is far more prevalent than prostate cancer, affecting nearly 70% of men in their 60s.¹

Older men are more likely to experience false positive results, as PSA levels naturally rise with age even in healthy individuals. Studies have shown that men over 50 with mildly elevated PSA levels (4.0–10.0 ng/mL) have only a 25% chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer after a biopsy.²³

It’s crucial to discuss your test results with your healthcare provider, who can help interpret abnormal findings and decide if further evaluation is necessary.

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