Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

What is it used for?

A PSA test is used to screen for prostate cancer. Cancer screening means looking for signs of cancer before it causes symptoms. But screening tests can’t diagnose cancer. If a screening test finds signs of cancer, you’ll need other tests to find out if you have cancer and how serious it may be.

Most types of prostate cancer grow very slowly. They don’t spread beyond the prostate and may never cause health problems. In fact, you can live a long life with prostate cancer and never know you have it. The goal of prostate cancer screening is to help find cancers that may be more likely to spread so they can be treated early. But there are challenges and possible harms from using a PSA test to screen for prostate cancer:

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• A PSA test can’t tell the different between abnormal PSA levels from prostate cancer and noncancerous conditions. If your PSA level is high, a prostate biopsy is the only way to find out if the cause is cancer. And prostate biopsies have possible harms.
• A PSA test may lead to finding and treating prostate cancer that would never have affected your health. If prostate cancer is found:
  • It can be difficult to tell the difference between slow-growing cancers and those that are likely to grow faster and spread in your body.
  • You could have prostate cancer treatment that you never really needed. And cancer treatment may cause serious harms, such as:
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Urinary incontinence
    • Problems controlling your bowels (poop)

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To decide whether a PSA test to screen for prostate cancer is right for you, talk with your health care provider about:

• Your risk for developing a serious type of prostate cancer. If your risk is high, the possible benefits of finding cancer early may outweigh the possible harms.
• Your general health. Are you well enough to have treatment for prostate cancer if it’s found?
• Your preferences. How do you feel about the possible benefits and harms of screening, diagnosis, and treatment?

PSA testing may also be used to:

• Help diagnose the cause of prostate conditions that aren’t cancer
• Monitor treatment for a prostate condition, including cancer

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