PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer The PSA blood test is currently the best tool we have for catching prostate cancer early, when it's most treatable. Get tested. It may save your life. Jump To Jump To Age Recommendations Questions about PSA Levels Find a Free Screening Location The PSA blood test What is PSA? Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. Its main role is to keeps semen in liquid form so that sperm can swim. A simple blood test can measure how much PSA is present in your bloodstream. In almost all cases of prostate cancer the PSA level increases. What is the PSA test? The PSA test is a simple blood test that measures the presence of PSA circulating in your bloodstream. This test is usually the first step in any prostate cancer diagnosis. However, the PSA blood test by itself can't tell you if cancer is present. The results are usually reported as nanograms of PSA per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood. What is a 'normal' PSA level?There is no specific 'normal' or 'abnormal' PSA level. Also, various factors can cause a PSA level to fluctuate. The information below provides guidance on what is considered a normal PSA range, and what may be considered a dangerous PSA level.If you are between ages 40 and 75, andBlack/African American, and/orHave a family history of cancer and/or a known genetic mutation that increases the risk for prostate cancerDiscuss the risk and benefits of prostate cancer screening with your doctorHave a baseline PSA and strongly consider a baseline digital rectal exam (DRE)If PSA less than 1 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing every 2 - 4 yearsIf PSA 1 - 3 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing every 1 - 2 yearsIf you are between ages 45 and 75, andAt average-riskDiscuss the risk and benefits of prostate cancer screening with your doctorHave a baseline PSA and strongly consider a baseline DREIf PSA less than 1 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing every 2 - 4 yearsIf PSA 1 - 3 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing every 1 - 2 yearsIf you are over age 75Talk with your doctor about if prostate cancer screening should continueIf PSA less than 4 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing in select patients every 1 - 4 yearsIf PSA greater than 4 ng/mL or a very suspicious DRE, talk with your doctor about further testing and follow-upUse the chart below to help guide your conversations with your healthcare provider. Want to download or print this graphic? Click here. Frequently asked questions about PSA levels Expand All What if my PSA level is high? You and your doctor can explore several options if your PSA is high.Have a second PSA screening. Recent research has shown that a second screening can improve the accuracy of an abnormal result.A digital rectal exam (DRE) can also provide more information.A biopsy can confirm the presence or absence of prostate cancer.It's important to know there are several other reasons why a PSA result might be high, including advanced age, ejaculation within the past 24 hours, and recently riding a bicycle.If you have an elevated PSA, talk with your doctor about your activities and your health. Additional tests may also be recommended. What if I have had a treatment for prostate cancer and my PSA starts to rise? When PSA levels rise to a certain threshold after prostate cancer treatment, this is known as biochemical recurrence. This means that some cancer cells have survived and are producing PSA. If this happens, the doctor will order additional tests and make recommendations for additional treatment. What if my PSA is rising quickly? The rate of yearly increase in the PSA level is known as the PSA velocity. This is one measure of prostate cancer risk that your doctor will use to consider next steps, since PSA levels can rise rapidly in men who have prostate cancer. It can be especially useful to find prostate cancer in early stages before the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. Understanding PSA screening recommendations The American Urologic Association (AUA), along with the Society for Urologic Oncology (SUO) issued an update to their Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Guidelines in 2023. This guideline provides recommendations for prostate cancer screening in different groups based on their age range and risk criteria, with an emphasis on shared decision-making.The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) also issued Prostate Cancer Early Detection Guidelines in 2023. This guideline provides recommendations for prostate cancer screening, the age to stop PSA testing, advanced imaging options, and how to balance early detection with overdiagnosis and overtreatment. What additional tests may be needed? A biopsy will be needed to confirm whether prostate cancer is present or not. There are additional tests that can give your doctor more information on how to determine the probability of both finding cancer during a biopsy and determining how aggressive that cancer is likely to be.None of these tests are conclusive on their own. In addition to a PSA test, DRE, and a biopsy, these tests can provide each patient with more information about their specific cancer and can aid in both the diagnosis and decision on treatment. Free prostate cancer testing near you Talk to your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer and when to begin PSA testing. If you do not have a doctor, do not have insurance, or cannot afford a test, find out if free screenings are available in your area. Find a Free Screening Location
The PSA blood test What is PSA? Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. Its main role is to keeps semen in liquid form so that sperm can swim. A simple blood test can measure how much PSA is present in your bloodstream. In almost all cases of prostate cancer the PSA level increases. What is the PSA test? The PSA test is a simple blood test that measures the presence of PSA circulating in your bloodstream. This test is usually the first step in any prostate cancer diagnosis. However, the PSA blood test by itself can't tell you if cancer is present. The results are usually reported as nanograms of PSA per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood.
What is a 'normal' PSA level?There is no specific 'normal' or 'abnormal' PSA level. Also, various factors can cause a PSA level to fluctuate. The information below provides guidance on what is considered a normal PSA range, and what may be considered a dangerous PSA level.If you are between ages 40 and 75, andBlack/African American, and/orHave a family history of cancer and/or a known genetic mutation that increases the risk for prostate cancerDiscuss the risk and benefits of prostate cancer screening with your doctorHave a baseline PSA and strongly consider a baseline digital rectal exam (DRE)If PSA less than 1 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing every 2 - 4 yearsIf PSA 1 - 3 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing every 1 - 2 yearsIf you are between ages 45 and 75, andAt average-riskDiscuss the risk and benefits of prostate cancer screening with your doctorHave a baseline PSA and strongly consider a baseline DREIf PSA less than 1 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing every 2 - 4 yearsIf PSA 1 - 3 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing every 1 - 2 yearsIf you are over age 75Talk with your doctor about if prostate cancer screening should continueIf PSA less than 4 ng/mL and DRE normal (if done), repeat testing in select patients every 1 - 4 yearsIf PSA greater than 4 ng/mL or a very suspicious DRE, talk with your doctor about further testing and follow-upUse the chart below to help guide your conversations with your healthcare provider. Want to download or print this graphic? Click here.
Frequently asked questions about PSA levels Expand All What if my PSA level is high? You and your doctor can explore several options if your PSA is high.Have a second PSA screening. Recent research has shown that a second screening can improve the accuracy of an abnormal result.A digital rectal exam (DRE) can also provide more information.A biopsy can confirm the presence or absence of prostate cancer.It's important to know there are several other reasons why a PSA result might be high, including advanced age, ejaculation within the past 24 hours, and recently riding a bicycle.If you have an elevated PSA, talk with your doctor about your activities and your health. Additional tests may also be recommended. What if I have had a treatment for prostate cancer and my PSA starts to rise? When PSA levels rise to a certain threshold after prostate cancer treatment, this is known as biochemical recurrence. This means that some cancer cells have survived and are producing PSA. If this happens, the doctor will order additional tests and make recommendations for additional treatment. What if my PSA is rising quickly? The rate of yearly increase in the PSA level is known as the PSA velocity. This is one measure of prostate cancer risk that your doctor will use to consider next steps, since PSA levels can rise rapidly in men who have prostate cancer. It can be especially useful to find prostate cancer in early stages before the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. Understanding PSA screening recommendations The American Urologic Association (AUA), along with the Society for Urologic Oncology (SUO) issued an update to their Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Guidelines in 2023. This guideline provides recommendations for prostate cancer screening in different groups based on their age range and risk criteria, with an emphasis on shared decision-making.The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) also issued Prostate Cancer Early Detection Guidelines in 2023. This guideline provides recommendations for prostate cancer screening, the age to stop PSA testing, advanced imaging options, and how to balance early detection with overdiagnosis and overtreatment. What additional tests may be needed? A biopsy will be needed to confirm whether prostate cancer is present or not. There are additional tests that can give your doctor more information on how to determine the probability of both finding cancer during a biopsy and determining how aggressive that cancer is likely to be.None of these tests are conclusive on their own. In addition to a PSA test, DRE, and a biopsy, these tests can provide each patient with more information about their specific cancer and can aid in both the diagnosis and decision on treatment.
Free prostate cancer testing near you Talk to your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer and when to begin PSA testing. If you do not have a doctor, do not have insurance, or cannot afford a test, find out if free screenings are available in your area. Find a Free Screening Location
