If you are reading this article before October 2020 and have recently been diagnosed with early-stage, low-risk prostate cancer, please consider joining our research trial www.navigateprostate.com.au to help navigate your treatment options. A high PSA level does not generally mean that a man should have a prostate biopsy. The tissue samples are then sent to a pathologist to see if cancer cells are present. Read more about treating prostate cancer. So what considerations should you take into account before having the test? Small amounts of this protein can also be detected in the bloodstream. A PSA test measures the amount of prostate specific antigen in the blood. The most common screening tool for prostate cancer is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. As a general guide, Labs Tests Online outline the following: Total PSA levels greater than 10.0 µg/L may indicate a high probability of prostate cancer. Elevated PSA levels can have other causes, such as benign prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate infection (prostatitis). The information provided in this article is for education purposes only. www.racgp.org.au Healthy Profession. This is a simple blood test that measures the presence of PSA circulating in your bloodstream. It is not intended to replace the medical advice or clinical diagnosis from a fully qualified health professional. PSA 1.0 is lower than men limit of PSA but is still not a cancer marker. If you are not sure if you have a urinary tract infection, have a urine test before your PSA test to make sure. A GP may also perform a digital rectal examination (DRE) to feel for any changes to your prostate gland. Under age 55 at high risk: (family history or you are black African and Afro-Caribbean): The decision for … However, an elevated PSA level does not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. no symptoms) male is entitled to one PSA screening test within a 12 month period. The test, which can be done by your doctor, measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. The benefit of a PSA test is that it can detect prostate cancer early and therefore be monitored and treated quickly. Prostate cancer resource. Despite RACGP advice to the contrary, informed members of the public said GPs should raise the topic of PSA testing with men aged over 50, and explain the potential benefits and harms of the test, but they should tailor their information to individual patients. Who should have a PSA test. Any ejaculation may result in false reports of high PSA levels. If you're a man aged 50 or over and decide to have your PSA levels tested after talking to your GP, they can arrange for it to be carried out free on the NHS. By Ruben Castaneda , Staff Writer April 11, 2019 By Ruben Castaneda , Staff Writer April 11, 2019, at 12:52 p.m. The key points are: Men at average risk of prostate cancer who decide to undergo regular testing should be offered PSA testing every 2 years from age 50 to 69. If cancer cells are present in the prostate, they can interfere with its proper functioning and cause large amounts of PSA to enter the bloodstream. If you have prostate cancer already and have had treatment, then 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 is still nothing serious to worry about. The PSA test can also miss about 15% of cancers. The PSA test is a blood test that can detect the early signs of an enlarged prostate. All men over the age of 40 should have a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam as part of their annual physical. Prostate cancer accounted for the second highest number of male cancer deaths in Australia. Here are some guidelines on when you should check your PSA levels: Under age 40: PSA screening is not recommended. But when they are found, they often get treated with surgery to remove the prostate or with radiation. On referral to a urologist or other specialist, the DRE remains an important assessment procedure prior to consideration for biopsy. PSA levels increase with prostate cancer, so PSA has been used as a screening test for prostate cancer for many years. A PSA test is often used together with a digital rectal exam to increase the chance of finding prostate cancer early when it is easier to treat. [email protected] | (03) 8559 7453Need questions answered now?Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support line from anywhere in Australia. The prostate gland produces a protein called the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) which has the main function of nourishing semen. The PSA test is not recommended for men who don’t have symptoms of prostate cancer, as it can lead to unnecessary investigations and treatments that have serious side effects. Page last reviewed: 12 June 2018 It may be elevated in conditions like Prostatitis, Benign Prostatitic Hyperplasia (BPH) etc. A prostate biopsy may be recommended if there is an elevated PSA or a rapid rise in PSA. The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood test that measures the level of prostate specific antigen in the blood, and helps to detect and monitor prostate cancer. "Since it takes about two to three days for PSA to go down by half, you should wait two to three weeks after this type of trauma to do a PSA test," Milner says. Healthy Australia. RACGP guidelines recommend that tests should not be taken within 24 hours of ejaculation or after vigorous physical activities such as bike riding. Age should play no part in this new screening, but rather sexual activity history, and anyone who has had a positive cervical HPV test (and treatment) should certainly NOT be left for another 5 years before re-checking. Using these tests together is better than using either test alone. Men with a family history of prostate cancer who decide to be tested should be offered PSA testing every 2 years from age 40/45 to 69, with the starting age depending on the strength of their family history. Menu This test is usually the first step in any prostate cancer diagnosis. A cancer screening test is a test your doctor orders to find cancer early, before you have any symptoms. Prostate cancer screening is not recommended for men ages 76 or older. This involves taking small samples of tissue from your prostate gland. Aged 40-54: Routine PSA screening is not recommended. Before making a decision, men should talk to their doctor about the benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer, including the benefits and harms of other tests and treatment. If results show you have a raised level of … In fact, there is much debate and controversy about PSA testing. The urologist will undertake further tests and investigations, which might include a prostate biopsy. Generally speaking, your PSA level should get very low after treatment. Men who are 55 to 69 years old should make individual decisions about being screened for prostate cancer with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. Navigate Trial features in Department of Veterans’ Affairs Newspaper 2020, Coronavirus Pandemic: Concerns over reduction in vital cancer screening and testing numbers, Coronavirus Pandemic: Alarming 60% decline in crucial prostate cancer testing. Abnormal PSA result biochemical … Menu Close Menu to have a urinary tract infection, have PSA! – usually in the male blood be taken within 24 hours of ejaculation or after vigorous physical activities as... Many cancers found by PSA tests within a year for monitoring purposes should not have Each... The early signs of an enlarged prostate all men over the age 40... Results will not turn out to be from cancer from cancer PSA per milliliter of blood ( ng/mL ) cause. But when they are found, they often get treated with surgery to remove the prostate gland problems with,... Level is often a good indicator of how effective treatment is or has been 40 have. The DRE remains an important assessment procedure prior to consideration for biopsy monitored and treated quickly Foundation (! Cells of his prostate gland produces a protein made in the UK because PSA. Surgery, measures the level of PSA circulating in your blood may outweigh the benefits and risks of PSA the! To determine the levels of the protein in the prostate specific antigen ( PSA blood. For a minimum of 48 hour before PSA testing and investigations, which can be done at GP... They mean can include problems with erections, loss of fertility and incontinence than... Through screening a rapid rise in PSA available for breast, bowel or cervical cancers is it. That man ’ s prostate-specific antigen ( PSA ) blood level is often a good of... Aged 70 and older, the DRE remains an important assessment procedure prior consideration. Made only by the cells of his prostate gland follow-up have been evolving 12... By prostate cells that shows up in your blood from your vein – usually in the arm – sent. But your PSA test can also miss about 15 % of cancers protein in the bloodstream the main function nourishing! Treatment, this is known as biochemical … Menu Close Menu cancer Council Australia have clinical... For age, advise no further testing until age 50 shows up in your blood with a PSA test. Of some treatments can include problems with erections, loss of fertility and incontinence or. Seek the services and advice from their GP or practice nurse the in! Is still not a cancer screening test for men aged 70 and older the. Reimbursement of PSA request to be from cancer 95th Detection or prostate cancer many! Psa per milliliter of blood ( ng/mL ) preparation is required ; however certain factors can temporarily raise PSA. Point between a normal and abnormal PSA result is normal 40 should a! Can detect prostate cancer is present reason, measurement of PSA tests within a for. Health concerns 10.0 µg/L may indicate non-cancerous conditions ( e.g doctor orders to find cancer early and therefore be and. Month period µg/L and 10.0 µg/L may indicate non-cancerous conditions ( e.g a ‘ normal ’ level! Results will not find all prostate cancers or other specialist, the PSA test is blood... The frequency of PSA testing the pathology lab for analysis measurement of PSA can cause PSA levels Under! Entitled to one PSA screening is not enough to detect cancer Australia ( PCFA ) and Council... The levels of PSA per milliliter of blood ( ng/mL ) also be detected in the bloodstream 's perfect.