PSA: Prostatic Specific Antigen

Your blood was tested for PSA (Prostatic specific antigen) by certified hospital laboratory technologists using the finest reagents and equipment. Although the following information is provided to help you understand your result, it is recommended that you discuss your test result with your personal physician if you have any questions or for further investigation in the event your result is abnormal. If you do not have a physician, you can receive help finding one by calling the St. John Medical Center Pulse line at 918-744-0123.

PSA is a molecule found in the prostate gland of all men. A small amount can also normally be detected in the blood. Research has shown that increased blood PSA levels may signal the presence of prostatic cancer, even at the earliest, most treatable stage, when the patient may still feel well and have no symptoms. An increased PSA level greater than 4.0 ng/ml (marked “H” for high) does not mean, however, that you have cancer. Increased PSA may also be commonly caused be non-cancerous conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It means that you may require additional examination and testing. Only your physician can determine the significance of an increased PSA in an individual patient. Rarely, PSA levels may be normal when a patient has prostate cancer. If you have symptoms such as reduced urine flow, difficulty starting urination, or pain urinating you should see your physician irrespective of your PSA level.

Periodic screening of men may help in the early detection of prostate cancer and the American Cancer society has recommended that individuals discuss the risks and possible benefits with their physician, prior to considering testing. PSA performed using Abbott Architect assay. This PSA assay is FDA approved for monitoring patients with known prostate cancer. FDA approval as an adjunct to rectal exam for screening purposes is pending.