IMPORTANT NOTE: MOST COMMON PSA TEST

Synonyms: PSA

Why It Is Done:

This test is done to screen men with or without symptoms for prostate cancer. It is also used to monitor treatment for prostate cancer and to detect recurrence of prostate cancer.

Test Overview

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. PSA is released into a man's blood by his prostate gland. Healthy men have low amounts of PSA in the blood. The amount of PSA in the blood normally increases as a man's prostate enlarges with age. PSA may increase as a result of an injury, a digital rectal exam, sexual activity (ejaculation), inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), or prostate cancer.

How To Prepare

No special preparation needed