Screening for Prostate Cancer
Michael Jubinville, MPH
The purpose of screening is to find and treat diseases early. They are given to people who may be at high risk, but who don’t have problems.
Screening Guidelines and Tests
A blood test called PSA may be used to screen for prostate cancer. You will need to consider many factors before taking a PSA test. First, there isn't a clear normal level of PSA. This can lead to:
Second, many types of prostate cancer grow very slowly. A PSA test may show a small tumor that's not causing any problems. This would not impact health before the natural end of life. A positive PSA test, even if cancer is there, may lead to unneeded tests and procedures for a cancer that would have not needed to be treated. Because of this, most organizations guide men to talk to their doctors about the risks and benefits of PSA screening.
The PSA test measures the levels of PSA in your blood. PSA is a type of protein. It’s made in the prostate gland and released into the bloodstream. Outside of cancer, higher PSA levels may happen because of:
If your PSA is elevated, it doesn't mean cancer is present.
Your doctor may:
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What tests can detect prostate cancer early? American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/early-detection/tests.html. Updated April 14, 2016. Accessed October 29, 2018.
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Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Last Updated: 10/29/2018
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