Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Should You Have a PSA Test?

Out of 100 people who have a PSA test, 24 will have a positive result, which could mean cancer, and of these 10 will have a positive biopsy showing cancer, and of these 8 will choose to have treatment.

Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the prostate. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It's a small organ below the bladder that makes fluid for semen. The prostate also releases prostate-specific antigen (PSA) into the blood. A PSA test measures the amount of PSA in your blood. A high PSA level in the blood may mean that your prostate is enlarged or infected. It could also mean that you have prostate cancer.

Screening can help find prostate cancer early. When it's found and treated early, the cancer may be cured.

In most cases, prostate cancer isn't life-threatening. This is especially true in someone who is older and when the cancer grows slowly.

Only you know which option is right for you. Work with your doctor to be sure that your decision aligns with what’s important to you. Take a few minutes to compare the options and see what you prefer.

What's involved

Have a PSA test	Don't have a PSA test
You have a blood test to check your PSA level. If it’s high, you may have more tests, such as repeat PSA tests or a prostate biopsy.	You’ll see your doctor as needed or if you have prostate or urinary symptoms.

Benefits

Have a PSA test	Don't have a PSA test
A PSA test can help find some prostate cancers early. When prostate cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. About 10 out of 100 people who have a PSA test get a confirmed diagnosis of prostate cancer. PSA testing may prevent some deaths from prostate cancer. Of those who are diagnosed with cancer and have treatment: About 4 out of 100 people avoid cancer spreading to other organs. About 1 out of 100 people avoid death from prostate cancer.	You avoid testing that could lead to a diagnosis of cancer and avoid treatments that can cause urinary, bowel, and erection problems. You may avoid invasive testing, such as a prostate biopsy. These tests could be harmful and cause worry.

Have a PSA test

Don't have a PSA test

A PSA test can help find some prostate cancers early. When prostate cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat.

About 10 out of 100 people who have a PSA test get a confirmed diagnosis of prostate cancer.

PSA testing may prevent some deaths from prostate cancer. Of those who are diagnosed with cancer and have treatment:

About 4 out of 100 people avoid cancer spreading to other organs.
About 1 out of 100 people avoid death from prostate cancer.

You avoid testing that could lead to a diagnosis of cancer and avoid treatments that can cause urinary, bowel, and erection problems.

You may avoid invasive testing, such as a prostate biopsy. These tests could be harmful and cause worry.

Risks

Have a PSA test	Don't have a PSA test
After a PSA test, you may have a small bruise at the test site. A PSA test may miss some cancers. Some PSA test results may be normal when there is cancer (called a false negative). A PSA test may show a high PSA level that is not caused by cancer (called a false positive). About 2 out of 3 people who have a positive PSA test may have a false positive result and don’t have cancer. If your PSA level is high, you may need more tests to check for cancer. These tests may include a prostate biopsy, which could be harmful and cause worry. About 1 out of 100 people who have prostate biopsies have problems from the biopsy that require hospitalization. A PSA test may find cancers that wouldn't have caused a problem (called overdiagnosis). Of those diagnosed with prostate cancer, 20% to 50% are diagnosed with cancer that never grows, spreads, or harms them. This can lead to cancer treatments you don't need. Cancer treatments can cause urinary, bowel, and erection problems. Of those who have prostate cancer treatment: About 62 out of 100 people get erectile dysfunction. About 19 out of 100 people get urinary incontinence. About 6 out of 100 people die from prostate cancer even after treatment.	You may miss the chance of finding prostate cancer early, when the cancer may be easier to treat.

Have a PSA test

Don't have a PSA test

After a PSA test, you may have a small bruise at the test site.

A PSA test may miss some cancers. Some PSA test results may be normal when there is cancer (called a false negative).

A PSA test may show a high PSA level that is not caused by cancer (called a false positive).

About 2 out of 3 people who have a positive PSA test may have a false positive result and don’t have cancer.

If your PSA level is high, you may need more tests to check for cancer. These tests may include a prostate biopsy, which could be harmful and cause worry.

About 1 out of 100 people who have prostate biopsies have problems from the biopsy that require hospitalization.

A PSA test may find cancers that wouldn't have caused a problem (called overdiagnosis).

Of those diagnosed with prostate cancer, 20% to 50% are diagnosed with cancer that never grows, spreads, or harms them. This can lead to cancer treatments you don't need.

Cancer treatments can cause urinary, bowel, and erection problems. Of those who have prostate cancer treatment:

About 62 out of 100 people get erectile dysfunction.
About 19 out of 100 people get urinary incontinence.
About 6 out of 100 people die from prostate cancer even after treatment.

You may miss the chance of finding prostate cancer early, when the cancer may be easier to treat.

Where can you learn more?

Go to http://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

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Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.