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| PSA test | |
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Measurement of PSA, or Prostate Specific Antigen, is done to contribute to an overall picture of prostate disease. Its level in the blood can vary, and there is no fixed link between PSA values and different prostate conditions - a PSA reading is not diagnostic. In general terms, the more active the prostate gland, the higher will be the PSA. So a low level usually indicates a normal prostate - but only if a digital rectal examination (DRE) also shows no abnormality. Similarly, a very high PSA may indicate prostate cancer, but if the prostate feels normal on DRE then this assumption may be incorrect and further investigation is called for. There has been a lot of debate recently about the value of PSA as a screening tool. On its own it is of little value, and current advice is that it should only be done if the patient has symptoms of prostate disease and/or the prostate feels abnormal on DRE. In conjunction with these other tests, a high PSA would be further confirmation that further investigation of the prostate was indicated, and the advice of a urologist should be sought. |
