Prostate cancer PSA levels

PSA is a protein made by prostate tissue and measured with a blood test. A raised result can occur with prostate cancer, but also with benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, infection, ejaculation or recent procedures. A lower result does not by itself exclude cancer. Clinicians look at the result alongside age, prostate size, family history, urinary symptoms and earlier results. A changing pattern may prompt repeat testing or further assessment rather than an immediate conclusion.

Ask what the result means in your own clinical context and whether anything before the test could have affected it. Keep records of dates, results, infections, procedures and medicines such as those used for prostate enlargement. Your clinician may recommend a repeat blood test, examination, imaging or biopsy based on the whole picture. Difficulty passing urine should be discussed separately because it can have several causes.

Arrange medical review for a persistent change in urination, blood in urine or semen, pelvic or bone pain, or an unexpected PSA result. Seek urgent help if you cannot pass urine, develop fever with urinary symptoms, or become acutely unwell. The urgency comes from the symptom or complication, not from a PSA number alone.

Ask how your result compares with earlier tests, whether your medicines or recent illness matter, and what follow-up is appropriate. Ask what a repeat test, scan or biopsy would clarify, and how treatment choices would depend on the findings.