Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

The Prostate-Specific Antigen test is used as a screening tool for prostate cancer. It is important to note that various non-cancerous conditions and even exercise can cause elevated levels of PSA.

Let’s talk about PSA testing, and why it’s not the crystal ball many hoped it would be. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. It’s a protein produced by the prostate gland, and the test measures its levels in the blood. The controversy stems from the fact that while higher levels can indicate cancer, they can also be caused by a variety of non-cancerous conditions. This has led to a lot of overdiagnosis and overtreatment over the years. During the era of widespread PSA screening, many prostate cancers detected may have been overdiagnosed. That means they would never have caused symptoms or shortened the man’s life if left undetected. There are quite a few non-cancerous conditions that can cause elevated PSA levels. Inflammation of the prostate, known as prostatitis, can cause PSA levels to spike. Even benign enlargement of the prostate, which is common as men age, can lead to higher PSA levels. And here’s something that might surprise. Recent ejaculation or vigorous exercise can also temporarily bump up those numbers. Intense physical activity can increase PSA levels by up to 20% for 24 hours afterward. As for prostatitis, it can sometimes double or even triple PSA levels temporarily. Doctors typically look at how PSA levels change over time rather than getting too hung up on any single result. A general rule of thumb is that a PSA increase of 0.75 ng per ml or more in a year might prompt further investigation.