Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
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A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in a sample of your blood. PSA is a protein made by your prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system.
It lies just below the bladder. It makes the fluid part of semen. It's normal to have a low level of PSA in your blood.
A high PSA level may be caused by: Prostate cancer; An enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH); Prostatitis, inflammation (swelling and pain) in the prostate gland; Other common prostate problems; Urinary tract infections (UTIs); Taking certain medicines; A PSA test can't show what is causing abnormal PSA levels. So, if your level is high, you may need other tests.
Why this test is done
It's your choice whether to have a PSA test to screen for cancer. You and your provider may consider your risk for developing a serious cancer that could spread if you don't catch it early. Your risk for serious prostate cancer may be higher depending on your:
- Age. The risk of prostate cancer increases after age 50.
- Your family health history. If members of your family have had prostate cancer, your risk may be higher.
- Your race. Prostate cancer is more common in Black men, who also have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer at a younger age and having more serious disease.
You may also have a PSA test if:
- You have symptoms of a prostate condition, such as:
- Painful, slow, and/or frequent urination (peeing)
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pelvic and/or back pain
- Urinary incontinence
- You have prostate cancer. Your provider may use PSA testing to monitor your condition or to see how well treatment is working.
How to prepare
You will need to avoid having sex or masturbating for 24 hours before your PSA test. That's because releasing semen can increase your PSA levels, which may make your results less accurate. Also, certain medicines may affect your test results, so tell your provider about any medicines you take.
But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
Sample type
Blood
Other names for this test
total PSA, free PSA
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Educational content only. This entry describes what a test measures and how published reference ranges are defined. It is not a diagnosis, does not interpret your personal results, and is not a substitute for a qualified doctor.