Understanding PSA

Your PSA level is moderately elevated. More than half of men whose PSA level is ten or above will be found to have prostate cancer if a biopsy is performed.

However, not all men with an elevated PSA level have prostate cancer. Instead, the PSA level can rise for another reason, such as

• benign growth of the prostate gland (also known as BPH or benign prostate hypertrophy)
• a prostate infection or urinary tract infection
• damage to the prostate caused by a surgery or trauma.

Therefore, if your PSA level is above ten , the first thing to find out is whether you may have had any of the following within the past two months:

• a prostate or bladder infection
• urinary symptoms such as burning with urination, dribbling, hesitancy, or pain in the groin
• prostate or bladder surgery
• a bladder catheter used to drain urine while you are in the hospital or during minor surgery
• trauma to the groin, for example, a major car or industrial accident.

Have you experienced any of these conditions?

• Yes, I have.
• No, I have not.

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