Recent Blog Articles
How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals
Tick season is expanding: Protect yourself against Lyme disease
What? Another medical form to fill out?
How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
A muscle-building obsession in boys: What to know and do
Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline
Concussion in children: What to know and do
What color is your tongue? What's healthy, what's not?
Your amazing parathyroid glands
When — and how — should you be screened for colon cancer?
Prostate Knowledge Archive
Articles
Understanding PSA – I_D_2_b_1_a
Understanding PSA
This may be a normal fluctuation in your PSA level. An increase in your PSA of less than 0.75 ng/ml over one year is generally felt to be reassuring. Repeat testing in 3-6 months is a reasonable option. Discuss this with your doctor.
You have reached the end of this guide. What would you like to do?
Understanding PSA – I_D_2_b_2
Understanding PSA
Knowing your previous PSA levels is helpful, but not necessary. Nonetheless, your PSA level is mildly elevated. Follow-up is needed. Keep in mind that your risk of prostate cancer is still less than 40 percent.
Your options include
- referral to a urologist (prostate specialist)
- repeat PSA testing in several months
- measuring your “free” PSA level — This special way of testing your PSA level may help to decide if a biopsy is needed. High levels of free PSA are reassuring, while low levels are worrisome for cancer.
Understanding PSA – I_D_2_b
Understanding PSA
The next thing to determine is how fast your PSA levels has been rising. You can figure this out if your PSA was checked within the past year or so. You should subtract your last PSA result from your current results. For example, if your PSA was 4.5 last year and is 5.0 this year, it has increased by 0.5 points (ng/ml) over the past year. A quickly rising PSA is worrisome, while a slowly rising PSA (or PSA level that goes down) is reassuring.
Has your PSA level been checked within the past year?
Understanding PSA – I_D_2_a
Understanding PSA
Ejaculation or vigorous bicycle riding can cause a small increase in your PSA level. Consider repeating your PSA test in two weeks, after you’ve avoided bicycle riding and intercourse for at least 48 hours. If your repeat PSA level returns to normal (less than four), this is excellent news. If your PSA test remains elevated, further evaluation is probably needed. Your options include:
- referral to a urologist (prostate specialist)
Understanding PSA – I_D_2
Understanding PSA
PSA levels can also go up for other reasons. For example, riding a bicycle can put pressure on the prostate and cause a temporary spike in your PSA level. The same is true for ejaculation during sex or masturbation. In general, these activities cause PSA levels to rise only a little, and the PSA should return to normal within several days.
Did you ride a bicycle, have sexual intercourse or ejaculate in the 48 hours before blood was drawn for your PSA test?
Understanding PSA – I_D_1
Understanding PSA
Your PSA level may be falsely elevated. This means that although your PSA level is above normal, there is a good chance that you do not have prostate cancer.
Contact your doctor. You may need antibiotic treatment if you have evidence of a urinary tract infection or prostatitis. You should also talk to your doctor about repeating your PSA test in 1-2 months. If your repeat PSA level returns to normal (less than four), this is excellent news. If your PSA test remains elevated, further evaluation is probably needed. Your options include
Understanding PSA – I_D
Understanding PSA
Your PSA level is moderately elevated. About one in three men with a moderately elevated PSA level will be found to have early stage prostate cancer if a biopsy is performed. Early stage prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms, and your prostate may feel totally normal when examined by your doctor (digital rectal exam). One piece of good news is that early stage prostate cancer can often be cured.
Understanding PSA – I_E_2
Understanding PSA
Contact your doctor. Your PSA level is high. Your risk of prostate cancer is greater than 50 percent. Immediate follow-up is warranted. Speak to your doctor about referral to a urologist (prostate specialist) or arranging for a prostate biopsy.
You have reached the end of this guide. What would you like to do?
Understanding PSA – I_E
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.
Recent Blog Articles
How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals
Tick season is expanding: Protect yourself against Lyme disease
What? Another medical form to fill out?
How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
A muscle-building obsession in boys: What to know and do
Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline
Concussion in children: What to know and do
What color is your tongue? What's healthy, what's not?
Your amazing parathyroid glands
When — and how — should you be screened for colon cancer?
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up