Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced only by the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a doughnut-shaped gland located in a man's pelvis in the small space between the base of the penis and the bladder. The prostate makes the fluid that nourishes sperm and carries sperm during ejaculation. The amount of PSA produced by the prostate gland can be helpful in detecting prostate cancer very early. If you have prostate cancer.PSA is an important tool for following the progress of the cancer.

 

The amount of PSA produced by the prostate usually increases if you have prostate cancer. Checking for high PSA levels helps health care providers diagnose prostate cancer early. It also is a way to check how well treatment of prostate cancer is working. Prostate cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths of men in the US. The prostate cancer death rate is especially high among African American men. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. PSA can be measured with a simple blood test. It is an important test because prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages.

 

PSA circulates in a man's blood. Normal levels.which increase with age.have been determined. The PSA blood serum test shows whether the amount of PSA in your blood is in the normal range. Not all health care providers agree about the value of the PSA blood test and whether it should be done routinely for men over a certain age. However.the American Cancer Society suggests that all men age 50 or older should have prostate cancer screenings every year. The screenings include a rectal exam and a serum PSA level. (Note: Men should have annual rectal exams starting at age 40 to screen for colon and rectal cancer.) If you are at increased risk for prostate cancer (for example.if you are African American or have a family history of prostate cancer).your health care provider may recommend starting screening earlier than age 50.

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