Proactive Screening for Your Long-Term Health.

What is the PSA Test?

PSA stands for Prostate-Specific Antigen. It's a protein produced by the prostate gland, and a small amount of it normally circulates in the blood. A PSA test is a simple blood test that measures these levels. An elevated PSA level can be a sign of a prostate issue, such as:

• Prostate Cancer: Cancerous cells can cause more PSA to leak into the bloodstream.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): An enlarged prostate, which is a common non-cancerous condition, can also raise PSA levels.
• Prostatitis: Inflammation or infection of the prostate.

It's important to know that a high PSA is not a diagnosis of cancer, but it is a signal that further investigation is needed.

Who Should Be Screened?

Recommendations for when to start screening vary, but generally:

• Men with an average risk should consider starting the conversation about screening with their doctor around age 50.
• Men with a higher risk (e.g., a family history of prostate cancer) should consider starting as early as age 40 or 45.

The decision to test is a personal one, and our doctors can help you understand the pros and cons.

Our Screening Process

1. Consultation: A discussion with our doctor about your personal and family health history to assess your risk.
2. PSA Blood Test: A simple, quick blood draw. For best results, we recommend abstaining from ejaculation for 48 hours before the test.
3. Results & Guidance: We will review your PSA level with you and discuss what it means. We look not just at the absolute number, but also the trend over time (PSA velocity). If levels are elevated, we will guide you on the next steps, which may include further testing or referral to a specialist.