Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the United States—second only to skin cancer. Around 13 out of every 100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. While many cases grow slowly, some can be aggressive. The good news is that early detection may improve treatment options and outcomes. Because prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its earlier stages, regular screening is highly valuable for at-risk individuals. Those at higher risk include:
- Older men (most cases occur after age 50)
- Black men who have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and are more likely to present with advanced or aggressive disease
- Those with a family history of prostate cancer (especially in first-degree relatives)
What is PSA and why does it matter?
PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein made by the prostate gland. A PSA blood test measures the amount of PSA in your blood. Higher levels can indicate prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by benign conditions like an enlarged prostate or infection. Understanding what qualifies as a normal PSA level is important for accurate interpretation, since these values vary with age.
Normal PSA ranges by age:
PSA levels vary by age and other factors, with levels naturally increasing as you get older. Generally, a PSA below 4 ng/mL is considered normal, but interpretation should always be done by a healthcare provider. In addition, versions of the PSA test performed by different labs may have a different normal range, so pay attention to what your test report says and check with your doctor about your result.
Overall health status and even things like recently riding a bicycle can affect a PSA result. Therefore, the presence of those and certain risk factors for prostate cancer must be carefully considered when evaluating PSA test results. This approach helps minimize unnecessary anxiety or invasive follow-up procedures, while helping to identify clinically significant cases promptly.
Who should consider PSA testing?
Individuals with additional risk factors such as certain genetic risk factors or a history of prostate problems may also benefit from an earlier and more proactive approach to PSA screening.
Talk to your healthcare provider about PSA screening if you are:
- Age 50-69 and at average risk for prostate cancer
- Age 45-69 and at high risk (African American or family history)
- Age 40-69 and at very high risk (multiple relatives diagnosed early)
These groups may need to start screening earlier or discuss more frequent testing with their healthcare provider.
Deciding when to start screening is personal. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the benefits and risks based on your age, health and family history.
A high PSA doesn’t always mean cancer. Other conditions like infection or benign prostatic hyperplasia can raise PSA. If your PSA is high, your doctor may suggest repeating the test again in the future and/or recommend more tests like MRI or biopsy.
Your doctor looks at the full picture, including your age, health and risk factors, before deciding what an abnormal PSA result means.
Because PSA testing isn't perfect, sometimes leading to false alarms or unnecessary treatments, it's important to engage in the decision-making process with your healthcare provider. This shared decision-making can help you and your provider weigh the benefits of early detection against the risks of unnecessary tests or treatments.
Early detection saves lives, but PSA testing decisions should be made with your healthcare provider. Screening can help catch prostate cancer early when treatment is most effective.
Interested in learning more and getting started with prostate cancer screening? Consider checking out Labcorp’s OnDemand PSA test and talk to your healthcare provider.
Always consult your healthcare provider to determine if PSA testing is right for you and to interpret your results accurately.
