Total PSA test

Total PSA

PSA is the so-called specific steroidal antigen, a protein produced by the prostate, or prostate gland. The total PSA test is performed from a patient's blood for early detection of prostate cancer.

The PSA test is painless and can be performed at any time of the day, as long as we follow the rules for preparing for the test. It is one of the primary screening tests that men should take. Risk factors include age and genetic predisposition. It is significantly higher if two of the closest relatives have had prostate cancer.

PSA test - who should perform it?

Total PSA testing should be performed by men who:

• have turned 50, every 1-2 years
• have turned 45 years old if their father or brother has developed prostate cancer
• before the age of 65
• they are over 40 years of age if multiple relatives were affected by prostate cancer before age 65
• have symptoms of prostate cancer
• have hematuria, suffer from perineal or lower abdominal pain
• are burdened with a genetic susceptibility to prostate cancer

The frequency of repeat testing depends on the PSA result:

2.5 ng/ml and above annually.

The test is performed annually

The decision to perform the test should be made by the patient after being informed of the benefits and risks of the test (false-positive results - elevated PSA levels may also be associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and inflammation within the prostate gland). It is also important to pay attention to the rate of PSA rise. An increase of more than 20% per year or more than 0.75 ng/ml may be indicative of disease.

Prostate cancer symptoms

• frequent urination
• bladder pressure
• weakening of urine stream
• constipation
• back pain in the lumbar spine
• weight loss
• erectile dysfunction

It is important to remember not to underestimate the first signs of disease. Detection of cancer at an advanced stage significantly hinders treatment. Prostate cancer in its early stages does not produce characteristic symptoms, but as it grows, it can easily metastasize to lymph nodes.

More than 10 men die every day from prostate cancer - remember to get screened!

Actions such as:

1. train ride
2. cycling
3. sexual intercourse

cause compression of the prostate gland and increase of PSA serum concentration. Consequently, the PSA test should be performed 2 days before or after any of these activities.

It is recommended to collect blood on an empty stomach, i.e. 8-12 hours after the last meal. Before the examination, patient should avoid drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco.

It is allowed to drink a small amount of water immediately before the test. A 15-minute rest is recommended before the blood collection.

PLEASE NOTE: Incorrect preparation for the test can lead to getting unreliable results.

Blood collection procedure

The test consists in drawing the blood from arm vein into a test tube. According to the collection procedure it includes: decontamination of the skin, putting on a tourniquet and clenching the fingers to expose the vein. Blood collection takes several seconds. After the blood collection, make sure to apply pressure to the puncture on an outstretched arm. The procedure does not take longer than a few minutes.

The results of total PSA test

• Test result available within 1 working day.