Elevated PSA

Arizona Urology

Urology located in Goodyear, Glendale, and Gilbert, AZ

Elevated PSA levels can be a sign of prostate cancer, so it’s best to be safe and be proactive with your health by getting a PSA test. The caring urologists of Arizona Urology offer PSA tests to protect and evaluate your general health and wellness in several convenient locations in Goodyear, Glendale, and Gilbert, Arizona. For individualized care and beneficial testing methods, visit Arizona Urology, and schedule over the phone.

Elevated PSA Q & A

What is elevated PSA?

The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is a blood test that’s mainly used to screen for prostate cancer. The test measures how much PSA is present in your blood and checks for elevated levels.

PSA is a protein that’s produced by both non-cancerous and cancerous tissue in the prostate — a small gland that sits below the bladder in men.

Semen is also produced in the prostate, and PSA is primarily found in semen. Small amounts of PSA normally circulate in the blood, but high levels might indicate the presence of prostate cancer.

Elevated PSA might also be a sign of an inflamed or enlarged prostate, so your Arizona Urology provider typically uses an in-depth consultation and various methods of testing to achieve an accurate diagnosis and determine what’s causing your elevated PSA.

Why should I get a PSA test?

Your Arizona Urology provider can help you decide if you should get a PSA test. PSA tests are usually recommended since prostate cancer is fairly common and can pose serious risks and complications.

Your urologist might suggest a PSA test if you’ve already been diagnosed with prostate cancer to judge the effectiveness of treatment or check for recurring cancer.

Early detection can be an important tool in getting timely and appropriate treatment. The PSA test is an excellent way to develop a picture of your health, but it isn’t a definitive diagnostic test and should be used along with other testing methods to evaluate the health and condition of the prostate.

A digital rectal exam is another test that can be helpful. Your urologist inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to reach your prostate. Your urologist feels or presses on your prostate to identify any abnormal lumps or hard areas.

What happens if I have elevated PSA results from my PSA test?

If your PSA test results come back abnormal and elevated, your urologist might recommend a prostate biopsy to remove samples of tissue for laboratory examination. A cancer diagnosis is typically based on biopsy results.

A PSA test can help detect prostate cancer at an early stage when it’s more treatable. Prostate cancer typically progresses slowly over several years. But some prostate cancers can be aggressive.

Take charge of your health with innovative testing and quality care. Check your PSA levels, and call Arizona Urology.

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