Get Screened

• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) —

  PSA test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to evaluate prostate function in men.

What's it used for?

This test is used to evaluate prostate function, particularly as a screening test for prostate cancer.

It is also used to help diagnose prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

For use as a prostate cancer screening test, both the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Urological Association (AUA) recommend that men consider potential benefits and risks of testing when making a decision.^2-3

ACS recommendations include:

• Begin PSA screening at age 50 for average-risk men.²
• Begin PSA screening at age 45 for high-risk men.² This includes men who are African-American, or who have a first-degree relative (dad, brother, or son) who had prostate cancer before age 65.²
• Begin PSA screening at age 40 for men with 2 or more first-degree relatives who had prostate cancer before age 65.²
• Repeat screening annually or every 2 years based on the PSA result.²

AUA recommendations include:

• Begin screening at age 55 and continue through age 69 for average-risk men.³
• Repeat screening every 2 years, or at different intervals based on PSA result.³
• Consider screening men age 40-54 if they are high risk, including African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.³
• Consider continuing to screen men age 70 or older when they are in excellent health (defined by the AUA as men expected to live another 10-15 years).³

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: May 12, 2020