PSA TOTAL (prostate) Test

Prostate cancer symptoms can vary and also be asymptomatic. You should take this test in case if:

• You are a man over 50 years old and are aware of the risks and benefits;
• Frequent or painful urination;
• Blood in semen or urine;
• Erectile dysfunction;
• You want to monitor an already diagnosed condition;
• You have a family history of prostate cancer;
• You are doing testosterone replacement and want to check your PSA levels. 

PSA

PSA total is used primarily to detect prostate cancer. The test will measure the amount of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in your blood that is produced by cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate. The total PSA will measure all the PSA, including both the bound and the free-floating antigens. PSA levels are determined through a blood test and an elevation may suggest the presence of prostate cancer. The test is not, however, prostate cancer specific. A high number of PSA in your blood can indicate a problem in the prostate. 

False Positives

The PSA TOTAL test can have some irregularities derived from external factors that may compromise the test result. Besides being elevated by prostate cancer, PSA levels can also be raised as a result of urinary tract infection, or even certain activities such as recent ejaculation and some forms of exercise. This type of situation can level up the PSA even if no cancer exists. The most efficient way to know if it is a true positive or false is by performing a prostate biopsy. 

False Negatives

The PSA total test can show a false negative result. This happens because the PSA levels in the beginning of the prostate cancer remain normal, the PSA Total test will not detect an issue in the prostate. 

The prostate cancer grows very slowly and sometimes patients doesn´t need a biopsy to detect the issue. That's where the PSA TOTAL test can be very useful.