Thanks
Urologist
PSA is a normal, harmless substance that can be used as a guide to the chances of significant prostate cancer being present. It can also be raised in other conditions such as urinary tract infection.
In general, a screening PSA test over 3 may warrant further evaluation by a urologist (over 2 for men in their 40's). The PSA level is not used in isolation. Other factors generally considered include prostate size, prostate consistency, family history, change in PSA over time, and perhaps further assays such as free-PSA ratio.
PSA levels can also predict the long term chances of significant prostate cancer ever developing. If there are no other risk factors, patients with a PSA less than 1 may only need a PSA test once every few years.
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