Articles

Prostate cancer screening: Should you get a PSA test?

Simple test, not-so-simple decision When elevated PSA isn't cancer When prostate cancer doesn't increase PSA Digital rectal examination Think about your risk factors for prostate cancer Consider the varying viewpoints: What are the recommendations? How does it add up? Content What is PSA? What increases the risk of prostate cancer? What are the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening? What's the advantage of a PSA test? What's risky about a PSA test? What do experts recommend?

Simple test, not-so-simple decision

There are a number of pros and cons to the PSA test.

Pros of PSA screening Cons of PSA screening
PSA screening may help you detect prostate cancer early. Some prostate cancers are slow growing and never spread beyond the prostate gland.
Cancer is easier to treat and is more likely to be cured if it's diagnosed in the early stages of the disease. Not all prostate cancers need treatment. Treatment for prostate cancer may have risks and side effects, including urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction or bowel dysfunction.
PSA testing can be done with a simple, widely available blood test. PSA tests aren't foolproof. It's possible for your PSA levels to be elevated when cancer isn't present, and to not be elevated when cancer is present.
For some men, knowing is better than not knowing. Having the test can provide you with a certain amount of reassurance — either that you probably don't have prostate cancer or that you do have it and can now have it treated. A diagnosis of prostate cancer can provoke anxiety and confusion. Concern that the cancer may not be life-threatening can make decision-making complicated.
The number of deaths from prostate cancer has gone down since PSA testing became available. PSA testing has lowered deaths, but the number may not be substantial enough to justify the cost and possibility of harm to the person undergoing the testing.

Related Services