Basic Health Profile — Men's

There are several reasons why PSA levels may be higher than normal:

• Age: As men get older, their PSA levels tend to rise.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): In some men, the prostate grows bigger and produces more PSA than usual due to its larger size
• Medications: Some medications, such as finasteride and some cholesterol-lowering medications can alter your PSA level. Be sure to tell your provider about any medications you are taking before your PSA test
• Prostate cancer: In a healthy prostate, PSA is secreted in small amounts into the bloodstream, but levels can increase as cancer develops
• Prostatitis: Prostatitis is a painful condition in which the prostate is inflamed, swollen, and tender. It is often caused by a bacterial infection, though sometimes the cause is unknown. In some cases, an elevated PSA level may increase because of irritation of the prostate
• Urinary tract infection: An infection in the urinary system can irritate the prostate and cause inflammation; this can cause the prostate to make more PSA

Any individual with a prostate gland is at risk of developing a prostate disorder. Symptoms include:

• Frequent urge to urinate
• Dribbling of urine
• Getting up many times during the night to urinate
• Blood in urine or semen
• Pain or burning during urination
• Painful ejaculation
• Frequent pain in the lower back, pelvic or rectal area
• Pain caused by touching the prostate
• Change in size, firmness, or texture of the prostate
• Lumps or hard areas spreading beyond the prostate

If you have any of these symptoms, you should consider consulting with a healthcare provider.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) encourages men to have a discussion with a healthcare provider about whether prostate cancer screening is appropriate for them.¹

Prostate cancer screening is not recommended by ACS for men who do not meet these criteria. The US Preventive Services Task Force² and Johns Hopkins Medicine³ recommend screening every 2 to 3 years. Speak with your primary care provider to better understand your own risk.

For those who choose to have prostate cancer screening, the ACS recommends the PSA blood test for individuals in the following risk categories:

• Men 50 years of age with an average risk of developing prostate cancer and no underlying health conditions that may reduce life expectancy
• Men 45 years of age with a high risk of developing prostate cancer, African American men, and those with an immediate family member who was diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65
• Men 40 years of age with a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, such as individuals who have multiple immediate family members with prostate cancer who were diagnosed at an early age