What is the PSA test, and should I have it for prostate cancer screening?
The prostate-specific antigen test measures a protein made by the prostate. It may be used for screening or monitoring known disease, but does not diagnose cancer by itself. Screening should consider age, risk, potential benefits and harms, and personal preferences.
Details
Why discuss the decision?
Screening may detect some cancers earlier, but can lead to further tests, biopsies or detection of slow-growing cancers that would not have caused harm during a person’s lifetime. More testing therefore does not guarantee benefit for everyone.
Is there one agreed starting age?
Guidelines differ. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends individual discussion for ages 55 to 69 and advises against routine screening from 70. This is a US recommendation, not a mandatory Jordanian schedule. Family history and individual risk may influence advice.
If you have symptoms
Discuss urinary or other symptoms with a clinician rather than treating them as a routine screening visit. PSA monitoring after a cancer diagnosis has a different purpose from screening a well person.
Related reading: Does a high PSA result mean I have prostate cancer?.