PSA Test | PSA Test Cost | Prostate Antigen Test

Prostate-Specific Antigen: PSA Test and PSA Levels Overview

You might be surprised to know that prostate cancer is one of the top 10 most common cancers in India. Earlier, only folks in the 60s or 70s used to suffer from prostate cancer, but apparently, it’s no longer the case. Of late, even the younger generation between the 35-44 age group show signs of prostate cancer, mostly due to the drastic change in lifestyle and various other factors.

This alarming increase makes it vital for everyone to understand prostate cancer, the importance of the PSA test, and various other aspects.

So, if you’re interested in learning about it all, scroll down till the end of this guide and get the answers to all your queries.

What is PSA and PSA Test? – An Insight into Their Meaning

Before we dive into the significance of the PSA test, let’s first understand the literal meaning of the term – prostate-specific-antigen. According to experts, prostate-specific-antigen is a special protein that the cancerous & non-cancerous tissues present in the prostate (a small gland present below the male bladder) produce. Therefore, you can find PSA mostly in the semen, with small amounts in your bloodstream.

As the name indicates, the Prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood test that measures the level of PSA in your blood. In most cases, the higher value of PSA is usually an indicator that you have prostate cancer (also called prostatic carcinoma). Still, there have been instances when the reverse came true.

Who Can Undertake a PSA Test?

If your PSA level is higher than the standard level, i.e., below four nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), it doesn’t necessarily mean that you must undergo a PSA test. Some other factors that can elevate your PSA level include the following:

Enlarged prostate gland (a medical condition often called – benign prostate enlargement)
An inflammation or infection in the prostate (also called prostatitis)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Recent indulgence in sexual intercourse

And many more.

According to experts, prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) test isn’t meant for you unless:

You have a family history of suffering from prostate cancer
You’re overweight or obese
You’re between the age group of 50 to 74

Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer: A Quick Overview

As every individual is different, so are their symptoms of prostate cancer. In the earlier stages, you may not see any visible signs, but if you suffer from an advanced level of prostate cancer, you might experience the following symptoms:

Facing unnecessary trouble in starting urination
Frequently going to the washroom to pee, especially during night hours
An interrupted flow of urine
Noticing blood in the urine
Burning sensation or pain during urination
Unable to empty your bladder completely
Signs of erectile dysfunction or painful ejaculation
Unable to sit properly due to enlarged prostate

According to experts, if your cancer spreads outside of the prostate gland, you may experience the following symptoms:

Constant pain in bones, especially the hips, back, and the pelvic region
A sudden drop in your body weight, without trying
Fatigue
Swelling or fluid buildup in your legs or feet
An abrupt change in the bowel habits

If you’re noticing any or most of these symptoms in yourself or your loved ones, consult an experienced medical practitioner today for instant medical care and learn how to minimize the aftereffects.

Factors That Affect Your PSA Levels: A Detailed Overview

As mentioned before, a higher PSA level doesn’t always indicate signs of prostate cancer. A wide array of other medical conditions can be held accountable for the abrupt increase of PSA levels in your bloodstream. Let’s check out each of these conditions in detail in this segment:

Age

According to experienced medical practitioners, PSA levels are higher in folks above the age group of 50 compared to the younger generation. Your ethnicity, too, plays a role in identifying the possible PSA levels. Urologists often adjust the PSA level based on your age.

For example, if you’re between the 35-45 age group, a PSA level of 4 is considered elevated; however, if you’re a senior citizen, a PSA level of 4 is considered normal.

If you’ve undertaken the PSA test, post evaluating your test results, your doctor may also take into consideration other factors like your age, ethnicity, etc., and suggest if you need more testing or not.

Enlarged Size of Prostate Gland (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

If you’re frequently urinating at night or facing challenges in starting to urinate, chances are that you suffer from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). It’s a medical condition wherein your prostate gland gets enlarged, elevating your PSA levels automatically. Aging and hormonal factors are common triggering points for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

BPH is common in older folks, and doctors often detect it using a digital rectal exam (DRE) and consider it while looking at your PSA test results.

Prostatitis

A painful medical condition wherein the prostate gland and its surrounding area experience inflammation. It is the most common urinary tract problem in folks below 50 years of age, triggered mostly by bacterial infection.

If you show any signs of prostatitis like fever, difficulty, pain during urination, unexpected pressure in your rectum, etc., your PSA level will automatically come on the higher side.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Any signs of infection in your urinary tract can make the prostate gland produce more amounts of PSA. In addition, in some cases, if you undertake a medical procedure involving your urethra/bladder, it can unnecessarily irritate your prostate, which may create more PSA, thus increasing your PSA level.

Excessive Exertion & Physical Workout

If you’re a fitness enthusiast and indulge in heavy physical workouts constantly, it can stimulate your prostate gland, releasing more PSA. According to medical professionals, performing vigorous exercises (like cycling) and performing the digital rectal exam (DRE) can also elevate your PSA levels. In cases where you’re undertaking both the DRE and PSA test simultaneously, doctors recommend taking the blood for PSA first to be safer.

What is the Normal PSA Level: A Sneak Peek

Usually, the standard PSA level is between 3-4 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL). The higher your PSA level gets, the more your chances of suffering from prostate cancer. Here’s a quick overview of the different values of prostate-specific-antigen protein and its correlation with cancer:

PSA Level less than four ng/mL: Your chances of having prostate cancer are almost negligible if your PSA level is below four ng/mL. Plus, you require no additional testing unless you’re on certain medication or suffer from a medical condition like Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). However, it would help if you still exercised caution at all times.
PSA Level between 3-10 ng/mL: You have a moderate risk (~ 25% chance) of suffering from prostate cancer. However, if your PSA levels are constantly rising, doctors might recommend you undertake additional tests like a urine test to rule out chances of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
PSA Level above 10ng/mL: The likelihood of you having prostate cancer is higher than 50%.

As stated earlier, an elevated PSA level need not indicate prostate cancer, as various other circumstances, like age, can affect your PSA level. The bifurcation of PSA levels based on age factor is as follows:

Age between 40 – 49: 0-2.5 ng/mL is the normal PSA level for this age group
Age between 50 – 59: Normal PSA level falls between 0-3.5 ng/mL
60 – 69 Age group: 0-4.5 ng/mL is the standard level of PSA protein if your age falls between the 60 – 69 group
Age above 70: If you’re above 70, your PSA level should be between 0-6.5 ng/mL

Though there have been cases wherein folks with normal PSA levels showed signs of prostate cancer, those with above-average PSA levels didn’t show such signs. However, undertaking the PSA test at regular intervals is still a good practice to avoid repercussions later.

What Does a High PSA Level Mean?

Doctors never recommend performing a PSA test at home as it might give you a false-positive result and create anxiety. Instead, according to them, you must always get your PSA test done under the supervision of an experienced medical professional.

In some cases, if the doctors find higher prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) protein levels in your bloodstream, they might suggest another test. Still, if your blood shows an elevated PSA level, they might recommend you undertake both the PSA test and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) simultaneously over regular intervals.

Suppose any lump gets detected during DRE or your PSA level continues to rise; in that case, you might have to undertake additional tests like a prostate biopsy, imaging tests like MRI, or an ultrasound to define and identify the nature of the underlying problem accurately.

Can Frequent PSA Screenings Lead to High Costs?

In general, the average PSA test cost is quite nominal, especially if you’re undertaking it from a reliable medical center. However, if you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer, reports indicate that your regular PSA test price is cost-effective when you limit your screening to two to three times between 55 – 59 years old. However, if you’re above 63 years, your screening becomes less cost-effective due to overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

If your PSA level keeps elevating and you require additional testing like a biopsy or imaging tests, your prostate-specific-antigen test cost will automatically increase as your overall expense will include– a biopsy and ultrasound test fee, doctor’s consultation fee, and more. The PSA test price has been reasonable while retaining a high level of accuracy. Our test can give you the most accurate findings possible while also keeping the cost low.

Why Trust HealthcareOnTime for PSA Testing?

If you’re planning to undertake Prostate-specific-antigen testing, you must get it done from a trusted medical provider like HealthcareOnTime. Apart from providing a free home sample collection facility, their serum PSA test cost in India is far lower than other partners across the country.

Despite offering you testing facilities at affordable pricing, they never compromise on providing you with quality laboratory services and effective medical care. So, book your PSA test today and safeguard yourself from the possible aftereffects of prostate cancer.