QUESTION: When should you take a PSA test?

Taking a PSA test, which stands for prostate-specific antigen, is an important tool for monitoring the condition of the prostate gland and early detection of possible pathologies. This protein marker is synthesized by prostate cells, and its level in the blood can rise with various diseases, including inflammatory processes, benign hyperplasia, and malignant neoplasms.

Standard recommendations suggest discussing the feasibility of screening with an attending physician upon reaching the age of fifty. During this period, the risk of age-related changes in the prostate gland increases, and regular diagnostics make it possible to notice deviations in time.

However, there are situations when the examination needs to be started much earlier, for example, at the age of forty or forty-five. Early screening is indicated for men with a burdened family history if close relatives have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

It is important to consider that this test is not one hundred percent specific only for oncological processes. False-positive results are possible, in which the antigen level rises due to recent medical manipulations, urinary tract infections, or physical exertion.

The decision to undergo screening should always be individual. The doctor weighs all potential risks and benefits taking into account the patient's age, general health status, and personal preferences.