What Should You Ask About Your PSA Results?

Ask what your number is and how it compares to previous years, what besides cancer could explain it, what the next step would be before a biopsy, and whether screening is appropriate for you given your age and history. A PSA result is a starting point for a conversation, not a conclusion.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and at Burzynski Clinic in Houston, Texas, our team reviews complex and second-opinion cases.

What PSA Measures, and What It Does Not

Prostate specific antigen is a protein produced by prostate tissue, both healthy and abnormal. The test measures how much is circulating in the blood.

Because healthy tissue produces it too, the test is not specific to cancer. It indicates activity in the prostate without identifying the cause.

That single fact explains most of the confusion patients experience after an elevated result.

What Else Raises PSA

Several ordinary things elevate PSA, and knowing them helps put a result in context.

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia, meaning an enlarged prostate, which is very common with age
• Prostatitis or urinary tract infection
• Recent ejaculation or vigorous cycling
• Recent urological procedures
• Age itself, since PSA tends to rise gradually over time

This is why a single elevated reading usually leads to repeat testing rather than immediate escalation.

Why the Trend Beats the Single Number

One PSA value in isolation carries limited meaning. Several values over time carry considerably more.

A number that has been stable for years reads very differently from the same number reached after a rapid rise. Rate of change is often more informative than the value itself.

This is a practical argument for keeping your own record of results rather than relying on any single office to hold the history.

The Screening Decision Is Genuinely Individual

Prostate cancer screening involves real tradeoffs, which is why guidelines emphasize shared decision-making rather than universal recommendations.

Some prostate cancers grow slowly enough that they would never have caused harm, and detecting them can lead to treatment with its own consequences. Others are aggressive and benefit from early detection.

The right answer differs by age, family history, ancestry, overall health, and personal preference. Men with a father or brother affected, and men of African ancestry, generally begin the conversation earlier.

If Your Result Is Elevated

An elevated PSA means more information is needed, not that cancer is present.

Next steps commonly include a repeat test after an interval, a digital rectal examination, additional blood markers, or MRI imaging before any biopsy is considered.

Asking what the plan is before agreeing to a biopsy is a reasonable question, and a good clinician will explain the reasoning rather than treating the step as automatic.

"An elevated number produces more anxiety than it should, largely because nobody explains what else it could mean. Ten minutes of explanation prevents months of unnecessary worry," says Stanislaw R. Burzynski, MD, PhD, Founder of Burzynski Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a high PSA mean I have prostate cancer?

No. PSA rises for several reasons including an enlarged prostate, inflammation, infection, and age. An elevated result indicates that further evaluation is warranted rather than establishing a diagnosis.

At what age should men start PSA screening?

Most guidance suggests beginning the discussion somewhere in the forties to fifties, earlier with family history or other risk factors. Because screening involves tradeoffs, the starting age is best decided with a physician who knows your situation.

Can I lower my PSA before a test?

Avoiding ejaculation and vigorous cycling for a day or two beforehand is commonly advised, since both can temporarily raise levels. Beyond that, the goal is an accurate reading rather than a low one.

Bring the Questions With You

You are entitled to understand your own results. To explore care at Burzynski Clinic in Houston, Texas, start the prospective patient process or call 1-713-335-5697.