A raised level of PSA in a man’s blood is not always a sign of prostate cancer. Over 65% of men with a raised PSA level don’t have prostate cancer and PSA levels tend to rise in all men as they get older.
Also, up to 20% of men with prostate cancer don't have a raised PSA level.
What is PSA?
PSA is a protein made by a man’s prostate gland. It’s found naturally in small amounts in men’s blood.
What is a PSA test?
A PSA test measures the amount of PSA in a man’s blood. A raised level of PSA can be a sign of prostate conditions such as:
- enlargement of the prostate, or
- prostate cancer.
Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)
Your GP is unlikely to recommend a PSA test unless you have symptoms that suggest your prostate is enlarged. For example:
- you need to pass urine urgently or very frequently, or
- you find it difficult to start and stop passing urine.
If you do have symptoms, it’s important to get your GP’s advice so they can investigate the cause. For more information, see Diagnosing prostate enlargement.
Prostate enlargement is a common condition associated with getting older. It’s estimated that 60% of men aged 60 or over have prostate enlargement.
Many men are concerned that an enlarged prostate means that they’re at increased risk of prostate cancer. However, this is not the case. Men with prostate enlargement have no increased risk compared to men who don’t have an enlarged prostate.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is common in older men. Unlike many cancers, you can have prostate cancer for many years without any symptoms. This is because most prostate cancers grow very slowly and don't spread to other parts of the body. Therefore it may never need treatment. By the age of 80, half of all men will have some cancer cells in their prostate but only one in 30 will die from it.
For more information, see Diagnosing prostate cancer.
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