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PSA - Risks

Alternative Names

Prostate-specific antigen; Prostate cancer screening test

What the risks are:

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Special considerations:

Discuss the benefits and risks of testing with your doctor to determine whether screening is right for you.

Potential benefits include early diagnosis of cancer
Potential risks include increased health care costs, unnecessary invasive testing (biopsy) and treatment

The American Urologic Association, American Cancer Society, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend that:

All men ages 50 - 75 have annual PSA tests
You get tested at an earlier age (age 40 or 45) if you are of African-American heritage or have a father or brother with prostate cancer

However, these guidelines are not recommended for everyone. Many health organizations, including the US Preventive Services Task Force, do not recommend routine PSA testing.

Blood test

Reviewed last on: 9/7/2008
Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Lin K, Lipsitz R, Miller T, Janakiraman S. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Benefits and harms of prostate-specific antigen screening for prostate cancer: an evidence update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:192-199.

Lim LS, Sherin K; ACPM Prevention Practice Committee. Screening for prostate cancer in U.S. men ACPM position statement on preventive practice. Am J Prev Med. 2008;34:164-170.

Walsh PC, DeWeese TL, Eisenberger MA. Clinical practice. Localized prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:2696-2705.

Walter LC, Bertenthal D, Lindquist K, Konety BR. PSA screening among elderly men with limited life expectancies. JAMA. 2006;296:2336-2342.

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