PSA stands for 'prostrate specific antigen.' A man's prostrate generates a protein known as 'prostrate-specific antigen,' that is measurable in the blood. A disease like prostrate cancer happens when the prostrate produces a higher amount of this protein. The PSA diagnostic test, by virtue of measuring the 'prostate-specific antigen' levels in the blood-stream can help the doctors find prostrate cancer in their premature stages.
It is not exactly a good idea to have the PSA diagnostic test done for men, especially after they cross 50. This is because many incidences of prostrate cancers that are found by the PSA test remain inside the prostrate gland only and do not cause any untoward medical problems. If the cancer is discovered, a person may naturally become anxious. If he chooses to go for the treatment, he may have to risk side effects like loss of sexual function or embarrassing problems with urine flow, just to treat a cancer that would have never spread or become dangerous in the first place. In the same vein, detecting cancer through the PSA test can be life-saving. If you are puzzled, so are the doctors. In fact, they are working hard to find out a technique that will distinguish between the cancer that can spread and threaten life, and those which don't.
It is not exactly a good idea to have the PSA diagnostic test done for men, especially after they cross 50. This is because many incidences of prostrate cancers that are found by the PSA test remain inside the prostrate gland only and do not cause any untoward medical problems. If the cancer is discovered, a person may naturally become anxious. If he chooses to go for the treatment, he may have to risk side effects like loss of sexual function or embarrassing problems with urine flow, just to treat a cancer that would have never spread or become dangerous in the first place. In the same vein, detecting cancer through the PSA test can be life-saving. If you are puzzled, so are the doctors. In fact, they are working hard to find out a technique that will distinguish between the cancer that can spread and threaten life, and those which don't.