The prostate psa test is a blood test that is done to determine the levels of the PSA or the protein specific antigen that is available in the blood. The levels of specific antigen present in the blood tell us whether the prostate is in active proper condition or whether there is a problem with the prostate. When the levels of the protein specific antigen in the blood is lower than 4 nanograms per millimeter it is considered to be normal. Levels that are between 4 nanograms per millimeter to 20 nanograms per millimeter, the condition is considered to be borderline and a higher frequency of monitoring is required. This is a test that is required to be done annually at least after the age of fifty. Even before that if there are some symptoms that are observed this prostate psa test should be done to remove any doubts about the condition. Though this is a test that is done to decipher the condition of the prostate, high levels immediately do not indicate cancer. The fact is that there are other conditions that cause high PSA levels.

PSA prostate cancer is not confirmed if the levels of PSA are higher. The high levels are also possible when there is an inflammation of the prostate called prostatitis or a condition that is called the benign prostate hypertrophy (or BPH). Therefore the results of the test should be considered to be only a screening test so as to decide whether further tests are required to diagnose the problem. After the PSA test is done there are other tests like the digital rectal examination that is done along with a biopsy that is quite a definitive test to indicate whether there is a cancerous condition or not. It is only after a biopsy is done that a cancerous prostate condition can be confirmed.

A digital rectal examination and prostate psa exam are done before a biopsy since the thought of a biopsy gets patients excited and worried about the whole condition. Therefore in many cases the doctors try and do the earlier screening tests to understand the condition before a biopsy is recommended.

On the other hand a biopsy is necessary because the prostate psa level can be higher even if there is no prostate cancer. The high levels can be caused due to inflammation or a benign condition too. Therefore there is no need to get hyperactive when high PSA levels are discovered.

The prostate psa test however is the best screening option since it gives an indication of a healthy prostate versus one that is not quite fine. It is therefore that the prostate psa test is extremely popular among doctors for prostate diagnosis that needs to be done in the beginning.