Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Is A PSA Test Usually Recommended?
Posted on
Tue, 29 Dec 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 29 Dec 2015
Answered on
Sat, 16 Jan 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I just had my fist DRE (prostrate) exam yesterday and all was fine. the Dr also suggested that sometime later in the year it would be good to do a PSA test to get a baseline figure. My questions is with the PSA test - Why do some urologists routinely just do a PSA test and some don't?
It is my understanding that normally you are around the age of 50 when you can do this. I also saw another Dr a year ago who even without examining me wanted to do a PSA test (with urine test etc) just as routine.
Why do some Dr do this and other don't?
It is my understanding that normally you are around the age of 50 when you can do this. I also saw another Dr a year ago who even without examining me wanted to do a PSA test (with urine test etc) just as routine.
Why do some Dr do this and other don't?
Brief Answer:
PSA testing contraversial
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You are wondering why PSA is not universally ordered by urologists. The reason is that for years PSA was done routinely but when the numbers were reviewed the researchers discovered that there were huge number of false positive tests and from those false positive tests biopsies were done that caused harm. So the committee who makes decisions about screening tests decided it was not a good idea to screen everyone. With so many tests and biopsies done that did not find cancer but actually caused impotence and other complications following biopsy that they decided against screening.
The recommendation is for you and your provider to discuss the need for a PSA. If you have a high history of prostate cancer in your family then it is a good idea to do a DRE and a PSA. If there is no history of prostate cancer then there is less likelihood for prostate cancer and higher probability of a false positive elevated PSA.
In your case you are not even at the age where screening is recommended. DRE and PSA is not recommended until you are 50 years old. So I would question even why doing your PSA or the DRE is even done since you are only 45 years old.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any further questions
PSA testing contraversial
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
You are wondering why PSA is not universally ordered by urologists. The reason is that for years PSA was done routinely but when the numbers were reviewed the researchers discovered that there were huge number of false positive tests and from those false positive tests biopsies were done that caused harm. So the committee who makes decisions about screening tests decided it was not a good idea to screen everyone. With so many tests and biopsies done that did not find cancer but actually caused impotence and other complications following biopsy that they decided against screening.
The recommendation is for you and your provider to discuss the need for a PSA. If you have a high history of prostate cancer in your family then it is a good idea to do a DRE and a PSA. If there is no history of prostate cancer then there is less likelihood for prostate cancer and higher probability of a false positive elevated PSA.
In your case you are not even at the age where screening is recommended. DRE and PSA is not recommended until you are 50 years old. So I would question even why doing your PSA or the DRE is even done since you are only 45 years old.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any further questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I think he is just a old school dr. I have been to 2 other urolologists in NY who have also wanted to perform the test just for routine blood work with other tests like testistrone and kidney etc. Isnt a DRE used as part of a routine check up?
Brief Answer:
DRE is done routine but of really limited value
Detailed Answer:
The DRE is something that has been done for years but really has limited value. The main reason for doing a DRE is to get a stool sample for blood. Otherwise as a screening tool DRE will not screen for colon cancer or prostate cancer. The latest thinking is that DRE has little or no value.
The rest of the screening for kidney is good but Testosterone screening in the general population is not recommended. If you have symptoms of low testosterone, fatigue, low sex drive or impotence then screening would be appropriate.
I hope that helps you understand better your options for screening tests
DRE is done routine but of really limited value
Detailed Answer:
The DRE is something that has been done for years but really has limited value. The main reason for doing a DRE is to get a stool sample for blood. Otherwise as a screening tool DRE will not screen for colon cancer or prostate cancer. The latest thinking is that DRE has little or no value.
The rest of the screening for kidney is good but Testosterone screening in the general population is not recommended. If you have symptoms of low testosterone, fatigue, low sex drive or impotence then screening would be appropriate.
I hope that helps you understand better your options for screening tests
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
