Understanding PPE – Introduction

Understanding PPE – Introduction

Welcome to this PSA testing decision guide.

Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a blood test used by many doctors to screen for prostate cancer. If you had your PSA level checked, you may have been told that your results were “normal” or “abnormal.” However, some men would like to know more about what their PSA level means.

This tool provides more information about PSA levels and what is considered reassuring or concerning for men of different ages.

Remember that PSA is simply a screening tool - used alone, it cannot answer the question of whether or not you have prostate cancer. However, PSA levels are often helpful in deciding which men need further testing or evaluation. High PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, but they can also reflect benign (non-cancerous) growths of the prostate and prostate infections. Only a biopsy can tell whether or not you have prostate cancer or another cause for your elevated PSA test.

It is also important to note that PSA testing is considered controversial by many doctors. That's because PSA results can be misleading, but also because there is uncertainty about whether aggressive treatment for prostate cancer makes sense for many older men. Although this tool was designed for men who have had their PSA levels checked, keep in mind that PSA testing may not be useful for everyone. If you have any questions about PSA testing, be sure to consult your doctor.

To understand your PSA results, we will ask you a series of questions about yourself and your medical history. Before you begin, it may be helpful to have your most recent PSA result in front of you, as well as the results of previous PSA tests.

We start by finding out your age. This is because PSA levels tend to increase with age and the limit for “normal” PSA levels also increases.

How old were you when you last had a PSA test?

• Unter 50 Jahre alt
• Alter 50 bis 69
• Alter 70 bis 75
• Über 75 Jahre