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PSA Screening Specialist

Urologists located in Pasadena, CA

PSA Screening services offered in Pasadena, CA

If you’re at risk of prostate cancer, it’s vital to get early detection and proper treatment. At Pasadena Urological Medical Group in Pasadena, California, the experienced urology physicians offer prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing to detect or rule out prostate problems. Call the office to learn more or schedule an appointment online today.

PSA Screening Q&A

What is PSA screening?

PSA screening, also called prostate-specific antigen screening, is a blood test that measures a specific antigen. Men who have prostate cancer or other prostate problems often have higher levels of PSA in their blood, making this test valuable as a prostate cancer screening tool. 

Medical procedures, some medicines, an enlarged prostate gland, and prostate infections can also affect PSA levels.

Is PSA screening right for me?

Your Pasadena Urological Medical Group provider may recommend PSA screening if you’re at risk of prostate issues or you have symptoms of prostate cancer. Examples of prostate cancer symptoms include:

  • Bone pain
  • Blood in semen
  • Blood in urine
  • Problems urinating
  • Decreased urine stream force
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Urinary incontinence 
  • Urinary changes

To determine your risk factors and the status of your overall health, your Pasadena Urological Medical Group provider discusses your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits. 

They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and may recommend a PSA screening or other diagnostic tests.

In addition to PSA screening, Pasadena Urological Medical Group provides prostate biopsies in the office and 3D MRI-fusion biopsies performed in a surgery center. 

The practice minimizes the need for biopsies by correcting PSA for common inflammatory conditions associated with false positives. This reduces the need for biopsies by 50%.

What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

You may be a candidate for PSA screening if you’re at risk of prostate cancer. Common risk factors include:

  • Being over 50
  • Family history of prostate cancer
  • Carrying excess body weight
  • Poor dietary habits
  • Lack of exercise

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits and maintaining an ideal weight are ways to keep your risk of prostate cancer and other cancers as low as possible. 

What should I expect during PSA screening?

During PSA screening, your provider takes a blood sample from one of your veins and analyzes it for PSA, a substance your prostate produces. The procedure is fast and virtually painless, though you may feel a slight pinch during the blood draw when the needle punctures soft tissues.

What happens after PSA screening?

After PSA screening, the Pasadena Urological Medical Group team discusses the results with you. If you have an enlarged prostate gland, prostate cancer, or other prostate problems, they review treatment options to find one that fits your needs.

To learn more about PSA screening at Pasadena Urological Medical Group and find out if it’s right for you, call the office or book an appointment online today.