What does PSA stand for and why does my doctor want to test mine?
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Medical Oncology
PSA is short for prostate specific antigen which is determined with a blood test that can detect a protein associated with prostate cancer or other issues of the prostate. There are other causes for an elevated PSA besides prostate cancer which include: riding a bike, horseback riding, intercourse, enlarged prostate from benign tissue (BPH), infection in the prostate or can be elevated after vigorous rectal exam.
Your doctor uses the PSA test to determine if you are at risk for having prostate cancer and based on the results determine if further diagnostic tests are warranted.