Describe the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

In 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test that measures levels of molecules that are overproduced by prostate cancer cells. This enables physicians to identify prostate cancer and is recommended yearly for men older than 50, although Black men and those with a first-degree relative with prostate cancer are often advised to begin screening at 45 years old (American Cancer Society, 2011). The PSA test has been one of the most important advances in the area of prostate cancer (Madan & Gulley, 2010). Although not all tumors will show up on a PSA test, a high reading does indicate that something (such as a tumor) is releasing prostatic material into the blood, and a biopsy or further examination is warranted.