Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Free

PSA (Prostate specific Antigen) is a cancer marker of prostate in males. PSA is a protein that is produced by both cancerous & non-cancerous cells in prostate gland. Along with digital rectal examination, PSA is used to screen patients for prostate cancer. PSA circulates in the blood in 2 forms namely Total PSA which is bound to proteins and Free PSA which is unattached. If Total PSA is high but Free PSA is low, you are more likely to have prostate cancer. Few benign conditions can also show high PSA levels such as prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, intake of male hormone like testosterone & certain urologic procedures. This test measures only Free PSA levels.