Prostate Health: What You Should Be Testing and When

Written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Elevate Health and Wellness, serving patients across the Gulf Coast in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

Why Prostate Health Matters

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men — excluding skin cancer — and the second leading cause of cancer death in men, according to the American Cancer Society. Approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. On the Gulf Coast, where screening rates are lower than national averages in some communities and risk factors including age and African American ancestry are prevalent, prostate health deserves serious clinical attention. The good news is that prostate cancer — when detected early — has a five-year survival rate approaching 100% for localized disease.

What Is PSA and What Does It Measure?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by both normal and abnormal prostate cells. It is measured in blood and serves as the primary screening tool for prostate cancer as well as a marker for other prostate conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. PSA is not a perfect test — it can be elevated by conditions other than cancer, and some prostate cancers produce little PSA — but it remains the most widely validated and clinically useful prostate screening tool available.

When to Start PSA Screening

Screening recommendations vary by organization and risk level. The American Cancer Society recommends that men discuss PSA screening with their provider beginning at age 50 for average-risk men, age 45 for men at higher risk including African American men and those with a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, and age 40 for men at even higher risk including those with more than one first-degree relative with early-onset prostate cancer. At Elevate, Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C has a personalized discussion with each male patient about when screening is appropriate based on their individual risk profile.

Interpreting PSA Results

A PSA below 4 ng/mL has traditionally been considered normal, though lower thresholds are now used for younger men and high-risk patients. More important than a single PSA value is the trend over time — PSA velocity (the rate of PSA rise) and PSA doubling time are more clinically significant than any single measurement. Men on testosterone replacement therapy require particularly careful PSA monitoring, as testosterone can affect prostate tissue. When PSA is elevated or rising, Kristy discusses next steps including repeat testing, referral to urology, and the role of additional tests such as free PSA ratio, 4K score, or prostate MRI in refining risk assessment.

Beyond PSA: Comprehensive Prostate Health at Elevate

Prostate health at Elevate is not limited to PSA monitoring. Kristy also addresses modifiable risk factors for prostate disease including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and chronic inflammation — all of which have been associated with increased prostate cancer risk in epidemiological research. Nutritional strategies including adequate selenium, vitamin E (from food sources), lycopene, and omega-3 fatty acids are discussed as part of a comprehensive prostate health plan.

Ready to discuss prostate health screening? Visit our Men's Health and Hormones page at Elevate in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

Sources: American Cancer Society. Prostate Cancer Facts. cancer.org. | American Urological Association. PSA Testing Guidelines. auanet.org.

This article is written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Elevate Health and Wellness. Information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized care.