Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Test

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Recent sexual activity (ejaculation) or a cystoscopy.
• Recent use of a tube (catheter) to drain urine.
• Recent urinary tract infection (UTI) or prostatitis.
• Large doses of medicines, such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar), diethylstilbestrol, and methotrexate for cancer treatment.
• The medicine finasteride, such as Proscar or Avodart, which is used to prevent further enlargement of the prostate gland in men with BPH.

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Author:	Bets Davis, MFA	Last Updated: April 13, 2009
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
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