Serine protease is an enzyme that is produced in the prostate. The levels of this enzyme, which is commonly known as prostate specific antigen and abbreviated to PSA, can be used to gauge the likelihood that the patient has developed prostate cancer. The PSA test is generally taken in parallel with the digital rectal examination to ensure more accurate diagnosis.
Men normally have a low level of PSA in the blood stream; levels of PSA can become elevated if prostate function is disrupted. Elevated PSA levels alone are not necessary an indicator of cancer, as infections of the prostate and benign growths may also lead to leakage of PSA into the bloodstream. Other factors that increase the prostate specific antigen levels in a test include recent ejaculation and bike riding. In fact it has been recorded many times that patients with a high PSA score do not have cancerous growth of the prostate. The levels of PSA are also very dependent upon age and the size of the prostate, generally older people and larger prostates result in a naturally higher level of PSA’s. Conversely many drugs, such as those given to combat benign prostate hyperplasia can lead to a lowering of PSA levels and hence mask detection of cancerous growth.
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