During the test
To measure PSA, a blood sample needs to be obtained. This will take several minutes.
Blood is collected by a health care professional in a clinic or hospital. A nurse ties a wide elastic band around your upper arm to help locate the vein. The nurse will use alcohol to disinfect the area and then insert a needle into the skin. You might feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted. After the blood is collected, the needle is removed and the blood samples are sent to the laboratory. A cotton ball can be used to stop any mild bleeding, and the nurse may place a bandage over the needle site.
In general, the test causes only a small degree of pain.
After the test
The test generally causes minimal discomfort, but it is normal to feel these side effects after this test:
- tenderness or bruising at the injection site
- throbbing in your arm
The laboratory will generate a report and send it to your doctor. Ask your doctor when you can expect the results to be available.
Keep in mind that a high PSA level does not always mean you have prostate cancer. If you have an elevated PSA level, your doctor may want you to undergo additional tests to determine the underlying cause.