\u201cPSA can go up for a variety of benign reasons,\u201d Ristau said. \u201cEnlarged prostate, inflammation, urinary tract infections \u2014 all of these can cause temporary increases in PSA. That\u2019s why we usually repeat the test and look at other indicators before jumping to a biopsy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ristau recommends that men at average risk begin discussing PSA screening with their doctors around age 50. Those at higher risk, such as Black men or those with a family history, should begin discussions as early as age 40\u201345.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s also a conversation to be had about when to stop screening,\u201d said Ristau. \u201cFor men with a life expectancy under 10 years, continuing PSA testing may do more harm than good. It\u2019s about balancing benefits and risks.\u201d<\/p>\n
If PSA remains elevated, doctors may order an MRI of the prostate to look for suspicious areas and evaluate prostate size. If necessary, a targeted biopsy follows.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of prostate cancers are caught early because of PSA screening,\u201d said Ristau. \u201cIt\u2019s a simple blood test, but interpreting it isn\u2019t always simple. PSA can be elevated for many reasons that aren\u2019t cancer, such as inflammation or an enlarged prostate. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to follow up with diagnostic tests, like MRI and biopsy, if it remains high.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in American men. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. The good news is that most prostate cancers are slow-growing and highly treatable, especially when caught early.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of prostate cancers don\u2019t cause symptoms until they\u2019re advanced,\u201d explained Ristau, \u201cThat\u2019s why PSA screening is so important, it can detect cancer long before symptoms appear.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"risk](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/risk-factors-2-240x300.png\")
The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system, located just below the bladder. It produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate start to grow uncontrollably.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost men will develop some form of prostate cancer if they live long enough,\u201d Ristau said. \u201cBut not all prostate cancers are life-threatening. The key is knowing which ones need treatment and which can be safely watched.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Owens case, his PSA continued to rise. An MRI revealed an abnormal area, and a biopsy confirmed prostate cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, it was localized and caught before it spread. He was then referred to Ristau to discuss his options.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe came in with an elevated PSA, had an MRI that showed some abnormalities, and a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis,\u201d said Ristau. \u201cLike with all my patients, we had a heart-to-heart discussion about the best path forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
That conversation included all the options: active surveillance, radiation, hormone therapy, or surgery to remove the prostate.<\/p>\n
Not all prostate cancers need to be treated right away. Many are low-grade and slow growing.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor those cases, we recommend active surveillance,\u201d said Ristau. \u201cThat means regular PSA tests, MRIs, and occasional biopsies to monitor for changes. The goal is to avoid unnecessary treatment and its side effects while staying ahead of any progression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Research shows that many men on active surveillance never require treatment, and even those who eventually do often benefit from years of preserved quality of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was scary,\u201d Owens recalled. \u201cI had to learn fast, about the Gleason score a grading system used to assess how aggressive prostate cancer cells look under the microscope, about staging, about the options I had. I went home, did my homework, and got two more opinions,\u201d Vernon said. \u201cUltimately, after talking with my wife and weighing the risks, I decided surgery was right for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are several treatment paths, including radiation, hormone therapy, or active surveillance if the cancer is low risk,\u201d said Ristau. \u201cIn Vernon\u2019s case, surgery was the most appropriate next step.\u201d<\/p>\n
On October 2, 2023, Owens underwent a robotic prostatectomy performed by Ristau using the Da Vinci robotic system. The minimally invasive approach meant a quicker recovery and less pain.<\/p>\n
\u201cI expected it to be a lot more painful,\u201d Owens recalled. \u201cBut I was only in the hospital for one day. They told me I had to be able to walk and use the bathroom I did both right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
He credited his smooth recovery in part to years of martial arts training, which gave him strong core control and prepared him for the pelvic floor exercises recommended after prostate surgery to help manage incontinence.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the next day, I was walking laps around the hospital wing,\u201d he said. \u201cThe care I received was exceptional. Everyone was professional, responsive, and made my wife and me feel supported through the entire process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Follow-up PSA tests after surgery showed the best possible result: less than 0.01, indicating no evidence of cancer in the body.<\/p>\n
Now cancer-free, Owens is back to work and living his life. He continues regular follow-up visits with Ristau and has become a vocal advocate for men\u2019s health within his professional and personal circles.<\/p>\n
Screening matters, especially for those at higher risk. This includes men with a family history of prostate cancer, those with BRCA gene mutations, and Black men, who are more likely to develop aggressive forms of the disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cMen of color especially need to be aware,\u201d Owens said. \u201cWe sometimes wait too long to get checked. I want other men, especially Black men, to understand how important it is to stay on top of your health. Prostate cancer doesn\u2019t have to be a death sentence if you catch it early.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI tell my friends: don\u2019t wait. If you feel off, get checked. If you\u2019ve never had a PSA test, ask for one. And if prostate cancer runs in your family, start screening early, says Owens\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also grateful for the care he received at UConn Health.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Ristau and his team were phenomenal,\u201d he said. \u201cHe answered all my questions, even the hard ones. He made me feel confident and calm during one of the most uncertain times in my life. Thanks to him, I get to tell my story and hopefully help someone else catch it early too.\u201d<\/p>\n