Key Benefits

• Screen for prostate cancer risk using total PSA and percent free PSA.
• Spot early prostate changes; elevated PSA can reflect cancer, BPH, or inflammation.
• Clarify borderline PSA; lower percent free PSA suggests higher cancer risk, especially 4–10.
• Guide next steps; use age and risk to plan retest, MRI, or biopsy.
• Reduce unnecessary biopsies; higher percent free PSA supports watchful waiting when risk is low.
• Track trends; PSA velocity and doubling time refine risk and recurrence monitoring.
• Account for confounders; infection, ejaculation, cycling raise PSA; finasteride or dutasteride halve values.
• Monitor after treatment; PSA patterns help detect recurrence after surgery or radiation.

What are Prostate Cancer biomarkers?

Blood tests for prostate cancer look for molecular signals released by prostate cells and by the tumor itself. These biomarkers tell us how active the gland is, whether a suspicious growth is likely cancer, and how the disease is behaving over time. The best known is prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein normally made to liquefy semen; when the prostate enlarges or is disrupted by cancer, more PSA seeps into the bloodstream. PSA circulates in different forms, including unbound “free” PSA and PSA attached to carrier proteins (complexed PSA); the balance between these forms reflects how the tissue is organized. A cancer-leaning variant, [-2]proPSA (p2PSA), arises from malignant-prone glands. Related enzymes such as human kallikrein 2 (KLK2) come from the same prostate pathway and add context about tumor biology. In advanced disease, whole cancer cells and DNA fragments from the tumor can be found in blood (circulating tumor cells, CTCs; circulating tumor DNA, ctDNA), revealing the cancer’s genetic clues. Together, these blood biomarkers help prioritize biopsy, guide treatment, and track recurrence or response.

Why is blood testing for Prostate Cancer important?

Prostate cancer blood testing looks for proteins released from prostate cells into the bloodstream, chiefly PSA (prostate-specific antigen). Because PSA rises when the gland’s barrier is leaky—from inflammation, enlargement, or malignancy—it acts as a window into prostate cell turnover, tissue integrity, and how the urinary and reproductive systems are coping. At a whole-body level, persistently high PSA can signal risk for disease that may later affect urinary flow, sexual function, bones, and overall vitality.In general, PSA Total is interpreted with age in mind; typical thresholds place many adults below about 4, and optimal values tend to sit toward the lower end for one’s age. The Free PSA is the fraction not bound to proteins; a higher percentage (often above about 25%) leans toward benign causes, while a lower percentage (around 10–15% or less) leans toward cancer risk when Total PSA is in a borderline range. PSA is not cancer-specific—benign enlargement and prostatitis can raise it—so trends and context matter.When values are low, especially very low Total PSA, this usually reflects a smaller, quieter prostate with minimal leakage of enzymes into blood. It rarely causes symptoms and generally aligns with low short‑term prostate cancer risk. Testing is relevant only for people with a prostate; ranges naturally shift higher with age and are not applicable to women, children/teens, or pregnancy.Big picture, PSA integrates prostate biology with inflammation, androgen signaling, and epithelial barrier health. Followed over time and paired with clinical evaluation, it helps stratify risk, distinguishing benign changes from those more likely to progress and impact long‑term urinary function, bone health, and survival.

What insights will I get?

Prostate cancer blood testing provides insight into the health and stability of the prostate gland, a key organ in the male reproductive system. The prostate’s function is closely linked to hormonal balance, urinary health, and reproductive capacity. Changes in prostate health can also influence systemic inflammation and, in some cases, impact energy, metabolism, and overall well-being. At Superpower, we test two specific biomarkers: PSA Total and Free PSA.PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced by both normal and abnormal prostate cells. PSA Total measures the overall amount of this protein in the blood, while Free PSA measures the fraction of PSA that circulates unbound to other proteins. Elevated PSA Total can be a sign of increased prostate activity, which may occur with prostate cancer, but also with benign conditions like prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The ratio of Free PSA to Total PSA helps distinguish between benign and malignant causes of PSA elevation, as lower Free PSA percentages are more often associated with prostate cancer.Stable and healthy PSA levels suggest that the prostate is functioning normally, with minimal inflammation or abnormal cell growth. A balanced Free PSA to Total PSA ratio further supports the likelihood of benign prostate health, reflecting a lower risk of cancer-related changes.It’s important to note that PSA levels can be influenced by age, recent ejaculation, prostate manipulation (such as digital rectal exam), urinary tract infections, and certain medications. Assay methods and reference ranges may also vary between laboratories, so results should always be interpreted in context.