It just means we need more information. Here’s what might be causing it, what tests come next, and the names and numbers of the team that will walk with you the whole way.
A high PSA just means your number was higher than we’d expect for your age. Lots of things can raise PSA — not just cancer. An enlarged prostate. An infection. Even a recent bike ride. The next step is to figure out which one.
A few different things can push your PSA up. Some are easy to treat. Some need a closer look. Some need more testing to rule out cancer. Your workup is set up to tell them apart.
Not every man needs every test. Your doctor will explain what fits your case, why each test is being done, and what the results would mean. You’ll be part of every decision.
PSA goes up and down on its own. A repeat test — a few weeks later, with no recent sex, bike riding, or prostate exam — tells us if the high number was real or just a one-time bump. A lot of the time, this one step is all that’s needed.
A simple urine test rules out an infection that could be pushing your PSA up. If anything looks off, the same sample is sent for more testing right away — no extra trip needed.
A newer blood test that looks at different forms of PSA, not just the total. It helps tell the difference between harmless causes and a cancer worth treating — and helps cut down on men who get a biopsy they don’t actually need.
An MRI is a scan that takes detailed pictures of your prostate. No needles, no surgery. It shows any spots that look concerning, and helps your doctor decide if you need a biopsy — and if so, exactly where to look.
If you need a biopsy, today’s methods combine two kinds. Targeted samples from the spots the MRI flagged. Systematic samples from across the rest of the prostate. Together they give a much more accurate picture than older biopsies.
Not every man with a high PSA needs a biopsy. The tests above — the repeat PSA, IsoPSA, and MRI — help us find the men who do, and spare the men who don’t.
You won’t do this alone. From the moment your result comes back to the moment your workup is done, the HEALCARE team is your one number to call — one coordinator, one steady point of contact.
A real person calls you with your result, explains what it means in plain language, and helps you decide what to do next.
Our coordinator sets up your visits at the Georgia Cancer Center or Wellstar Urology. No long phone trees. No chasing referrals.
Every test, every result, every step gets explained in regular words. Bring your wife, your son, a friend — family is welcome at every visit.
If insurance, a ride, time off work, or anything else is in the way, tell us. We have partners who can help.
Save these numbers. If you don’t know who to call, start with the study coordinator — she’ll send you to the right place.
Call Brittany at (706) 550-7497. She’s your one person to talk to through the whole workup — from the day your PSA result comes in, to the day your evaluation is done.
A plain explanation of what the prostate is, what PSA measures, and why catching things early matters.
Food as medicine, the food swamp problem, and the HEALCARE nutrition program built on Southern soul food.