
Does a High PSA Always Mean Cancer?
Q: I’m confused about the PSA screening. There’s been a lot of conflicting information in the news recently. Should I be getting a routine testing? And if my PSA levels are high, does it mean I have prostate cancer?
Pete K.
Dr. G: Listening to advice about whether or not to get a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a lot like watching a game of tennis. It keeps going back and forth.
Get it.
Don’t get it.
Get it.
Don’t get it.
When the “experts” keep changing their minds, it’s no wonder you (and most other men) would be confused.
For years, the PSA test was the end-all, be-all of prostate testing. Doctors pushed the test on their patients, and the patients dutifully listened.
Then a few years ago, this golden child of cancer screening fell out of favor.
It turned out that high PSA levels don’t necessarily indicate that a man has prostate cancer. And having normal levels doesn’t mean you DON’T have cancer!
The fact is, there are numerous factors that could cause PSA levels to be high that have nothing to do with prostate cancer. These include:
- Prostatitis, a condition caused by an inflamed prostate
- BPH, which is an enlarged prostate
- Certain medical procedures, like having a urinary catheter
- Urinary tract infections
- Strenuous exercise shortly before the PSA
- Ejaculation within 48 hours of the PSA
Despite this long list of potential causes of high PSA levels (that don’t include prostate cancer), most men who have a high reading will be compelled to get a biopsy.
That might seem innocent enough, but these procedures are incredibly invasive and can come with some pretty hefty complications, like bleeding, urinary retention, and life-threatening infections.
Making the matter even more complicated, men who DO have prostate cancer can live long, healthy lives following the “active surveillance” approach, while the surgery to remove the cancer can leave men incontinent, impotent, and in misery.
So what’s the answer?
I now recommend a new test called the 4Kscore Test. This test uses a unique algorithm that calculates a patient’s risk for aggressive prostate cancer—and that is, after all, what you really want to know.
The test is incredibly accurate, with fewer than 2 percent of significant cancers being missed, and ZERO more aggressive cancers being missed.
If you have a high PSA reading, talk to your doctor about the getting 4Kscore before making any decisions.
Want me to answer your question next? Email me at askdrg@naturalhealthresponse.com
To a brighter day,
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.

Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
How to WIN the Battle of the Bulge
If you’re missing the sun right now, you’re NOT alone. February is prime time for the winter blahs. The holidays are long over. The days are short. And many folks are fighting low energy, irritability, and, maybe most irritating of all, THE MUNCHIES. During the winter doldrums, folks pack on an average of five to...
4 Reasons YOU Should Take a Multivitamin
Do you REALLY need to take a daily multivitamin? Well, that depends on you. If you’re eating an optimal diet of seasonal foods, then a multivitamin may be a waste of money. However, even the best diet may not be enough to obtain the nutrients your body needs. You see, as you age, your body...
Peruvian Hack Boosts Sex Drive
When your health suffers, so does your sex life. As they age, this leaves many folks looking for a little extra “boost” in the bedroom. And there’s nothing wrong with that! In fact, intimacy can IMPROVE your health. Sometimes the issue is with your ability to perform. But all too often, it’s just your desire...
Downing This Drink SHEILDS Your Liver
Yesterday, I warned you about how fast food harms your liver. But even if you’re NOT eating at Mickey D’s regularly, being overweight or diabetic can increase your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other deadly liver complications. Your best bet is to quit fast food. And to start eating a more natural,...
THIS Food Sends Liver Disease SOARING
Your liver has a vital job. It filters toxins and other harmful substances out of your blood before passing it along to the rest of your body. That means it’s exposed to ALL the bad stuff you take in. The protection your liver provides for the rest of your body is literally lifesaving. But the...
"Fat Fix" Fights Dry and Flaky Winter Skin
Fat gets a bad rap. But your body NEEDS fat. It helps you absorb key nutrients such as vitamin D. It gives you energy and supports cell function. It even keeps your cholesterol under control. You just need to make sure you’re eating the RIGHT kind. When you choose wisely, fat can protect against heart...
Yes, WHEN You Work Out MATTERS
Some people exercise because they like it. Some do it because they want to look good. Others work out because their life depends on it. This is especially true if you want to reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke. But to get the MOST heart protection from your exercise program, you’ll need to...
Slash Fracture Risk 49%
If you’re over 50, you should know THIS about your bones: If you’re not taking steps to make them stronger, they’re likely getting weaker by the day. That’s because once you pass 50, your bones break down faster than they form. This imbalance can lead to a loss of bone density, the development of osteoporosis,...
The Secret to PREVENTING Melanoma
Melanoma cases have skyrocketed in recent years. With so many folks diligently slathering on sunscreen and staying indoors these days, have you ever wondered why? Well, a recent study identified a key nutrient that can DRAMATICALLY reduce your risk of melanoma—even in high-risk individuals. And this “surprising” discovery happens to highlight a troubling truth… What...