PSA, a dangerous laboratorial test.

After analysing data found in the literature about the complications that the PSA blood test (prostate specific antigen), requested in case of prostate cancer suspicion, scientists concluded that the harm caused by the indications of therapies and diagnostics when it is is elevated, may outweigh the benefit to cure a cancer in the prostate.
When the physician isn´t sure about this PSA elevation, a prostate biopsy is required and there are situations, that complications such as bleeding and infection can lead to hospitalization and even to death. And often there is  a diagnosis of less agressive cancer, but it ends up leading to surgery or radiation therapy, that can cause complications such as impotence and incontinence.
The correct is request a PSA test when there is a suspicion of prostate tumor, most often aroused by digital rectal examination and thus decide, for prostate biopsy.
Read a bit more about it, by accessing the link at Medscape:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/811846