Prostate disease and PSA

Dear Ask The Doctor: My dad just got his PSA test back and his level is 11. what should be the next step we take? and does that level more represent cancer or BPH?

Dear Tiffany: Unfortunately, there is no PSA value that absolutely points to cancer or BPH. A PSA value of 11 is abnormal and requires further investigations. These investigations include ultrasound guided prostate biopsy to rule out prostate cancer. Some doctors may opt to repeat the PSA value in three months and if still abnormal, to then proceed to biopsy.