Prostate Cancer Testing in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in American men, including those living in Grand Rapids and across West Michigan. Understanding prostate cancer testing—especially the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test—can help you make informed decisions about your health.

Local men often receive prostate cancer screening and follow-up care through major Grand Rapids health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health also provide information and referrals for cancer screening.

What Is the PSA Test?

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is the most common blood test used to check for possible prostate problems, including prostate cancer.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra—the tube that carries urine and semen out through the penis. Prostate cells produce PSA, a protein that normally enters the bloodstream in small amounts.

As men age, the prostate gland often becomes larger (a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH), and PSA levels in the blood may rise.

How the PSA Test Works

  • A small blood sample is taken, usually from your arm.
  • The lab measures how much PSA is in your blood, reported as nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
  • Higher-than-expected PSA levels may indicate a problem with the prostate and the need for more testing.

Many primary care providers and urologists in Grand Rapids offer PSA testing as part of routine men’s health care, especially for men over 50 or those with risk factors.

What Else Can Affect PSA Levels?

A high PSA level does not always mean you have prostate cancer. In Grand Rapids clinics and hospitals, doctors regularly see elevated PSA caused by several non-cancerous conditions, including:

  • Prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate)
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate
  • Recent urinary tract infection
  • Recent ejaculation
  • Recent prostate procedures (such as catheter insertion or cystoscopy)
  • Vigorous cycling or prolonged pressure on the prostate
  • Certain medications or supplements

An elevated PSA result means that something is happening in the prostate, and further evaluation may be needed.

Should Men in Grand Rapids Have a PSA Test?

Prostate cancer is a leading cancer in American men, including those in Michigan. Cold winters and less outdoor activity in West Michigan can sometimes mean men delay routine checkups, so it’s important to stay proactive about screening.

General Recommendations

Most guidelines recommend that:

  • Men age 50 and older talk with their doctor about PSA testing.
  • Men age 40–45 and older with a family history of prostate cancer (father, brother, or son) or who are Black/African American should discuss earlier testing. Black men are at higher risk and are an important population in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan region.
  • Men of any age with urinary or other concerning symptoms should see a doctor promptly.

Symptoms That May Suggest a Prostate Problem

If you live in Grand Rapids and notice any of the following, talk to your primary care provider or a urologist:

  • Frequent urination, especially at night
  • Weak or interrupted urine stream
  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Dribbling at the end of urination
  • Pain or burning with urination
  • Pain with ejaculation
  • Blood in the urine or semen (never ignore this symptom)
  • Persistent pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis

In these situations, PSA testing is often recommended as part of the evaluation.

Making an Informed Decision About PSA Testing

PSA testing has benefits and potential harms, so it’s important to make an informed choice with your doctor.

In Grand Rapids, discussions about PSA testing often happen during annual physicals at clinics affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – U of M Health, or local independent practices.

Potential Benefits of PSA Testing

  • Early detection: PSA testing can detect prostate cancer before symptoms appear and before it spreads.
  • Improved chance of cure: When prostate cancer is found early and is aggressive, treatment is more likely to be successful.
  • Peace of mind: Regular PSA tests can reassure men at higher risk or those worried about prostate cancer.

Possible Harms and Limitations of PSA Testing

  • False positives: PSA can be high even when there is no cancer. This can lead to anxiety and additional tests, such as MRI or biopsy.
  • False negatives: Some men with prostate cancer have normal PSA levels, so cancer can be missed.
  • Overdiagnosis: PSA testing can find slow-growing cancers that would never have caused symptoms or shortened life.
  • Overtreatment: Because it’s hard to know which cancers will behave aggressively, some men undergo treatments (surgery, radiation) they might not have needed, which can cause side effects like urinary leakage or erectile dysfunction.

Because of these issues, doctors in Grand Rapids emphasize shared decision-making—you and your provider decide together whether PSA testing is right for you, based on your age, health, family history, and preferences.

Understanding Your PSA Results

A single PSA result is only one piece of information. Your doctor will look at:

  • Your PSA level
  • Changes over time (PSA trend)
  • Your age
  • Your family history
  • Any symptoms

Common PSA Thresholds

  • If your PSA is over 3.0 ng/mL, your doctor may recommend repeating the test in 1–3 months to see if it returns to normal.
  • If the PSA remains elevated, your doctor may order a free-to-total PSA ratio test. A lower ratio can mean a higher chance of cancer.
  • If you are in your 40s and/or have a strong family history of prostate cancer, your doctor may be more cautious and consider further testing if your PSA is above 2.0 ng/mL.

An abnormal PSA result does not automatically mean you have prostate cancer. It means you may need more evaluation.

What Happens If Your PSA Stays High?

If your PSA remains elevated or increases over time, your Grand Rapids provider may:

  1. Repeat the PSA test and review your history.
  2. Perform a digital rectal exam (DRE).
  3. Refer you to a urologist (a prostate and urinary tract specialist) for further evaluation.

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)

A urologist at a Grand Rapids clinic or hospital may perform a DRE:

  • The doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum.
  • They feel the prostate for size, shape, and any hard or irregular areas.
  • A normal DRE does not rule out prostate cancer, but an abnormal DRE increases concern and may lead to more tests.

MRI and Prostate Biopsy

If PSA and/or DRE suggest possible cancer, the next steps may include:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  • An MRI scan creates detailed images of the prostate.
  • It helps identify suspicious areas and guides the decision about whether a biopsy is needed.
  • MRI is available at major imaging centers and hospitals throughout Grand Rapids.

Prostate Biopsy

A biopsy is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer.

  • A needle is used to remove multiple small samples of prostate tissue.
  • The samples are examined in a lab to see if the cells are malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).
  • Biopsies can be done:
    • Through the rectum (transrectal) under local anesthetic, or
    • Through the perineum (transperineal) under local or general anesthetic.

If the biopsy shows cancer, a specialist such as a urologist or radiation oncologist will discuss treatment options with you.

If the biopsy is negative, you may be offered routine monitoring of your PSA. If your PSA rises again over time, another MRI or biopsy may be recommended.

Monitoring Prostate Cancer With PSA

After a diagnosis of prostate cancer, PSA testing remains an important tool:

  • PSA levels usually rise as a prostate tumor grows.
  • After treatment (surgery, radiation, hormone therapy), regular PSA tests help show:
    • Whether the tumor is shrinking or growing
    • Whether the current treatment is working
    • Whether the cancer has come back (recurrence)

Your care team in Grand Rapids will set up a schedule of PSA tests and follow-up visits tailored to your situation.

Active Surveillance vs Treatment

Because some prostate cancers grow very slowly, doctors may recommend Active Surveillance instead of immediate treatment:

  • Active Surveillance involves:
    • Regular PSA tests
    • Periodic DREs
    • Occasional MRI scans or repeat biopsies
  • Treatment (surgery or radiation) is started only if tests show the cancer is growing or becoming more aggressive.

Across all men who undergo PSA testing, some will be placed on Active Surveillance or receive treatment they might never have needed. This is part of the balance between catching dangerous cancers early and avoiding overtreatment of harmless ones.

Local Prostate Cancer Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

Men and families in Grand Rapids have access to a wide range of prostate cancer resources:

Healthcare Providers

  • Primary Care Providers (PCPs) – family doctors and internists at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) primary care clinics
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids practices
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health clinics
    • Independent practices throughout Kent County
  • Urology Specialists – urology groups affiliated with:
    • Corewell Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – U of M Health
    • Private urology practices in the Grand Rapids metro area

Public Health and Support

  • Kent County Health Department – information on cancer screening, local programs, and referrals.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health – education and community health resources.
  • American Cancer Society – Michigan Region – support programs, educational materials, and helplines.
  • National Prostate Cancer Organizations – such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation and other national support groups that provide information, online communities, and helplines.
  • Many Grand Rapids hospitals host or can refer you to:
    • Cancer support groups
    • Survivorship programs
    • Counseling and mental health services

If you’re unsure where to start, your primary care provider or local hospital’s cancer center can connect you with prostate cancer navigators and support services.

Key Points About Prostate Cancer Testing in Grand Rapids

  • The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test used to detect an increased risk of prostate cancer.
  • Higher PSA levels do not always mean cancer; conditions like prostatitis and benign prostate enlargement are common causes.
  • Men over 50, and men over 40 with a family history or higher risk, should talk to their doctor about PSA testing.
  • PSA testing can reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer by finding aggressive cancers early.
  • PSA testing also has limitations, including false positives, false negatives, and the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
  • In Grand Rapids, PSA testing, MRI, biopsy, and treatment are widely available through major health systems and local clinics.

Taking the Next Step

If you live in Grand Rapids or the surrounding West Michigan area and are concerned about prostate cancer:

  • Schedule a visit with your primary care provider to discuss your risk factors and whether PSA testing is right for you.
  • Ask questions about the benefits and risks of PSA testing, what your results mean, and what follow-up may be needed.
  • Use local resources like the Kent County Health Department, Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health – U of M Health for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and support.

Early, informed conversations with your healthcare team are the best way to protect your prostate health and overall well-being.