There is dearth of information on the association between metal levels and prostate cancer incidence inspite of the ubiquity of metals in the environment. This thus necessitated the evaluation of the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and some heavy metals in both prostate and non-prostate cancer subjects. Using Direct Rectal Examination (DRE) as well as PSA levels to distinguish between prostate and non-prostate cancer subjects, fasting blood sample was collected, by venepuncture, from each subject and the serum separated into two micro-vial tubes for the evaluation of levels of some heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Zn) and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA level was measured using Enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) method. The levels of the heavy metals, Cadmium, Chromium and Zinc were determined using an Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer after acid digestion .The results showed that 84% of diseased subjects were within the age range of 50-79 years. The mean PSA level in the diseased subjects (51.50 ± 39.05 µg/l) was significantly higher than in the control subjects (2.12 ± 1.40 µg/l). Similarly, Chromium level in the diseased subjects (0.58 ± 0.33 mg/l) was significantly higher than that of the Control (0.29 ± 0.13 mg/l).On the other hand, Zinc level in the diseased subjects (1.59 ± 0.90 mg/l) was, however, significantly lower than that in the control (9.20 ± 2.46 mg/l). Cadmium levels, however,did not exhibit significant difference in both sets of subjects. The Correlation matrices between PSA and the metals showed that a high negative correlation existed between PSA and Zinc (r = -0.76), implying that with low Zinc levels, male subjects may be predisposed to prostate cancer
Keywords: Prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate cancer, Cadmium, Chromium, Zinc