ATLANTA -- A new study of more than 2,700 men suggests a man's weight might affect the accuracy of a common test to detect prostate cancer. Researchers say that means doctors could be missing the dangerous cancer in obese men.

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The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, was released online Monday in the journal Cancer and will be published in the March 1 print issue of the journal.

It found that obese men had lower levels of prostate specific antigen, or PSA, which indicates prostate cancer, even if the cancer was present.

Previous studies have shown that prostate cancer is more aggressive in obese men than in men of average weight. Research has found that obese men with prostate cancer are diagnosed at more advanced stages and have higher mortality rates.

The researchers wanted to see if the cancer's detection was somehow being delayed in overweight men.

Researchers hope the new findings may encourage doctors to take a closer look at the PSA tests of obese men.