Prostate Cancer Marker (PSA)
£65
What the Panel Is
The PSA blood test measures the level of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. Raised PSA levels may be be associated with prostate cancer but can also occur in non-cancerous conditions such as benign prostatic enlargement (BPH), prostatitis and urinary tract infections. PSA helps assess the risk of prostate cancer and monitor men with an established diagnosis. It is not a screening or diagnostic test for prostate cancer and should always be interpreted alongside your symptoms and clinical assessment.
Tests Included
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate gland. Measuring PSA helps assess prostate health and may be used alongside clinical assessment when investigating symptoms such as urinary problems or monitoring prostate conditions. PSA levels can be raised by several non-cancerous conditions including an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, urinary tract infections, recent ejaculation or cycling, as well as prostate cancer. An abnormal PSA result does not diagnose prostate cancer but indicates that further assessment may be appropriate.
Important Pre-Test Information
- This test may be appropriate for men with urinary symptoms, those wishing to better understand their prostate cancer risk after informed discussion, or where recommended by a healthcare professional.
- Avoid ejaculation, sexual intercourse and vigorous cycling or exercise for 48 hours before testing.
- Postpone testing if you have a urinary tract infection, prostatitis or have recently undergone prostate procedures, as these may affect PSA levels.
- Ideally, wait 1 week after a digital rectal examination (DRE) and 6 weeks after a prostate biopsy before testing.
- A raised PSA does not diagnose prostate cancer, and a normal PSA does not completely exclude it. If you have symptoms suggestive of prostate disease, you should still seek assessment from your GP regardless of your PSA result. Your GP will perform a clinical assessment and arrange any further investigations or referrals that are appropriate.