The PSA test is a blood test used to pick up prostate cancer.
Patients over 50yrs can get a PSA test done upon request.
Patients under 50yrs with urinary symptoms/concerns should book a GP appointment to discuss (it’s rare under this age)
Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms. That’s why it’s important to know your risk. www.prostatecanceruk.org
Symptoms
If you do notice changes in the way you urinate, this is more likely to be a sign of a an enlarged prostate, or another health problem. But it’s still a good idea to get it checked out to rule out cancer. Possible symptoms include:
- difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
- a weak flow when you urinate
- a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
- dribbling urine after you finish urinating
- needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
- a sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet.
- difficulty with erections
PSA blood test
If you have any of these symptoms book a PSA blood test and a GP appointment with the result to check your risk because the PSA test alone is not a perfect screening test. Research has shown around 3 in 4 men with a raised PSA level will not have cancer, and around 1 in 7 men with prostate cancer would have a normal PSA result. Prostate cancer – Should I have a PSA test? – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
If you don’t have symptoms, you can just book the PSA test if you would like one and are over 50y.
Before a PSA blood test avoid:
Vigorous exercise – You might be asked not to do any vigorous exercise in the 48 hours before a PSA test.
Ejaculation – You may be asked to avoid any sexual activity that leads to ejaculation in the 48 hours before a PSA test.