Annual PSA Blood Test Within Our Routine Health Checks

 

We are offering an annual PSA blood test within our routine health checks to all:

  • Men aged 50-70

  • Black men aged 45-70

  • Men with a recorded family history of prostate or breast cancer aged 45-70

 

What is the PSA blood test?

The PSA test is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and also by prostate cancer cells. It's normal to have a small amount of PSA in your blood, and the amount rises slightly as you get older and your prostate gets bigger. A raised PSA level may suggest you have a problem with your prostate, but not necessarily cancer.

 

What could affect my PSA level?

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is produced by healthy cells in the prostate, so it’s normal to have a small amount of PSA in your blood. The amount rises as you get older because your prostate gets bigger.
Prostate problems, such as an enlarged prostate, prostatitis or prostate cancer, can cause your PSA level to rise – but lots of other things can affect your PSA level too, including the following.
  • A urine infection – You may have a test for a urine infection as this can raise your PSA level. If you have an infection, you’ll be given treatment for this. You’ll need to wait until the infection has gone – around six weeks – before you have a PSA test.
  • 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.
  • Anal sex and prostate stimulation – Receiving anal sex, or having your prostate stimulated during sex, might raise your PSA level for a while. It might be worth avoiding this for a week before a PSA test.
  • Prostate biopsy – If you’ve had a biopsy in the six weeks before a PSA test, this could raise your PSA level.
  • Medicines – Let your GP or practice nurse know if you’re taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, as some might affect your PSA level. For example, some medicines used to treat an enlarged prostate, known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors such as finasteride (Proscar®) or dutasteride (Avodart®), can reduce your PSA level and give a false test result.
  • Other tests or surgery – If you've had any tests or surgery on your bladder or prostate, you may need to wait up to six weeks before having a PSA test.
  • Urinary catheters – If you have a catheter to drain urine from your bladder, you may need to wait up to six weeks after it has been put in before having a PSA test.

 

For more information:

Prostate cancer - Should I have a PSA test? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

PSA test | Prostate Cancer UK