PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Blood Test
This blood test measures the level of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in the blood. PSA can be elevated in cases of prostate cancer.
Is it for you?
Do you know someone who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer which makes you wonder about your own prostate health? Are you over 50 years old - or over 45 but have risk factors for prostate cancer like a close family member who has been affected? Or have you been treated for prostate cancer and want to monitor your PSA levels? If you have taken care to understand the risks, benefits and shortcomings of a PSA test and have decided to go ahead, then this is the test for you.
£51.00
Terms and Conditions applyWhat's included?
Biomarker profile
- Prostate
Prostate (1 Biomarker)
Special instructions
You should NOT have an active urinary infection, ejaculated or exercised heavily in the last 48 hours; had a prostate biopsy in the last 6 weeks or a DRE (digital rectal examination) in the last week.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to affect men in the UK and every year over 11,000 men die of prostate cancer. Finding cancer early improves your chances of being successfully treated, but also increases your risk of being treated for a cancer which is not aggressive and may not have affected your lifespan. The side-effects of prostate cancer treatment can include erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence which can have a big impact on your quality of life. This is why prostate screening in the UK is a controversial subject.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a marker which can be used in screening for prostate cancer, as well as in its treatment.
Whilst the PSA test can help to detect prostate cancer earlier, it has several shortcomings when used as a screening test. We encourage you to do as much research as possible and be aware of the risks and benefits of taking a PSA test before buying this test.
False positives
Besides being elevated by prostate cancer, PSA levels can also be raised as a result of urinary tract infection, or even certain activities such as recent ejaculation and some forms of exercise. This means that there is a risk of PSA being elevated when no cancer is present (a false positive). For every 100 men with a high PSA result, approximately 75 of them will have a false positive result, and 25 will have a true positive (i.e. they will have prostate cancer). Currently the most reliable way of working out whether someone has a true positive or a false positive is by performing a prostate biopsy. Because the PSA test has a high false positive rate many of these prostate biopsies will prove to be unnecessary. However, the use of MRI scans before a biopsy means that unnecessary biopsies are in decline.
False negatives
You should also be aware that PSA tests can cause false negative results. This means that the PSA result is in the normal range but the person has underlying prostate cancer. PSA levels can remain normal in the early stages of prostate cancer, providing false reassurance. If we test 100 men with prostate cancer then approximately 15 of them would have a normal PSA result (a false negative).
Dying 'with' rather than 'of' prostate cancer
In some cases prostate cancer grows very slowly and may never cause symptoms or shorten lifespan. A significant proportion of the men who receive a true positive result may undergo surgery that they did not need.
When to see a doctor
If you have any symptoms such as the need to urinate frequently, difficulty in starting or stopping the flow of urine, pain during sex, or any other urinary symptoms then please see your doctor for a full examination. Do not attempt to diagnose yourself with a PSA test.
Why take this test?
- You are a man over the age of 50 who has considered the risks and benefits
- You have a family history of prostate cancer or have a higher risk of prostate cancer
- You wish to monitor an already diagnosed prostate condition
- You are taking testosterone replacement (TRT) and want to check your PSA
Expert interpretation
of your results
One of our team of doctors will review your results and give you personalised advice based on your medical history, lifestyle and health and fitness goals.
Your personal
health centre
Discover the easy way to track your health through our online portal, my.medichecks.com. View your results with doctor's advice, monitor any changes over time and see the improvements you can make to your health with simple lifestyle changes.
Questions? Let us help
Our customer care team are on-hand to help you find the test that's right for you. Get in touch via phone, live chat or email.
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Important
Our tests are not a substitute for seeing your doctor, especially if you are suffering symptoms. Our doctors will interpret your results based on the information you have provided, but will not diagnose, consult or provide any treatment. You will be advised to see your doctor for any necessary follow-up action.
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