What is PSA?

PSA is a substance (protein) produced by the prostate gland in all men. Its full name is Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). This substance is measured by a simple blood test called a PSA blood test.

Running the test is simple enough and is widely available for men who want to assess their risk of prostate cancer. However, interpreting the test results is often fraught with difficulties.

The difficulties in the interpretation arise from the fact that the PSA test result doesn’t provide a clear-cut answer as to whether a man has prostate cancer or not.

PSA levels are usually elevated in prostate cancer, but not always, and other conditions can cause an elevated level of PSA, like infections in the urine, benign enlargement of the prostate and many other conditions.

Some men may have a slightly elevated level without actually having prostate cancer, and others may have a normal PSA level but have prostate cancer.

Urologists use PSA testing as one aspect of a whole prostate health assessment; other parts include careful assessment of symptoms, physical examination of the prostate and also other tests and scans, often including Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the prostate (MRI) and sometimes a sample from the prostate is needed (prostate biopsy).

Who would benefit from PSA testing?

Men with risk factors, especially anyone who has a family history of prostate cancer. Men who have a BRCA2 gene mutation detected. Men who have urinary symptoms also may benefit from PSA testing.

If you want to have your PSA tested, then please make sure you avoid ejaculation and cycling for at least 48 hours before the test.

If you are not sure and want to have a discussion before having the test done, then please book an appointment with my team to come and discuss it with me in clinic, where we would personalise the assessment that is most suited to you.