Should I have a PSA test?
The PSA test isn’t perfect, and it’s important to know the pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide whether having the test is the right thing for you.
To help you decide if you would like a test the following leaflet and video may be helpful and if you remain unsure you can always talk to us on 0800 111 4314 (freephone Monday-Friday 8am-6pm).
Additional information (leaflet)
Advantages
- You might feel reassured if your test is normal.
- If your PSA is raised, you can continue to have it monitored. This is important if you are at increased risk of getting prostate cancer.
- A PSA test might help pick up prostate cancer before you have any symptoms.
- Finding prostate cancer early may improve your treatment options and survival.
Disadvantages
- Your PSA may be raised but you don’t have prostate cancer. This is called a false positive result. Many men with a raised PSA level do not have prostate cancer. If your PSA is raised, you may need to have other tests such as a prostate biopsy (a sample taken from the prostate gland), and there may be side-effects from this investigation, such as bleeding or infection. But in most cases now, men have an MRI scan first and only have a biopsy if the scan finds something unusual.
- If we find you do have cancer, you will need to make a decision about treatment. Finding a slow growing prostate cancer that is not likely to cause you problems or impact on the length of your life can still make you worry, and may lead you to choose a treatment that you don’t need. Most men with low risk early prostate cancer now have their cancer monitored by a hospital team and only have treatment if the cancer starts to grow.
- The PSA test can also miss prostate cancer. If your PSA is normal there is less than a 7% chance that you have an important cancer, however it is still possible. It is important that even if you have a normal PSA result you contact your GP for further review if you have concerning symptoms that could indicate prostate cancer.
If your PSA is raised, you will get to see a specialist and speak to them in detail to make the decision that is right for you. The first step is usually to have an MRI scan of the prostate before any further tests are considered.
To find out more about what happens when your PSA is raised click here.