Understanding the PSA blood test
A guide for anyone concerned about prostate cancer.
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 as you get older. This is because your prostate gets bigger as you get older. A raised PSA level may suggest you have a problem with your prostate, but it might not be cancer.
Who can have a PSA blood test?
There is currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK and you will not be invited for a PSA blood test by your GP. But you can have a PSA test at your GP surgery if you’re over 50 and you’ve thought carefully about the advantages and disadvantages (see page 23).
If you have a higher risk of prostate cancer (see page 10), you may want to speak to your GP about having a PSA test from the age of 45. You may also be offered a PSA test if you have certain urinary symptoms (see page 8).
What can the PSA blood test tell me?
A raised PSA level can be a sign of a problem with your prostate. This could be:
- an enlarged prostate
- prostatitis
- prostate cancer.