PSA blood test can help detect prostate cancer before symptoms develop and may pick up a fast-growing cancer at an early stage, where treatment is more likely to be effective. It works by measuring the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, taken via a quick blood test, administered by a Superdrug nurse in one of Superdrug’s high street health clinics.
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When you attend your appointment, the nurse will ask you some basic medical questions to ensure you are well enough for the blood test. Your screen will consist of a blood sample, usually from your arm.
Fasting is not necessary for this test. However, it is recommended that you avoid ejaculation and heavy exercise for the 48 hours before your test. Urinary infections can affect the results, and this test is not suitable for people having had a prostate biopsy in the past 6 weeks.
The blood will be tested for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) which can detect signs of prostate cancer, even if there are no symptoms. The test itself cannot diagnose prostate cancer. If your level is raised, you may need to have further tests arranged by your GP. These may include further PSA blood tests, an MRI scan, or a biopsy.
There is no routine PSA test offered by the NHS. You may be offered one if a doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be prostate cancer, and anyone aged 50 or over can ask for a PSA test. Men with a positive family history of prostate cancer (e.g. father, brother), or those who have black or mixed black ethnicity are at increased risk, so could consider a PSA test from the age of 45. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psa-test/
The PSA level is affected by things other than cancer and can fluctuate over time. If you have had a urine infection you should wait for at least 6 weeks before having a PSA test. Levels can also be affected by: Ejaculation in the previous 48 hours Vigorous exercise in the last 48 hours Having a prostate biopsy in the last 6 weeks or a DRE before the blood test We recommend that you schedule your test for a time not affected by these factors
Superdrug blood tests have an age restriction of 18 for taking our venous blood tests, however we do not recommend this test for patients under the age of 50 unless there is a family history of prostate cancer or are of black ethnicity. Here we would suggest tracking the level annually.
The current success rate of samples is over 98%.
A stand alone PSA test cannot diagnose prostate cancer. If levels are raised, you may need to have further tests arranged by your GP. These may include further PSA blood tests, an MRI scan or a biopsy.
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