Men’s Health

Prostate Tests

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, and the risk increases with age, particularly after 50. A PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test can help identify changes in the prostate that may need further investigation. However, PSA testing is not a definitive test for prostate cancer. A raised PSA can be caused by other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate, inflammation or infection, and some people with prostate cancer have a normal PSA result. PSA testing can also identify slow-growing cancers that may never cause symptoms or shorten a person’s life, potentially leading to further tests and treatment that may not have been necessary.

For these reasons, there is currently no national PSA screening programme in the UK. If you are concerned about prostate cancer or are considering a PSA test, please speak to a healthcare professional about your individual risk and the potential benefits and limitations of testing.