North Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group

Getting Tested – PSA Testing for Men Aged 40–80

Prostate Cancer mainly affects men over 50, but it can affect younger men too. Importantly, Prostate Cancer does not always cause symptoms in its early stages. You can have Prostate Cancer and feel completely well. That is why we encourage men not to wait for symptoms before taking their prostate health seriously. Your age, family history and ethnicity can all affect your risk. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and Black men are at higher-than-average risk and are encouraged to discuss PSA testing with their GP from around age 45. Current UK clinical consensus recommends that all informed men should have the opportunity to access a PSA blood test from age 50. At the North Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group, we believe men should have the opportunity to understand their prostate health and make an informed decision about PSA testing. In partnership with the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust (GFCT), we provide PSA testing events for men aged 40–80 across North Wales. These community testing events provide an additional opportunity for men to access PSA testing in a friendly and supportive environment, particularly for those who may find it difficult to access testing through their GP. Don't wait for symptoms. Know your risk. Know your PSA. Know your prostate.

What is a PSA Test?

PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen. It is a protein produced by the prostate gland and can be measured with a simple blood test. The test can be carried out at your GP surgery or at one of our NWPCSG PSA testing events, delivered in partnership with the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, for men aged 40–80. A blood sample is taken and the amount of PSA in your blood is measured. PSA levels can naturally increase as the prostate gets larger with age, but a raised PSA can also be caused by other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate, prostatitis or a urinary infection. A PSA test is NOT a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer. A raised PSA does not necessarily mean that cancer is present, and a PSA level within the expected range does not completely rule out prostate cancer. This is why PSA testing is about understanding risk, rather than simply receiving a “positive” or “negative” cancer result. If your PSA is raised, your GP or healthcare professional can discuss what the result means for you and whether further investigation is needed.

Is the PSA test accurate?

The PSA test is currently the best first blood test available to help identify men who may be at increased risk of Prostate Cancer, but it is not perfect.

There can be both false-positive and false-negative results.

A raised PSA does not automatically mean Prostate Cancer. According to the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust:

Around 3 out of 4 men with a raised PSA do not have Prostate Cancer.

Around 1 out of 4 men with a raised PSA will have Prostate Cancer.

Around 15% of men with Prostate Cancer may not have a raised PSA level.

This is why a PSA result should never be considered a diagnosis on its own.

If your PSA is raised, your GP may recommend repeating the test or carrying out further investigations. Depending on the circumstances, this can include an MRI scan and, where appropriate, a biopsy.

It is also important to remember that one PSA result is only a snapshot. Your result needs to be considered alongside your age, family history, ethnicity, symptoms, previous PSA results and other risk factors.

There is currently no single testing interval that is right for every man. Some men may choose to have their PSA checked every couple of years, while men at higher risk may need to discuss testing more frequently with their healthcare professional.

Our message is simple:

Don't wait for symptoms.

Know your risk.

Know your PSA.

Early detection can provide more opportunities for investigation and treatment.

North Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group

In partnership with the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust