Practice policy on PSA screening
National guidance from the UK is consistent with US Screening Recommendations 2012 which DOES NOT recommend screening for prostate cancer at any age as the benefits of screening for prostate cancer by measuring PSA ( the ‘prostate blood test’) does not outweigh harms. This practice follows National guidance.
However government guidelines also states “The PSA test is available free to men who request it”. So if despite this advice, you still want to have a PSA test then please make an appointment with reception to book a blood test. Please also bring a specimen of urine with you or ask for a bottle to pass one before your appointment.
Before a PSA test please ensure that you should not have:
-an active urinary infection within previous 6 weeks
-ejaculated in previous 48 hours
-exercised vigorously, for example cycling in the previous 48 hours
-had a investigation such as prostate biopsy in previous 6 weeks
If however you have symptoms that may suggest an enlarged prostate (difficulty passing urine, getting up several times in the night to pass urine, difficulty delaying passing urine in the day) please make an appointment to discuss these symptoms with your doctor
If your first PSA is above normal local guidelines recommend this is repeated after 4 weeks and if still elevated a hospital referral will be made for investigation
WE WILL NOT PERFORM PSA SCREENING MORE FREQUENTLY THAN ANNUALLY