PSA testing for Prostate Cancer in Men – 27/6/2025

Symptoms of prostate cancer are:

1. needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
2. needing to rush to the toilet
3. difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
4. straining or taking a long time while peeing
5. weak flow
6. feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
7. blood in urine or blood in semen

 Until now, men have had to see their GP if they had concerns about prostate cancer and the GP would examine the back passage and do a blood test.

 From now on:

1. If you do NOT have any prostate symptoms you can have a PSA blood test
1. If you are attending for a blood test today and the Nurse/HCA has time, they may be able to add this on for you.
2. If you DO have any prostate symptoms, you still need to see your GP – a blood test on its own is not enough.

 Before having a PSA test, it is important not to have:

1. A urine infection
2. Had sex or masturbated in the last 48 hours
3. Exercised a lot in the last 48 hours
4. Had receptive anal sex in the last 48 hours
5. Had prostate stimulation in the last 48 hours
6. Had a prostate biopsy in the last 6 weeks
7. Had an examination of your back passage in the last week.

If any of these apply, book another appointment in the appropriate timescale. For more information please click on this text.