Private PSA Test Prostate Cancer Screening & Results
Concerned About Prostate Cancer? Understand Your Risk with a Private PSA Test.A PSA blood test is a key part of prostate cancer screening. Our private clinic, led by a senior consultant urological surgeon, offers a comprehensive PSA test service, including a full consultation to explain your test results and discuss your personal prostate cancer risk.
Comprehensive PSA test service
Understanding Your Prostate Health Shouldn’t Be Confusing
For any man over 50, or for those with a family history of prostate cancer, thinking about your prostate health is essential. You may have heard about the PSA test but feel unsure about what it is, whether you should have one, and what a “raised” PSA level might mean.
The fear of prostate cancer and the uncertainty around testing can be a significant source of anxiety.
Private Treatment at the Hospital Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Your Path to a Reassuring Diagnosis and Prostate Problems Hospital Treatment.We understand these concerns. Our goal is to provide clarity and expert guidance. As a senior consultant urological surgeon, Mr Haider Syed offers a specialist-led service to not only perform the PSA test but, more importantly, to help you understand your result in the context of your personal health.
- The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a critical blood test that measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland
- Harley Street-level treatment locally, I remain personally involved and available throughout your care journey.
All consultations and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) are conducted at our leading private hospital locations: Birmingham and Solihull.
Your PSA Test Journey in 3 Simple Steps
We make the process of getting a PSA test and understanding the results clear and straightforward.
Book Your Confidential Consultation
Private consultations at the hospital Mr Haider Syed will discuss your personal prostate cancer risk, explain the advantages and disadvantages of the PSA test, and answer all your questions.
Have Your Simple Blood Test
The PSA test is a simple blood test that can be done at the hospital. Your blood sample is analysed to measure the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
Receive a Clear Explanation of Your Result
Once your test results are available, we will explain what your specific PSA level means for you. We will then create a personalised plan, whether that’s reassurance, arranging a regular PSA test for monitoring, or advising on further investigations.
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Understanding the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
Making an informed decision about your health starts with clear information. Here is a detailed guide to the PSA test, what it measures, and what the results can tell you about your prostate health.
Our Commitment to Your Care Includes:
A Specialist Hospital Setting: All consultations, diagnostics, and procedures are performed at either Spire Little Aston Hospital or Spire Parkway Hospital.
A Dedicated Expert Team: You are looked after by a complete specialist team, including an expert anaesthetist and dedicated urological nurses, ensuring clinical excellence.
All-Inclusive Care: Your treatment package is fully inclusive, covering all necessary follow-up appointments and the management of any post-operative concerns.
Seamless Support: You receive continuous care from the same trusted team from your first consultation through to your full recovery, with no hand-offs.
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Mr Syed is very thorough and polite, taking great care in his work and when listening to his patients. I felt heard about my issues from the moment I stepped into his office; he is an excellent professional.
What is a PSA Test?
The PSA test is a blood test that measures the amount of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland in all men, including by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. The prostate is a gland located below the bladder. It is normal for men to have some PSA in their blood, and the amount tends to increase slowly with age as the prostate gets bigger. The PSA test is a key tool used to screen for prostate cancer.
A small amount of PSA naturally leaks out of the prostate into the blood, and the PSA test measures this level. The idea behind using the PSA test to screen for prostate cancer is that a problem with your prostate, such as prostate cancer, can cause more PSA to be released. Therefore, a higher level of PSA in your blood may indicate an issue. This test can help to pick up a fast-growing cancer at an early stage when treatment is most effective.
It’s important to understand that the PSA test is not a direct test for cancer. It is a risk indicator. A decision on further action is never made on a PSA level alone; it is one part of a wider assessment of your prostate health. This test is a blood test, and the result gives your doctor valuable information.
What Does a “Raised” PSA Level Mean?
If your PSA test result comes back high, this is known as a “raised PSA level.” It is crucial to understand that a high PSA level does not automatically mean you have an increased risk of prostate cancer. PSA levels can be raised for several reasons that are not related to cancer. Many men with a high PSA don’t have prostate cancer. A raised PSA level may be a sign of a problem, but it is not a diagnosis of cancer itself.
One of the most common causes of a raised PSA is a benign (non-cancerous) enlarged prostate, a very common prostate condition in men over 50. Other prostate problems, such as a urinary tract infection or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), can also cause your PSA level to go up temporarily. Because there are many reasons why your PSA level is raised, a high result needs to be interpreted carefully by a specialist.
If your PSA level is high, it indicates that further investigation is needed to find the cause. This usually involves further discussion with your urologist and may lead to other tests, such as an MRI scan of the prostate, or in some cases, a prostate biopsy. A prostate biopsy is where small samples of prostate tissue are taken to be checked for cancer cells.
What are the Disadvantages of the PSA Test?
While the PSA test can be a valuable tool, it’s important to be aware of the disadvantages of having the PSA test. The test is not perfect. It is possible for men with a normal PSA level to have prostate cancer (a “false negative”). Cancer Research UK highlights that some slow-growing prostate cancers may not produce much PSA. This means the test may miss some types of prostate cancer.
Conversely, one of the main disadvantages of the PSA test is that it can produce a “false positive” result. This is when your PSA level is raised, but you don’t have prostate cancer. This can lead to significant anxiety and may result in you having further invasive tests, like a prostate biopsy, that you do not need. A prostate biopsy has its own risks, including bleeding and infection.
Another of the disadvantages of having the psa test is the issue of over-diagnosis and over-treatment. The test may pick up a slow-growing prostate cancer that would never have caused you any problems or shortened your life. Being diagnosed with a slow-growing prostate cancer can be very stressful, and you may end up having treatment for prostate cancer that you didn’t need, which comes with its own side effects. This is a key reason why there is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK.
Who Should Consider a Regular PSA Test?
The decision to have a regular PSA test is a personal one that you should make after discussing the pros and cons with your doctor. Generally, men are advised to consider having a PSA test starting at age 50. However, you may be at a higher risk of prostate cancer and might want to consider testing earlier, from the age of 45, if you have an increased risk, so then needing urological surgical treatments and procedures.
Your prostate cancer risk is higher if you have a family history of prostate cancer. For example, if your father or brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer, your own risk of developing prostate cancer is increased. Your risk is also higher if you are of Black ethnic origin. A specialist can help you assess your personal prostate cancer risk profile and decide if a regular PSA test is right for you.
You can ask for a PSA test if you’re worried. A consultation with a urologist allows you to have a detailed discussion about your personal health, your family history, and any symptoms you may have. This will help you make an informed choice about whether you want to have a PSA test to screen for prostate cancer.
What Could Affect My PSA Level Result?
Several factors can temporarily affect the result of your PSA test, resulting in a short-term increase in your PSA level. It is important to be aware of these to ensure your test is as accurate as possible. For this reason, it is generally advised that you avoid any of these activities for 48 hours before your PSA test.
Prostate stimulation of any kind can cause more PSA to leak into the blood. This includes recent ejaculation (sex) and vigorous exercise, particularly cycling, which can put pressure on the prostate gland. A urinary tract infection can also cause PSA levels to be raised significantly. You should wait for the infection to be fully treated before having your PSA test.
A recent digital rectal examination (DRE) of your prostate can also cause a temporary rise in your PSA. For this reason, your doctor will usually take the blood for the PSA test before performing a DRE. By avoiding these activities, you help ensure that the test results accurately reflect your baseline PSA level.
Key Things to Remember
- The PSA test is a blood test: It measures a protein called Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), which is made by the prostate gland.
- A Raised PSA is Not a Diagnosis of Cancer: A high PSA level can be caused by many conditions, including a common non-cancerous enlarged prostate or an infection. It does not mean you have prostate cancer.
- The Test Has Pros and Cons: While it can help detect cancer early, the PSA test can also lead to false alarms, anxiety, and unnecessary further procedures. You should discuss these before deciding to have the test.
- Your Risk Matters: Men over 50, or those with a family history of prostate cancer, are at a higher risk and may wish to discuss regular PSA testing with a specialist.