Prostate specific antigen is a protein made by the prostate. At The Wellness in Marylebone it costs £650, as the Advanced Health panel, with results in 48 to 72 hours and a doctor to explain the result.
Prostate specific antigen is a protein made by the prostate. The level rises with prostate cancer, and also with an enlarged prostate, infection and recent ejaculation or exercise.
There is no national PSA screening programme in the UK. Men over 50 may ask for the test after talking through what it can and cannot show, and from 45 if they are black or have a father or brother with prostate cancer.
A raised PSA is not a diagnosis. It leads to a repeat test, an examination and, where needed, an MRI.
For 48 hours before, avoid ejaculation and vigorous exercise, especially cycling. Do not have the test while you have a urine infection.
It is a decision to make with a doctor. The test can find cancer early, and it can also lead to further tests for a cancer that would never have caused harm.
The Advanced panel, for men.
Choose a panel and a time for the draw in clinic. A doctor reads the result before it reaches you, and rings or writes with what it means and what to do next. Or ring 020 3951 3429.