Right now, the UK does not have a national screening programme for prostate cancer. This is because we don’t yet have a test that can reliably find prostate cancer early enough for treatment to help.
What is Cancer Screening?
Cancer screening means testing people to find cancer early, before they feel ill. For a screening test to be useful, it needs to:
- Find cancers that need treatment
- Do more good than harm
- Be something people are willing to do
The test also needs to be good value for the NHS.
The PSA Test
The main test for prostate cancer is called the PSA test. PSA is a protein that both healthy and cancer cells in the prostate make. All men have some PSA in their blood.
A high PSA level might mean you have prostate cancer. But other things can raise your PSA level too, like:
- A urine infection
- An enlarged prostate that isn’t cancer
The PSA test isn’t perfect. Studies show that:
- One in seven men with normal PSA levels still have prostate cancer
- One in fifty men with normal PSA levels have fast-growing prostate cancer
- Sometimes the test finds slow-growing cancers that would never have caused problems
If you’re over 50, you can ask your GP for a PSA test. Your doctor will talk to you about the good and bad points of having the test.
Understanding PSA Results
PSA is measured in nanograms per millilitre of blood (ng/mL). What counts as normal varies from man to man and goes up as you get older. Most men have less than 3ng/ml.
If your PSA level is higher than expected for your age, your doctor might suggest more tests. Your GP can explain what your PSA level means for you.
New Research
Scientists are working hard to find better ways to test for prostate cancer. They’re looking at:
- New blood and urine tests
- Using blood tests along with other information like age and family history
- MRI scans and other types of scans
We need more research to know if these new tests work well enough.
Higher Risk Groups
You might be at higher risk of prostate cancer if you:
- Are a Black male
- Have a close relative (like a brother or father) who has had prostate cancer
- Have certain inherited genes
- Are older (the risk goes up with age)
Even for men at higher risk, regular testing hasn’t been shown to save lives. In fact, it might lead to unnecessary treatment for cancers that wouldn’t have caused problems.
When to See Your GP
Talk to your GP if:
- You’re worried about prostate cancer
- You have trouble passing urine
- You notice any changes when you pee
These signs don’t mean you have cancer, but it’s important to get them checked.
Your GP can:
- Listen to your concerns
- Talk about your risk factors
- Explain the PSA test
- Help you decide what’s right for you
Remember, you can always talk to your GP about any health worries you have. They’re there to help you make informed choices about your health.
Our Recommended Product
The Zoom Health Home Prostate Test offers a reliable way to check your PSA levels at home. This CE-certified test uses a simple finger-prick blood sample and gives results in just 10 minutes. The test is designed for men aged 45-75 and uses the international standard cut-off of 4 ng/ml. Each kit comes with everything you need: a test device, sterile lancet, pipette, and clear instructions. The test can help spot potential prostate issues early, when treatment works best. While it’s not a replacement for medical advice, it’s a useful tool for monitoring your prostate health between GP visits. For the best results, use this test once a year if you’re healthy, or more often if you have risk factors or symptoms.
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Health UK
Zoom Health is a leading UK supplier of Home Health Tests and Earplugs
