Prostate health is something many men don’t think about until there’s a problem, yet prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide. Catching issues early often means more treatment options and better outcomes. One of the simplest tools for early detection is the PSA blood test. 

It’s a quick, routine test that measures prostate-specific antigen in your blood. PSA testing can help spot potential prostate issues before symptoms appear and is also used to monitor prostate health over time. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how prostate PSA testing works, when you should consider getting tested, how often to repeat it and what your results might mean for your health.

What is a PSA Blood Test?

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. This protein plays a role in the male reproductive system and is produced almost entirely by the prostate gland. A small amount of PSA leaks into the bloodstream, which makes it easy to measure with a simple blood test.

When doctors talk about a PSA blood test, they mean a test that checks the amount of this protein in your blood. Testing for PSA is most often used to monitor prostate cancer treatment. If the prostate has been removed during treatment, then PSA levels should drop to zero. If it starts rising again, that can signal the cancer has returned.

This test is also an important cancer screening tool. PSA testing is the most widely used blood test in diagnosing prostate cancer. Since prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in men, having a reliable way to check for problems early is essential.

Why is PSA Testing Important?

PSA testing can help detect prostate problems before they become more serious. Prostate issues can include an enlarged prostate, inflammation or prostate cancer. Each of these conditions can raise PSA levels.

A good approach is to get a baseline PSA measurement around age 50. That gives you a starting point for future comparisons. Early detection of prostate issues gives you more options for treatment and a better chance of avoiding long-term complications.

Signs You Might Need a PSA Test

Sometimes there are warning signs that something might be wrong with the prostate. Common signs of prostate issues include:

  • Difficulty urinating
  • Frequent urination at night
  • Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area
  • Blood in urine or semen

These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but they do signal that something needs checking. Testing for PSA can help determine if further investigation is needed.

How Often Should You Have a PSA Test?

How often you need PSA testing depends on age, risk level and family history. Doctors also watch the rate of change over time, since a sudden increase can be more concerning than a single elevated result.

General recommendations are:

  • Men over 50 with average risk: once a year along with a prostate exam
  • Men over 45 with high risk: yearly
  • Men over 40 with very high risk: yearly starting at 40

According to Prostate Cancer UK black men face an even higher risk, with one in four developing the disease in their lifetime.

If prostate cancer runs in the family, you might benefit from testing before age 50. Family history is one of the strongest risk factors of prostate cancer in men.

Understanding PSA Test Results

People often ask: what should your PSA level be? The National Cancer Institute suggests that a PSA level above 4.0 is considered abnormal. A PSA under 1 is considered very good and linked to a very low risk of significant prostate cancer.

However, a normal reading does not guarantee there’s no cancer. Some cancers occur even when PSA is between 2 and 3. Doctors also look at PSA velocity, which is the rate of increase over time. An increase of 0.2 in a year may be considered abnormal.

Follow ups may include a rectal exam, imaging or a biopsy to determine the cause. PSA naturally rises with age, so a normal number at 50 will often be lower than what is considered normal at 75.

Limitations of PSA Testing

Every man with a prostate will have PSA in his blood. The challenge is that prostate PSA testing is prostate-specific but not cancer-specific. An elevated PSA can be caused by an enlarged prostate, inflammation, infection or even natural variation from day to day.

This means false positives can occur, leading to unnecessary worry or further testing. On the other hand, false negatives can happen if cancer is present but PSA is still within the normal range.

Think of a PSA test as a check engine light in your car. It doesn’t tell you exactly what’s wrong but signals that something needs further investigation. The final decision about treatment depends on more detailed tests such as biopsies, scans and cancer type analysis.

Book Your PSA Blood Test at The Oakley Medical Practice

If you have a family history of prostate cancer or you want a baseline PSA, a prostate profile gives a thorough starting point. Routine PSA testing is not offered on the NHS. However, at our private GP practice in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, we offer a comprehensive Prostate Profile for £200. This measures Total PSA, free PSA and percentage PSA to give you a detailed picture of your prostate health. 

We are a CQC registered medical practice and can advise on repeat testing, interpretation of results and onwards referral if extra investigation is needed. Ready to book? Phone 0121 368 8104 or use our online web form to enquire.