Am I entitled to a PSA test should I want one ?

Barry,

Ask your doctor to write you an order for a PSA blood test, this way If you have insurance, they'll pay.

There are some labs that you could walk in and pay cash and request any blood test. It's usually around 40 bucks.

Davey 22

Whether to do a PSA test or not is a good question. There are strong feelings on both sides of this issue. The greatest advise to give you is to not react quickly based on one or two tests. It also depends on your age whether to consider doing the tests. 

I, feel it is better to know what your base line is. Do not put too much emphasis on one test but follow the trends over a significant time period. I would have been in grave danger not doing the tests. 

​I am a survivor of Prostate cancer and did the tests for 15 years and came to the conclusion that action against this disease was necessary. 

In the UK any GP will test you if asked, if you are over 50. Depending on your age, your Prostate needs investigation if PSA goes above 4. Insist!

Barry,

Before you get your blood drawn for this test, there's a couple of things you should know.

Don't: Participate in vigorous exercise and activities that stimulate or “jostle” the prostate, such as bike riding, motorcycling, and riding a horse, ATV, or tractor, or getting a prostatic massage for 48 hours before your test. Participate in sexual activity that involves ejaculation for 48 hours before your test.

Schedule a PSA test if you have a urinary tract infection. A bacterial infection in the urinary tract can cause PSA levels to rise temporarily. If you are not sure if you have a urinary tract infection, have a urine test before your PSA test to make sure. If you do have a urinary tract infection, you should wait at least six weeks after you have completed your antibiotic treatment before you have your PSA test.

These could raise your PSA numbers.

Search the web for "what not to do before you psa test".

If you can pay, a private insurance company eg BUPA will test you if you are in the right age bracket. This is how I discovered several health issues that didn't show symptoms until several years later. These included gout, prostate cancer, high blood pressure.

Hi Barry,

According to the NHS website:

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/prostatehealth/pages/psa-test.aspx

"There are well-known issues with the accuracy of the PSA test and potential harmful consequences, which is why there is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK.

Instead, all men over the age of 50 can access quality information about the PSA test and discuss the option of having a free test with their GP as part of a scheme called the prostate cancer risk management programme (PCRMP).

Under PCRMP, your GP will be expected to discuss with you the benefits, limitations, and risks of the PSA test to help you decide whether or not to have it."

Thus, even if you are over 50, you have to consider whether to ask for one in the light of your GP's advice

Hi if you go to docs and ask him to check your prostate there is no need for a psa test if he thinks there is something wrong with your prostate you will  be giving a psa test I am pleased I done it that way as they have found cancer in the early stages  in my prostate they only checked my prostate as I had urine infection 

There are NO symptoms of prostate cancer.  Other than drawing blood there are no  reasons not to have a PSA test done to establish a base line number.  If there is any family history of PC, NOT having a PSA test at the age of 40 plus is IRRESPONSIBLE medical practice. 

I'm aged 62

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice. 

Hello Barry.If you are over 50 ask your GP for a PSA test,it should be granted.Prostate cancer in the under 50's is low.I have had a radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland) went for PSA test and found that reading was elevated,i was diagnosed with prosate cancer, but the good news was the cancer was slow growing.My PSA reading was 8.5.Normal reading should be about 2 to 3.5.A friend of mine asked his GP for a PSA test the reading came back as 5.5.He had a Prostate biopsy and was diagnosed with prostate cancer.There are some other reasons why someone might have a high PSA reading .the main one being an enlarged prostate.For peace of mind insist to your GP you want a PSA test.It will probably come back as a low reading.Derek