What is psa

Would my local hospital do an MRI scan before deciding whether to do a biopsy? If I was diagnosed with slow-growing prostate cancer that might never cause any problems, would I still want to have treatment, even though it could cause side effects?

Or would I be comfortable having my cancer monitored instead? Worried about going to the GP? He told me the decision was mine and suggested I think it over, talk to my partner, and come back if I wanted one. If they still say no, try speaking to another GP or practice nurse. If they also say no, speak to the practice manager at your GP surgery.

Your GP surgery should have information about its complaints procedure. You can follow this procedure, or write to the GP or practice manager explaining your complaint. The NHS website has more information. In Scotland : you can complain to your local health board. The Patient Advice and Support Service can provide information, advice and support. Get more information from NHS Inform. In Wales : you can complain to your local health board. Your local Community Health Council can help with this.

Health in Wales has more information. The Patient and Client Council can provide advice and support. Get more information from nidirect. What is a baseline PSA test? There is currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. List of references. Urol Clin North Am.

The Lancet. January Obesity and Prostate Cancer: Weighing the Evidence. Eur Urol. Clin Cancer Res. Prostatitis and its Management. Eur Urol Suppl. Published Accessed January 4, Board of Community Health Councils.

NHS Complaints procedure - how we can help. Accessed July 29, Cancer Research UK. Cancer incidence for common cancers Accessed December 12, Prostate cancer incidence statistics: by age Prostate cancer incidence statistics: Lifetime risk of prostate cancer Accessed July 6, Cao Y, Ma J.

Cancer Prev Res Phila Pa. Acute Bacterial Prostatitis: Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. Associations of lower urinary tract symptoms with prostate-specific antigen levels, and screen-detected localized and advanced prostate cancer: a case-control study nested within the UK population-based ProtecT Prostate testing for cancer and Treatment study.

BJU Int. Genetic markers a landscape in prostate cancer. Mutat Res Mutat Res. Preoperative PSA velocity and the risk of death from prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. N Engl J Med. Pretreatment PSA velocity and risk of death from prostate cancer following external beam radiation therapy. Body mass index and incidence of localized and advanced prostate cancer--a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Ann Oncol. September The genetic epidemiology of prostate cancer and its clinical implications. Nat Rev Urol. Clin Genitourin Cancer. Am J Roentgenol. Prostate cancer incidence in orchidectomised male-to-female transsexual persons treated with oestrogens. Prospective study on metabolic factors and risk of prostate cancer: Metabolic Factors and Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer screening with prostate-specific antigen PSA test: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Jones AL, Chinegwundoh F. Update on prostate cancer in black men within the UK. March Ethnic differences in prostate cancer. Br J Cancer. False-positive screening results in the European randomized study of screening for prostate cancer. Eur J Cancer. Erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms: a consensus on the importance of co-diagnosis. Int J Clin Pract. The effects of prostatic manipulation on prostate-specific antigen levels. J Clin Oncol. Some of it leaks into your blood, but how much depends on your age and the health of your prostate.

There's currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK because the PSA test is not always accurate. Before deciding to have the PSA test, you may want to talk to a GP and practice nurse, as well as your partner or a friend or family member.

A raised PSA level in your blood may be a sign of prostate cancer, but it can also be a sign of another condition that's not cancer, such as:. About 3 in 4 men with a raised PSA level will not have cancer. A GP may also perform a digital rectal examination DRE to feel for any changes to your prostate gland. Biopsies miss 1 in 5 prostate cancers and can sometimes cause complications. The most common are bleeding and infections. Side effects of some treatments can include problems with erections, loss of fertility and incontinence.

Ask your doctor if you should avoid ejaculation for a few days before a PSA test. Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung and colon cancer , according to the American Cancer Society. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Prostate Cancer. Reviewed: September 6, Medically Reviewed.