The PSA test is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and also by prostate cancer cells. It’s normal to have a small amount of PSA in your blood, and the amount rises slightly as you get older and your prostate gets bigger. A raised PSA level may suggest you have a problem with your prostate, but not necessarily cancer.

You can make an appointment with your GP to talk about the about the advantages and disadvantages of the PSA blood test. The test is available to anyone with a prostate, including trans women and some non-binary people.

Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50, and your risk increases as you get older. If you're over 50 and you're worried about your risk, you might want to ask your GP about the PSA blood test.

You have a higher risk of prostate cancer if you’re Black or have a family history of prostate cancer. For that reason, we strongly recommend you speak to your GP about having a PSA blood test from the age of 45

You may also be offered a PSA test if you have symptoms of a possible prostate problem.

Some men are offered a PSA test as part of a general check-up. You should still think about the advantages and disadvantages and whether the test is right for you before agreeing to have one.

To learn more about the PSA test, follow this link.