PSA Blood Test

PSA testing is the primary screening test for prostate cancer. Another way to find prostate cancer is through a physical exam. If the results of a PSA test or physical exam indicate abnormalities, a prostate biopsy may also be performed to diagnose prostate cancer.

There is no single normal PSA level, and PSA depends on many factors.

• Generally, a PSA level of less than 4.0 ng/mL is considered normal. For dry blood spot testing methods, a normal PSA level is less than 4.4 ng/mL.
• A PSA level between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL is considered to be the “borderline range” in which risk of prostate cancer is higher.
• A PSA level higher than 10.0 ng/mL indicates a greater than 50% chance of prostate cancer.

Please be advised that a high PSA level does not always mean you have prostate cancer. Furthermore, it is also possible to have a low/normal PSA level and still have prostate cancer. Additional screening can be performed by your GP in the form of a prostate examination if you have concerns about your test result.

A PSA level within the normal range means that there are currently no indications of prostate abnormalities. It does not completely rule out prostate cancer. Always discuss the results in relation to your age, symptoms and risk profile.

Is your PSA level elevated? If so, it is important to contact your GP. They can assess the results, recommend a repeat test if necessary, and determine whether additional testing is required.

PSA can fluctuate due to factors such as age, medication or certain activities. Usually, a sharp rise in PSA indicates a problem with the prostate, such as prostatitis or another condition. Contact your GP if your PSA level changes rapidly.

PSA levels can be elevated for a variety of reasons unrelated to prostate cancer. Therefore, your doctor may request a second PSA test after some time to see if the level has decreased. Factors that can increase PSA levels include:

• Advanced age.
• Prostate enlargement or other conditions.
• Urinary tract infection.
• Strenuous exercise, especially cycling.
• Recent ejaculation.

In addition, certain medications can artificially lower PSA levels. These medications include:

• NSAIDs.
• Statins.

No, fasting is not necessary for a PSA test.

Testing guidelines vary depending on risk profile, age, and country. It is best to ask your GP how often they recommend you get screened. Doing a PSA test is always a choice and never mandatory. Example guidelines from the American Cancer Society are as follows: If no prostate cancer is found as a result of screening, the time between future screenings depends on the results of the PSA blood test:

• Men who choose to be tested who have a PSA of less than 2.5 ng/mL may only need to be retested every 2 years.
• Screening should be done yearly for men whose PSA level is 2.5 ng/mL or higher.

While PSA testing can help catch prostate cancer early, false positives and negatives are always possible. This is because some prostate cancers do not cause elevated PSA, and sometimes an individual’s PSA will be high without having cancer. Please contact your GP for further examination if you have questions about your test result. This PSA test is the same test you would receive from a GP. All Homed-IQ tests are examined by certified laboratories that also analyze materials from hospitals, universities, and GPs.

In rare cases, a sample cannot be evaluated, for example if an insufficient amount of blood was collected. In that case, Homed-IQ will contact you and provide instructions for a new sample collection.

After analysis, your blood sample is destroyed in accordance with medical guidelines. The laboratory processes only a unique test code and does not use personal data when handling the sample.