Prostate Health (PSA)

The PSA test measures the levels of this important protein produced by the prostate gland which is a key marker for the risk of prostate cancer.

What is this product

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test measures the levels of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland, which is a key marker for the risk of prostate cancer.

Requirments

This test measures Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in your blood. The results should be discussed with a doctor because a negative test does not mean that you don’t have a prostate condition (including cancer), and a positive test does not mean that you do have a prostate condition (including cancer). You should speak to your doctor immediately if you have any relevant symptoms such as: back pain, erectile dysfunction, difficulty starting urinating, poor or intermittent urine flow, dribbling after urinating, urinating more at night, blood in your urine or semen and/or pain during urination or erection. PSA levels can be affected by many factors. To improve the validity and accuracy of your test we recommend the following: • Avoid ejaculation within 48 hours before the sample collection. • Avoid a rectal exam (where the doctor inserts a finger in your anus to check your prostate) from your doctor within 2 weeks prior to sample collection. • If a prostate biopsy has been taken, wait 6 weeks before taking your PSA test. • Exercise should be avoided at least 48 hours prior to taking the sample. Please consult your doctor before taking this test if you are taking any of the following: • Biotin, chemotherapy drugs, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, tamoxifen, mitomucin, carboplatin, etoposide, flutamide, taxol, doxorubicin or drugs that affect the prostate directly such as finasteride or tamsulosin.

Fasting required

No fasting required