The PSA test: what it can and cannot tell you
Short answer: a PSA test measures a protein made by the prostate. A raised result does not mean you have cancer, and a normal result does not completely rule it out. It is a useful piece of information, best discussed with a clinician, because the test has benefits and downsides.
Why there is no national screening programme
The UK has no routine PSA screening programme, because the test can both miss cancers and find slow-growing ones that would never have caused harm. Men aged 50 and over can ask their GP for a PSA test after a discussion of the pros and cons, and men at higher risk, such as Black men or men with a family history of prostate cancer, can ask from an earlier age.
What can raise PSA without cancer
An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which is very common with age
A urinary tract or prostate infection
Ejaculation in the last 48 hours
Vigorous exercise, especially cycling, in the last 48 hours
A recent catheter, prostate examination or procedure
How to prepare
Avoid ejaculation and cycling for 48 hours beforehand, and wait about six weeks after a urinary infection. Tell the clinician if you take medicines for the prostate, such as finasteride, because they lower PSA.
Which PSA test?
Total PSA: the standard test. See total PSA.
Free PSA: the proportion not bound to proteins, which can help interpret a borderline total PSA. See free PSA.
Prostate profile: adds other markers. See the prostate profile.
What happens after a raised result
A clinician will usually repeat the test and consider your age, symptoms and examination. Further steps, such as an MRI scan, are decided from there. A raised PSA is a reason to investigate, not a diagnosis.
When to see your GP
Speak to your GP about difficulty passing urine, a weak flow, needing to pass urine more often at night, or blood in your urine or semen, whether or not you have had a PSA test.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal PSA level?
It depends on your age, and PSA normally rises as you get older. Use the age-specific range on your report and ask a clinician to explain it.
Do I need to fast?
No.
Should I have a PSA test?
That is a personal decision. It is worth talking it through with a clinician who can weigh your age, family history and how you feel about possible findings.
Related reading
Clinically reviewed by Zak Toon, ACP, on 15 October 2026.
This article is general information based on UK guidance from NHS and NICE. It is not personal medical advice. If you are worried about your health or have symptoms, speak to your GP or call 111.
