At Thirsk Doctors Surgery, we offer the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, a blood test used to help detect prostate cancer.
We understand that there has been a lot of media coverage recently regarding PSA testing, and many patients have expressed concerns or anxiety about this. Please note that we do not routinely perform PSA tests unless specifically requested by a GP following a consultation. If you wish to request a PSA test, please arrange a consultation with your GP.
It is important to understand that the PSA test is not perfect. It may miss some cancers, detect cancers that would not cause harm, or show a raised PSA level without the presence of prostate cancer. For these reasons, we encourage you to carefully review the information in the PSA Test Information Leaflet, which provides balanced details to help you decide whether or not to proceed with the test.
There is no national NHS PSA screening program, and PSA tests should only be requested after a consultation with a GP. During this consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss any relevant family history, risk factors, and symptoms you may have. The GP will also explain the potential benefits and limitations of the test, and may recommend an examination as part of the process.
For further information, we recommend visiting Prostate Cancer UK’s website or reviewing the patient information sheet provided.
