Guidance

PSA testing: advice for men without symptoms

This prostate cancer risk management programme (PCRMP) information is to help GPs advise men who ask about prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing.

• From: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
• Published: 1 January 2009
• Last updated: 12 December 2024 — See all updates

Documents

PSA testing and prostate cancer: advice for men without symptoms of prostate disease

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Any man can make an appointment with their GP to discuss having the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. The test is available to anyone with a prostate, including trans women and non-binary people.

This summary information is for GPs to give to men who do not have symptoms of prostate disease, and who proactively raise the issue of PSA testing.

It sets out the role of the PSA test in testing for prostate cancer. It gives individuals concise, clear and balanced information on the potential benefits and risks of having the test.

The document includes information about:

• the prostate
• prostate cancer
• the PSA test
• options after the PSA test

Published 1 January 2009
Last updated 12 December 2024 + show all updates

1. 12 December 2024

   Clarification that PSA tests are not exclusively for people aged 50 and over.

2. 29 March 2022

   Information sheet updated with latest evidence on prostate cancer incidence, treatments and mortality.

3. 20 January 2020

   Updated patient leaflet.

4. 29 March 2016

   The summary information sheet for asymptomatic men aged 50 and over is being updated as part of the publication of the revised Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP) information in March 2016

5. 1 January 2009

   First published.