Guidance

Prostate specific antigen testing: summary guidance for GPs

This information aims to support GPs to give clear and balanced advice to men without symptoms of prostate disease who ask about PSA testing.

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

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Advising men without symptoms of prostate disease who ask about the PSA test

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This prostate cancer risk management programme (PCRMP) document helps GPs give clear and balanced information to men without symptoms of prostate disease who ask about prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing.

The PSA test is available to men who request it, including trans women and non-binary people.

GPs should not proactively raise the issue of PSA testing with asymptomatic individuals. Prostate cancer is common and may not cause symptoms or shorten life.

GPs should follow NICE guideline [NG12] Suspected cancer: recognition and referral when managing men who have symptoms of prostate disease.

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

1. 12 December 2024

   Clarification that PSA tests are not exclusively available only to men aged 50 and over.

2. 13 May 2022

   Guidance updated to align with latest evidence, NICE guidance and updated PCRMP information for asymptomatic men aged 50 and over.

3. 20 January 2020

   Updated guidance.

4. 29 March 2016

   This summary information sheet for GPs is updated as part of the revised prostate cancer risk management programme materials published in March 2016

5. 1 January 2009

   First published.