Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. Around 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime, more than 64,000 men receive a diagnosis every year, and sadly over 12,000 men die from the disease annually (Prostate Cancer UK).
Despite these numbers, outcomes can be very positive, particularly when the disease is found early. The challenge is that prostate cancer often develops with no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms appear, it may be more advanced. Finding changes early gives you more options and can make treatment more effective.
There is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. In 2026 the Government accepted the UK National Screening Committee's recommendation for screening only in a small, targeted group (men with a BRCA2 gene variant), alongside the major TRANSFORM research trial, which is now being expanded to invite Black men.
For most men, that means the NHS will not routinely invite you for a test. It is up to you to understand your own risk and decide, with a clinician, whether testing is right for you.
A PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is a simple blood test that measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland, in your blood.
On its own, it does not diagnose prostate cancer, but it can act as an early signal that something may need a closer look. Higher PSA levels can be linked to prostate cancer, but they are also commonly caused by non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate, a urine infection or recent vigorous exercise. A single raised result does not mean you have cancer.
If your level is higher than expected, your doctor may recommend repeating the test, and if needed an MRI scan of the prostate first, which helps decide whether any further investigation is necessary. Many men with a raised PSA turn out not to have cancer.
Any man who wants to take a proactive approach to his health, but particularly those who are over 50, or who have a family history of prostate cancer.
Risk is higher for Black men, who are around twice as likely to develop prostate cancer - roughly 1 in 4 will be diagnosed in their lifetime. If this applies to you, it is worth considering testing from age 45.
How often to test depends on your age, risk factors and previous results. Many men choose to discuss PSA testing with a GP from age 50,or from around 45 if they are at higher risk, and your doctor can advise whether testing every one to two years is right for you.
PSA testing is a personal choice, and it is worth knowing the trade-offs. The test is not perfect: it can suggest a problem when there is none (causing worry and further tests), and it can also pick up slow-growing cancers that may never have caused you harm but which can lead to treatment with its own side effects. For most men this is a balanced decision rather than an automatic yes, which is exactly why talking it through matters.
We offer testing alongside a full discussion of your risk and results, with quick access and a clear pathway if anything needs following up.
Does the test hurt? No. It is a standard blood test taken from your arm and takes only a couple of minutes.
How should I prepare? PSA can be temporarily raised by vigorous exercise, ejaculation in the previous 48 hours, or a recent urine infection. It is best to avoid heavy exercise and ejaculation for a day or two beforehand, and to mention any urinary symptoms so your result can be interpreted properly.
How long do results take? Usually a few days. We will talk you through what your result means and any next steps.
What counts as a normal PSA level? There is no single cut-off. What is considered normal rises with age, so results are always interpreted in the context of your age, symptoms and any previous readings rather than against one fixed number.
Can a PSA test miss cancer, or flag a problem when there isn't one? Yes, both can happen. A normal result does not completely rule cancer out, and a raised result often turns out not to be cancer. That is why the test is one piece of the picture rather than a definitive answer.
I'm under 50 - should I bother? For most men under 50 the risk is low, so routine testing is not usually recommended. The exceptions are men with a family history of prostate cancer and Black men, who may wish to consider testing from around 45. If you are unsure, it is worth a conversation.
How often should I be tested? That depends on your age, risk and previous results. For many men, every one to two years is reasonable, but your clinician can advise what makes sense for you.
Want to talk it through? Book a PSA test and prostate check in Oxted or Cobham.
· Prostate Cancer UK - Facts and figures (incidence, mortality, lifetime risk, Black men's risk; last updated January 2026): https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/risk-and-symptoms/about-prostate-cancer/facts-and-figures
· Prostate Cancer UK - PSA blood test (what the test is, interpreting results): https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/prostate-tests/psa-blood-test
· Prostate Cancer UK - Prostate cancer screening: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/prostate-tests/prostate-cancer-screening
· NHS - PSA test (preparation, what raised levels can mean): https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/psa-test/
· GOV.UK -Major expansion of research and treatment for prostate cancer (Government response and TRANSFORM expansion, 2 June 2026): https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-expansion-of-research-and-treatment-for-prostate-cancer
· UK National Screening Committee - Minutes of the March 2026 meeting (recommendation against population screening; targeted screening conclusion): https://nationalscreening.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/28/minutes-published-of-uk-nsc-march-2026-meeting/
· Prostate Cancer UK - TRANSFORM trial (screening research and expansion to Black men): https://prostatecanceruk.org/research/transform-trial
· Cancer Research UK - Prostate cancer statistics: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/prostate-cancer
Statistics current as of the dates shown. Figures are updated periodically by the source organisations, so please check the latest version before republishing.
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