PSA test
Whakamātaunga PSA
The prostate gland produces a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA). PSA levels can be measured using a blood test.
There is no formal screening programme for prostate cancer in New Zealand. This is because we do not have a test that is accurate enough to make screening reliable. But the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test can be used with other tests and investigations to help with diagnosing prostate cancer.
You can get a raised PSA level if you have prostate cancer. But there are several other reasons for it being high. These include an enlarged prostate, inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), exercise and sex.
Rarely, you can have prostate cancer with a normal PSA level.
It's important to discuss the pros and cons of having a PSA test with your general practice team.before having it done. A positive test could lead to further potentially harmful tests, such as a prostate biopsy. Equally, it could help to pick up the disease early.
The website Kupe has information about getting checked for prostate cancer and a questionnaire to help you decide if a check is right for you.
It's often useful to have your PSA level repeated to check for changes over time.
On the next page: Prostate biopsy
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.
Sources
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public
British Association of Urological Surgeons – Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate gland, retrieved October 2017.
Cancer Research UK Primary Care Education Research Group – PSA testing for prostate cancer (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/856976/
PSA_testing_for_prostate_cancer_information_for_well_men.pdf). Retrieved April 2016.
Cancer Society – Prostate cancer. Retrieved March 2022.
Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis, retrieved October 2017.
Kupe – Retrieved March 2022.
NHS – Prostatitis. Retrieved January 2019.
NHS – Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), retrieved September, 2017.
Patient.info – Prostate Gland Enlargement. Retrieved April 2016.
Patient.info – Prostatitis. Retrieved January 2019.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. Retrieved March 2022.
Southern Cross – Enlarged prostate - benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Retrieved April 2016.
Urology Unit, Canterbury DHB. What happens after a prostate biopsy. Authorised by: Nurse Manager, Urology Unit. July 2016. Ref 237713.
WebMD – What is the prostate? (http://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/what-is-the-prostate#1). Retrieved April 2016.
Image and embedded video sources
Blood being taken image from Shutterstock (image ID 510475060). April 2018.
Illustration of an enlarged prostate (image ID 163615613). October 2023.
Male reproductive system image from Shutterstock (image ID 127210979). November 2015.
Man in countryside image from Shutterstock (image ID 54026611). August 2018.
Microscope analysis image from Shutterstock (image ID 606379304). April 2018.
Prostate surgery image from Shutterstock (image ID 167475845). April 2018.
Prostatitis video from DrER.tv on YouTube.
Tired man image from Shutterstock (image ID 284497310). December 2015.
Page reference: 223792
Review key: HIPRH-45800
