Simple blood test that looks for elevated levels of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in men Why is this test important?

PSA is a substance made by the prostate gland, which naturally leaks into the bloodstream.

A raised PSA level can be due to conditions such as enlargement of the prostate gland, prostatitis or urinary infection.

It can also be an early indicator of prostate cancer Each year, around 32,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK.

In Ireland, prostate cancer is the leading type of cancer, with 80% diagnosed individuals being over the age of 65 (source: Cancer Research) Prostate cancer is rare in men below 50 years of age and the average age of diagnosis is 75 years.

This test can provide indication of a pre-clinical condition before any symptoms develop Always consult your doctor for further tests and diagnosis.

Do not make any medical decisions without consulting a doctor first