practicalities of the PSA test
Last edited 07/2020 and last reviewed 11/2022
- PSA is stable in whole blood for up to 16 hours at room temperature - therefore the specimen should reach the laboratory and be separated within this time frame
- before having a PSA test men should NOT have:
- an active urinary infection (PSA may be raised for many months)
- ejaculated in the previous 48 hours
- exercised vigorously in the previous 48 hours
- or had a prostate biopsy in the previous 6 weeks
- had a DRE within the previous week (1)
- also has been stated that checking a PSA should be avoided for one week if either a man has been the receptive partner in anal sex or had his prostate gland stimulated (2)
- 2 weeks after flu-like symptoms (3)
Reference:
- (1) Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme Information for primary care; PSA testing in asymptomatic men. Evidence document. NHS Cancer Screening Programmes, 2010
- (2)Prostate Cancer UK - Prostate Cancer Tests and Treatments - Guide of Gay and Bisexual men (Accessed 15/7/2020)
- (3) Rees J et al. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a consensus guideline BJU Int. 2015. Oct;116(4):509-25