How to get checked

There is not usually an application for a single universal prostate cancer test. The first step is normally to contact a primary-care doctor, GP, clinic or other appropriate healthcare professional and explain whether you have symptoms, are concerned about your risk, or want to discuss screening.

Be specific about any changes you have noticed, including when they began and whether they are becoming more frequent or severe. Possible symptoms include difficulty starting urination, a weak or interrupted urine flow, needing to urinate more often or urgently, blood in urine or semen, erectile difficulties and, particularly with advanced disease, unexplained weight loss or back pain.

The NHS prostate cancer symptoms guide stresses that these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate.

What happens next?

Depending on your country, symptoms and risk factors, your healthcare professional may discuss:

• Your symptoms and medical history
• Prostate cancer in your family
• A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
• A physical examination
• Referral to a urologist or specialist
• Further investigation if an initial test is abnormal

A PSA test measures prostate-specific antigen in your blood. It cannot by itself confirm whether you have cancer because PSA can also rise for non-cancerous reasons. The US National Cancer Institute PSA guide explains these limitations.

Country-specific routes

In the UK, start with your GP. The NHS says you can discuss a PSA test even without symptoms, although whether testing is appropriate should be considered alongside your individual risk and the benefits and limitations of testing.

In the US, screening is generally a shared decision rather than an automatic test. The CDC screening guidance recommends discussing potential benefits and harms with your doctor.

Elsewhere, contact your national health service, family doctor or local healthcare provider because screening policies, referral procedures and costs vary. If you have symptoms rather than simply seeking routine screening, make that clear when requesting an appointment.