SELFCheck Prostate Health (PSA) Test

Buy SELFCheck Prostate Health Online in the UK

Changes in PSA levels are frequent in men as they age and can be caused by a variety of causes such as a urinary infection, an enlarged prostate, or prostate cancer.

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland that is naturally secreted at low quantities into the bloodstream. A high PSA level may indicate prostate cancer, but it is more likely to indicate some condition other than cancer, such as an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, or a urinary infection.

In the United Kingdom, men over the age of 50 can ask their doctor for a PSA test. PSA screening can be contentious because around 3 in 4 men with an elevated PSA level will not have cancer and approximately 1 in 7 men with a normal PSA level will have prostate cancer.

Before electing to take a PSA test, weigh the benefits and drawbacks carefully.

Pros:

• If the test result is normal, it may reassure you.
• It can detect early indications of cancer, which means you can be treated sooner.
• PSA testing may lessen your risk of dying if you do have cancer.

Cons:

• It has the potential to overlook cancer and create false reassurance.
• It may cause unneeded anxiety and medical examinations if there is no cancer
• It is unable to distinguish between slow-growing and fast-growing tumours.
• Finding a slow-growing malignancy that may never develop any complications may cause you concern.

The SELFCHECK Prostate Health Test is a simple and reliable 10-minute test that detects elevated PSA levels in a finger-prick blood sample. If you have a positive result, consult your doctor, who can assess your symptoms and arrange for additional testing to determine why your PSA level is elevated.

An independent published evaluation of the fast test equipment at the Department of Urology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany (Berg et al, 1999) found that sensitivity was 91% and specificity was 84% with a threshold level of 4ng/ml of PSA. Deviations were seen in the cut off range of 3 to 5 ng/ml. "The qualitative PSA one-step test presented here demonstrates good reproducibility," the scientists conclude. It is simple to use and can be performed by the patient. The test provides a straightforward, viable tool for prostate cancer early detection programmes."

The SELFCheck Prostate Health Test is a screening test that provides a yes/no answer as to whether your PSA levels are greater than normal. It is not designed to be used for PSA monitoring.