Advantages and disadvantages of having the PSA test

You can also discuss these with your GP or nurse practitioner.

Possible advantages

• It could reassure you if the test result is normal.
• It can help to find cancers before any symptoms develop.
• Treatment in the early stages could help you live longer and avoid the complications of a more advanced cancer (although there is no good research evidence for this).

Possible disadvantages

• You could get a normal result when there is cancer in the prostate, and be falsely reassured that all is well.
• It could lead to anxiety if your PSA level is raised, even if you don’t have cancer.
• It could lead to you having a biopsy, even if you don’t have cancer.
• If you do have cancer, the test can’t tell you if it’s likely to cause problems in the future.

Bear in mind that, if you do have an early prostate cancer|, treating it may not help you live longer and may have risks and side effects that can affect your quality of life.