Total Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), near Cardiff

£81 all inclusive. That covers the blood draw, the Total PSA measurement, and a plain-English report with the laboratory reference range emailed to you, usually the next day. A £50 deposit secures your appointment and comes off the total.

PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a protein made by the prostate gland, and a small amount is normally found in the blood. Measuring it can help when you and a doctor are assessing prostate health, and it is used to monitor known prostate conditions and their treatment. It is one input among several, not a diagnosis in itself.

Preparation genuinely matters for PSA. In the roughly 48 hours before your test, avoid ejaculation and avoid vigorous exercise, especially cycling, as these can raise the level. Do not have the test during or soon after a urine infection, and if you have recently had a prostate examination or procedure, wait as advised. Mention any prostate medication when you book. These simple steps make the result far more reliable.

No. PSA is a useful signal but not a definitive test. A raised PSA most often has a benign cause, such as an enlarged prostate or an infection, while some prostate cancers do not raise PSA much at all. That is why a result is interpreted by a doctor alongside your age and history, and why a raised result usually leads to a repeat test and assessment rather than an immediate conclusion.

Plenty of common things: an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), prostatitis or a urine infection, recent ejaculation, vigorous exercise or cycling, a recent prostate examination, a catheter or a recent urological procedure. PSA also rises naturally with age. This is why context and preparation are so important.

It can. Some medicines used for an enlarged prostate (finasteride and dutasteride) lower PSA, roughly halving it, which can mask a rise if it is not taken into account. Always tell us and your doctor about any prostate medication so your result is interpreted correctly.

Try not to panic — most raised PSA results are not cancer. The right next step is to have it reviewed by a doctor, who will consider your age, symptoms and history, and will often arrange a repeat test and an examination, and sometimes further tests such as a scan. You can book a private GP appointment with us, or take your report to your own GP.

Not completely. A normal PSA lowers the likelihood but does not exclude prostate cancer, as some cancers produce little PSA. If you have symptoms or a strong family history, keep discussing it with a doctor regardless of a normal result.

No. This is a self-refer test. Book online or call 029 2199 9300. Because PSA needs careful interpretation, we do recommend discussing the result with a doctor.

Next day in most cases, usually within 24 hours. Your report shows your Total PSA value against the laboratory reference range. We will confirm timing when you book.

At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, CF64 2AD) or our Cowbridge clinic (10 High Street, CF71 7AG). Both are a short drive from Cardiff with easy parking.

Yes. Our consultant radiologists can take the sample under real-time ultrasound, the only such service in South Wales. Mention it when you book so we can allow time.

Yes, and for this test we recommend it. You can book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will interpret the result with you and plan any next steps.