PSA Prostate Home Test

Stimulation or irritation of the prostate can increase the levels of PSA produced. Examples include:

• Urinary infection
• Prostate cancer
• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate, often caused by infection)
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (the prostate enlarges with age)
• Vigorous exercise (especially cycling)
• Prostate biopsies
• Insertion of a urinary catheter
• Ejaculation, anal sex or prostate stimulation
• Some medications can decrease PSA levels, and give a lower result

Prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer for men and PSA testing is a complex issue.

PSA levels will vary between men and with age, so it can be difficult to determine exactly what a ‘normal’ level is.

PSA levels are not sensitive or specific enough to be used as a good screening test for prostate cancer. This essentially means that all men with high PSA levels do not have prostate cancer, and men with low PSA levels could still have prostate cancer.

However, in general, the higher the PSA level, the more likely it is that there is cancer in the prostate. If the PSA is more than 10 the chance of having prostate cancer is over 50%.

PSA does not differentiate between slow-growing cancers which do not always require invasive treatment and rapidly invasive cancers that need to be treated more aggressively.

Measurement of serial PSA levels as a monitoring rather than a diagnostic test may be useful to identify any changes that require medical attention, especially if you have risk factors for prostate cancer.

If you have concerns about getting this test or would like more information, please speak to one of our GPs.

We are not sure what causes prostate cancer, but there are some things that increase your risk of developing this type of cancer:

• Increasing age
• Obesity
• Black ethnic origin

Many men will develop prostate symptoms as they get older. You should speak with a GP if you are concerned, regardless of your age.

Some common symptoms to look out for:

• Sudden or increased need to urinate (especially at night)
• Feeling as though your bladder is not fully emptied (after urination)
• Difficulty or pain starting or stopping urination
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Decreased libido (sex drive)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Pelvic, thigh, or back discomfort
• Unexplained weight loss

We will advise that you make an appointment with your local GP or for a video consultation with a Webdoctor.ie GP to discuss this further and make an individual plan appropriate to your situation.

To protect your privacy, we will share your test results with you via your secure Webdoctor.ie Online Patient Portal. This is completely confidential and you can review your results at a time and place that suits you.

To view your results, simply log into your personal account using the “Login” button at the top of this page. Once you have entered your details, you will find your results and details of your previous treatments.

It takes An Post up to 3 business days to deliver your home test to our partner lab for analysis. Once the lab receives the sample, it can take up to 5 business days to process the results and send them back to our doctors for review. We usually send the results to your secure patient portal the same day we receive them.