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Prostate Screening Test Advice Please

iwhite3
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My uncle has prostate cancer but it is progressing very slowly and not causing him issues.

I want to get myself screened as I am now over 50.

I read online (inc NHS) that the PSA test isnt that reliable with false positives, etc.

I am trying to compare the PSA to the test offered by 'icletest' which is a screening test which looks for blood in urine. Website wording as follows:

IcleTest is designed to pick up invisible traces of blood in your urine. The test is based on the pseudo-peroxidase activity of the haem moiety of haemoglobin and myoglobin in blood. The chromogen on the test strip (yellow part) is oxidized by a hydroperoxide in the presence of haem and changes colour from Yellow to Green/Blue.

Can anyone advise on the suitability of this test versus the PSA test?

Thanks.

  • Hello and thank you for posting.

    I am afraid I am not going to be able to advise on the suitability of this test compared to a PSA. But I am aware that if you are concerned and/or have any symptoms it is best to talk this all through with your GP.

    Having blood in your urine indicates several possible medical conditions, for example infection or kidney disease and is not specific for only the prostate. Whereas the PSA test looks for the prostate specific antigen only. This is one of the reasons why this icletest test is not used within the NHS. The PSA test does have limitations, as you have read, but it is currently still the most reliable test we have. There is not currently a single blood test to diagnose cancer, so any abnormal blood readings would still have to be investigated further with imaging and biopsies.

    Take care iwhite and I would also recommend you look at this risk checker on the prostate cancer UK website which may be useful.

    Sarah.

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