Prostate examination

Went to see my GP this afternoon having had lower back pain for nearly 3 weeks.  No examination was done, never even got sent for PSA test.   Lost my brother to prostate cancer 2011, my younger sister has cancer and my mother died of leukaemia.

Is it possible to get a PSA test from my practice nurse instead

  • Hello and thanks for your enquiry,

    Unfortunately, a practice nurse cannot do this. It has to be a medically trained doctor. Back pain is very common in the general population, and GP's will assess this first as a muscle skeletal issue. Usually rest and painkillers will help. Sometimes a physiotherapy referral is suggested. If back pain is persistent then a GP may request xray or a MRI scan to assess the spine.

    If you are concerned about your prostate cancer risk, then do discuss it further with a doctor. You can ask to see another GP at the surgery if you wish. You may wish to read about the PSA test on the website of Prostate Cancer UK

    I hope that this helps,

    Best wishes,