• Topic
• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Finding information about the PSA test >> Finding information about the PSA test

Finding information about the PSA test

• Clip
• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 30 >> The death of a friend, local radio, and articles in magazines and newspapers also influenced him to have the PSA test.

No urinary symptoms, but he asked for a PSA test because a friend had prostate cancer and because of media coverage. PSA found to be slightly raised. In 2004, after a biopsy, cancer was diagnosed, and treated with hormones and then brachytherapy.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 10 >> He found the information about the PSA test useful, particularly a booklet from Cancerbackup.

He has not had any urinary symptoms. Has looked at information about the PSA test and has decided that he would only have a test if he developed symptoms.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 16 >> His GP gave him detailed information which helped him decide not to have the PSA test

He has not had urinary symptoms, but asked his GP for a PSA test when two friends developed prostate cancer. He decided not to have the test (at the moment), having heard that it is not reliable, and that the biopsy can be painful.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 71-80 >> Interview 25 >> When he got his PSA result his GP reassured him that everything was alright but he wanted more information.

He has had urinary symptoms (frequency) since 2003. His GP suggested regular PSA tests. In 2005 the PSA result was 6.9ng/ml. His GP reassured him that there was no need for further action. He has not needed treatment for symptoms.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 31 >> He did not remember receiving much information about the PSA test. His GP said it was 'crucial' that he had one.

He had urinary symptoms. The GP found he had an 'enlarged' prostate, and did a PSA test, which was 'raised'. He was referred to the hospital, where he had a biopsy, which was negative. Symptoms treated with Finasteride and Flomax.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 71-80 >> Interview 38 >> He consulted his GP with symptoms. The GP did a PSA test without explaining much about it.

He had mild urinary symptoms, and backache. Knowing that bone pain can be due to the spread of prostate cancer he asked his GP for a PSA test. This was "raised", but when repeated six months later was lower, so he was reassured.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 13 >> He received information about the PSA test when he took part in a university research study.

Has decided not to have a PSA test, mainly because he has no urinary symptoms, and because there is so much uncertainty about the PSA test and the treatments for prostate cancer, and because treatments have serious side-effects.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He wished he had talked to a trained counsellor before he had the PSA test.

Worried about raised PSA. Had a biopsy but no diagnosis of cancer.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 40 >> Says the PSA test is a normal blood test but is concerned about possible false positive results.

Did not have any symptoms, but having read articles about prostate cancer and the PSA test in the national press he decided to ask his GP for the test. The result was 'normal'.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 30 >> The doctor at the hospital told him not to ride a bicycle just before his PSA test.

No urinary symptoms, but he asked for a PSA test because a friend had prostate cancer and because of media coverage. PSA found to be slightly raised. In 2004, after a biopsy, cancer was diagnosed, and treated with hormones and then brachytherapy.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 40-50 >> Interview 17 >> The GP told him to avoid sex and vigorous exercise before his PSA test.

In 2003 had urinary symptoms for about three months, and so asked for a PSA test, which was found to be slightly raised. Referred to a specialist, who diagnosed a urinary infection. This was treated and the PSA returned to normal.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 40-50 >> Interview 12 >> If symptoms developed he would ask his GP for a PSA test.

No urinary symptoms. Found out about the PSA test via a university research study. Has looked carefully at detailed information about the test and would have a test if it were offered.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 11 >> The information he received convinced him that if he developed symptoms he would ask his GP for a PSA test.

No urinary symptoms. Has seen information about the PSA test and would have a test if it were offered.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 05 >> He would have a PSA test if it were offered because he thought if he turned it down he might later regret his decision.

Has never had urinary symptoms and has not had a PSA test. Has read about the PSA test and would have a test if it were offered

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 71-80 >> Interview 25 >> Quotes information from a leaflet his GP gave him, called 'PSA testing for prostate cancer'. He found it useful.

He has had urinary symptoms (frequency) since 2003. His GP suggested regular PSA tests. In 2005 the PSA result was 6.9ng/ml. His GP reassured him that there was no need for further action. He has not needed treatment for symptoms.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 22 >> His local radio station provides information about prostate cancer and puts people in touch with others who can answer questions.

Had repeated urinary infections. He suspected this was due to an enlarged prostate, so asked for a PSA test, but the GP refused until he had an appointment with a consultant. In 2005 PSA was "normal" for his age, 4.5 ng/ml. Symptoms treated with antibiotics and Flomax.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 22 >> Suggests that information about the PSA test found on the internet may be hard to understand so it may help to discuss it with a male nurse.

Had repeated urinary infections. He suspected this was due to an enlarged prostate, so asked for a PSA test, but the GP refused until he had an appointment with a consultant. In 2005 PSA was "normal" for his age, 4.5 ng/ml. Symptoms treated with antibiotics and Flomax.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 27 >> His research on the internet revealed that benign enlargement of the prostate is more common than prostate cancer.

He had mild urinary symptoms. GP suggested a PSA test [4.8ng/mL]. A consultant performed a biopsy, and found some "suspicious cells", so performed another biopsy, which led to side effects. No cancer diagnosed. Symptoms improved with saw palmetto.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He had the PSA test primarily to humour his urologist. The result left him feeling extremely anxious.

Worried about raised PSA. Had a biopsy but no diagnosis of cancer.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 28 >> He searched internet sites from all over the world. One led him to the Prostate Cancer Charity, which had a very good helpline.

No urinary symptoms, but felt tired. His GP suggested a PSA test. The PSA was raised, so he was referred to a consultant, who performed a biopsy. Prostate cancer was diagnosed, and treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy in 2005.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 18 >> His GP discussed the advantages and disadvantages of having a PSA test. He decided not to have one now.

Mild urinary symptoms led to a consultation with his GP. Having received information and discussed the situation he decided not to have a PSA test for the moment, mainly because of the uncertainty surrounding the PSA test; that it can not reliably diagnose prostate cancer.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 40-50 >> Interview 09 >> He asked for a PSA test. He had no symptoms but was tested without getting written information or advice.

He became worried about prostate cancer when his father-in-law developed the disease. In January 2005 he asked his GP for a PSA test, and is still waiting for the results.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> Suggests that having a PSA test requires very informed consent, in the same way that patients have to give informed consent to an HIV test.

Worried about raised PSA. Had a biopsy but no diagnosis of cancer.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 41 >> He knows that treatment for prostate cancer isn't 'foolproof' and that it may be 'quite invasive'.

Has not had urinary symptoms and does not have a family history of prostate cancer. As a medical doctor he has had good access to information about the PSA test and has decided not to have one.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 61-70 >> Interview 06 >> He had a PSA test because he had urinary symptoms but his doctor didn't explain exactly what the test might indicate.

In 2004, developed frequency, so had a PSA test which was "on the limit". In March 2005, had difficulty passing urine. Had another PSA test, and has not yet had the results.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 71-80 >> Interview 36 >> He started to pass blood in his urine so went to the doctor and had a PSA test.

Ten years ago had urinary symptoms and had TURP operation for enlarged prostate. In 2002 he found blood in his urine. His PSA was "raised" so he had a biopsy, and prostate cancer was diagnosed. This has been treated with hormones.

• Cancer >> The PSA test for prostate cancer >> Age 51-60 >> Interview 28 >> After looking for information about treatment options he decided to opt for radiotherapy.

No urinary symptoms, but felt tired. His GP suggested a PSA test. The PSA was raised, so he was referred to a consultant, who performed a biopsy. Prostate cancer was diagnosed, and treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy in 2005.