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Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK. Early detection is crucial, as survival rates approach 100% when the disease is caught early but can drop to 50% if diagnosed late. At The Maxwell Practice, we offer advanced screening options to help assess your risk and guide appropriate next steps
What is the screening process?
PSA Test
The initial step in prostate cancer screening is the PSA test. This is a blood test that measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other conditions.
If your PSA level is in the normal range for your age, the likelihood of having prostate cancer is very low, and no further action is typically necessary. If your PSA test result is elevated, further investigations may be recommended.
Further investigations
There are several options to investigate further, depending on your individual risk factors, symptoms, and preferences. These include:
Repeat PSA Test – Sometimes, PSA levels can be temporarily elevated due to factors like infection, recent ejaculation, or even cycling. Repeating the test after a short interval can help confirm if the elevation is persistent.
Examination (DRE) – A doctor manually examines the prostate to feel for any abnormalities such as lumps or hard areas.
EpiSwitch® PSE – This is a more advanced blood test that can be performed after a PSA test. It combines PSA levels with epigenetic biomarkers to provide a more accurate assessment of prostate cancer risk. It is 94% accurate versus the PSA test alone which is only around 50% accurate. The main benefit of this revolutionary test is that it is quick and non-invasive – it’s just a blood test with the results back in 7 days, and it can save you having an unnecessary biopsy if the result is reassuring.
MRI Scan – A multi-parametric MRI provides detailed images of the prostate and can help identify suspicious areas that might require a biopsy.
Referral
If further investigations suggest you are at risk of prostate cancer, you would be referred to a urologist. You are likely to require an MRI, and then a biopsy may be recommended to take small samples of prostate tissue for laboratory analysis to confirm your diagnosis.
EpiSwitch® PSE Test
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The EpiSwitch® PSE is an advanced blood test with a remarkable accuracy of 94% in detecting prostate cancer.
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It uses a small sample of blood to measure 5 vital epigenetic changes in your immune cells, and combines these with your PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen PSA Test) score to boost accuracy.
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It utilises a PSA score and therefore must be performed after a PSA test.
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By accurately identifying men at low risk, the EpiSwitch® PSE test helps avoid unnecessary biopsies, which can be invasive and carry risks.
£900
Pricing & Booking
To discuss your prostate health or concerns with a doctor, please book a GP consultation. If you decide to have any screening tests, these can be taken during your appointment.
If you simply want to book a screening test, and do not require a doctor consultation, you can book a blood test appointment. The cost of the screening test will be payable at your appointment.
GP consultation
£150
Blood test or procedure appointment
£75
PSA
£90
EpiSwitch PSE
£900
To book, complete the form below or call us on 01491 313131.