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PSA testing in general practice

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 6, pages 154–158 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

A questionnaire was sent to 400 general practitioners (GPs), concerning prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. Regarding the indications for PSA testing, 80% of GPs test men with urinary tract symptoms, 65% test men with a positive family history, 62% test on patient request, and 21% test men with unrelated symptoms. When PSA is measured, 91% of GPs inform their patient, and 71% discuss the significance of an abnormal result. The mean age range for PSA testing was from 50 years, without an upper age limit. The mode PSA threshold for referral was 6.6 ng/ml. De facto PSA screening appears to be widely practised.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Ward 2 South, Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, UK

    B Little, K J Ho & M Young

  2. Department of General Practice, Queen's University, Dunluce Heath Centre, Belfast, UK

    G Gormley

Authors
  1. B Little
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  2. K J Ho
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  3. G Gormley
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  4. M Young
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B Little.

Appendix : Full text of the PSA screening questionnnaire

Appendix : Full text of the PSA screening questionnnaire

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Table 1 Table a1
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Little, B., Ho, K., Gormley, G. et al. PSA testing in general practice. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 6, 154–158 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500646

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