PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

Prostate cancer screening and the PSA test

PSA screening is a personal decision. Understanding the possible benefits and downsides can help you decide what is right for you.

Reviewed by the Verra Health clinical team · Last reviewed September 2026

The short answer: Talk with a healthcare provider before having a PSA test. It is not an automatic screening test for everyone, and a result can lead to repeat testing, specialist assessment, or a biopsy.

What is prostate cancer screening?

Screening looks for prostate cancer before symptoms appear. The main screening test is a blood test called prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. A digital rectal examination is not recommended as a routine screening test by the Canadian Task Force, but a clinician may discuss an examination when assessing symptoms or a specific concern.

Who should consider PSA testing?

At average risk: discuss testing from around age 50.
At higher risk: discuss testing from around age 45. Higher risk includes Black men, including men of African or Caribbean ancestry, and people with a family history of prostate cancer.
Age 70 or older, or if serious health problems limit life expectancy: routine PSA screening may offer little benefit and should be discussed carefully.

Guidelines differ because PSA screening has both possible benefits and harms. Your decision should consider your personal risk, overall health, values, and what you would want to do if a result led to more testing.

What happens during a PSA test?

A healthcare professional takes a small blood sample from your arm. Tell them about urinary symptoms, a recent urinary infection, prostate procedures, catheter use, medicines for urinary problems or hair loss, and testosterone or other hormone therapy. Ejaculation, cycling, infection, and procedures can affect PSA levels, so your clinician may give you preparation instructions.

What can the result mean?

A lower PSA: This may be reassuring, but it does not completely rule out prostate cancer. Your follow-up depends on your age, risk, result, and health.

A higher PSA: This does not automatically mean cancer. An enlarged prostate, inflammation, infection, recent procedures, and other factors can raise PSA. Your clinician may repeat the test or recommend further assessment. A biopsy may be considered if concern remains.

What are the benefits and limitations?

Possible benefits

May find some cancers before symptoms develop.
May find cancer before it spreads, when treatment can be more effective.

Possible downsides

False-positive or unclear results can cause worry and more tests.
Screening can find slow-growing cancer that may never cause harm.
Biopsy and treatment can cause bleeding, infection, urinary problems, sexual side effects, or incontinence.

Screening is for people without symptoms. Contact a healthcare provider about difficulty starting or controlling urination, blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, unexplained weight loss, or new persistent back or pelvic pain. These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but they should be assessed.

Frequently asked questions

What is a PSA test?

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. It is a blood test that measures a protein made by prostate cells. A higher PSA can happen with prostate cancer, but also with an enlarged or inflamed prostate and other conditions.

When should I consider a PSA test?

Canadian Cancer Society guidance suggests discussing PSA testing from age 50 for people at average risk and from age 45 for people at higher risk, including Black men and people with a family history of prostate cancer. Alberta guidance also emphasizes shared decision-making and generally does not recommend starting routine testing at age 70 or older.

Does a high PSA mean I have prostate cancer?

No. A high PSA does not diagnose cancer. Your clinician may repeat the test, review possible causes, perform other assessments, or discuss referral and additional testing depending on your result and risk.

Should everyone have a PSA test?

No. PSA screening has possible benefits and harms, and recommendations differ between organizations. Talk with a healthcare provider about your age, risk factors, health, life expectancy, and what you would want to do if further testing were recommended.

Questions to ask your healthcare provider

What is my personal risk of prostate cancer?
What are the possible benefits and harms of testing for me?
What could happen if my PSA is higher than expected?
How would we follow up on an abnormal or changing result?
Would my medicines or a recent infection affect the test?

Discuss your options

A family doctor or nurse practitioner can review your risks and help you make an informed decision. A PSA test should not be ordered as a routine “just in case” test without discussing what the result could mean.

Book an appointment Call (587) 404-2000

Trusted information

This leaflet is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice.