Prostate appointment

Count down to your GP appointment about your prostate, check what applies at your age and risk, and get questions to ask.

Your details

Your prostate appointment

12 days

to go, on Mon, 2 November 2026

Your risk factorNo known extra risk
PSA testYou can ask for one at 50 or over, after talking it through
ScreeningNot covered by the 2027 targeted screening
Questions to takeWhat could a raised PSA mean for me? Do I need an MRI first? What are the risks of a biopsy?
Before a PSA testAvoid ejaculation and vigorous exercise (such as cycling) for 48 hours; tell them about any urine infection

There is no screening for all men in the UK because the PSA test can miss some cancers and find others that would never cause harm. In 2026 the UK National Screening Committee recommended screening only for men aged 45 to 61 with a BRCA2 variant and a relevant family history. Anyone with a prostate aged 50 or over can still ask a GP for a PSA test, and men at higher risk can talk about it from 45.

See a GP if you need to pee more often (especially at night), have a weak flow, feel you cannot empty your bladder, or see blood in your pee or semen. These are usually not cancer, but are worth checking.

The working

Age 56, no known extra risk, appointment in 12 days

Your appointment on Monday 2 November 2026 is 12 days away. At 50 or over you can ask for a PSA test after talking through the pros and cons. The 2027 targeted screening does not apply, as it is for men with a BRCA2 variant and a family history.

Who is at higher risk

From Prostate Cancer UK and the NHS

Factor	What it means
Age 50 or over	risk rises with age; you can ask for a PSA test
Black men	about 1 in 4 get prostate cancer; you can talk to a GP from 45
Father or brother had it	higher risk; talk to a GP from 45
BRCA2 variant and family history	screening every 2 years from 45 to 61, starting in England from 2027

The PSA test

Pros and cons

It can find cancer early, before symptoms
Up to 3 in 4 men with a raised PSA do not have cancer
It can miss some cancers
It can find slow cancers that would never cause harm, leading to treatment side effects

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

Tell you to have a PSA testIt is your choice, made with your GP.
Interpret a resultPSA levels depend on age and other things; your GP will explain.
DiagnoseSymptoms need a GP appointment.

Questions

Common questions

Can I get a PSA test on the NHS?

Yes. Anyone with a prostate aged 50 or over can ask a GP for one, after discussing the pros and cons. Men at higher risk can talk about it from 45.

Is there prostate screening in the UK?

Not for everyone. In 2026 the UK National Screening Committee recommended screening every 2 years only for men aged 45 to 61 with a BRCA2 variant and a relevant family history; England plans to start in 2027.

What should I avoid before a PSA test?

Ejaculation and vigorous exercise, such as cycling, for 48 hours, and do not have the test if you have a urine infection.

What are the symptoms of prostate problems?

Needing to pee more often, especially at night, a weak flow, straining or feeling you have not emptied your bladder. Usually these are not cancer.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

When to see a GP

See a GP about any lump, swelling, pain or change that is not normal for you, or changes in how you pee. Most turn out to be something minor, and men tend to wait too long. Call 999 or go to A&E for sudden severe pain.