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Health condition

Prostate check options

There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK - this guide compares the check options available, from PSA testing to MRI-based assessment.

Last reviewed 2026-09-27 · Next review due 2027-09-27

Key points

  • Options include a PSA blood test, digital rectal examination, and MRI-based prostate health checks

  • Men over 50 can request a PSA test from their GP; higher-risk men may start earlier

  • A consultant urologist can advise on the right check for your age and risk

  • PSA has limitations - MRI before biopsy has made assessment far more accurate

  • Knowing your baseline PSA helps track change over time

Understanding it

About Prostate check options.

Because early prostate cancer is usually silent, many men choose a proactive check. The core test is a PSA blood test, sometimes combined with examination; increasingly, private prostate health checks add a multiparametric MRI for men whose PSA or risk profile justifies it.

A discussion of your risk factors, a PSA test interpreted against your age, and an MRI if results suggest one is warranted. On the NHS, routine referrals of this kind often take 20-45+ weeks in many areas, whereas a private consultant urologist can typically see you within around two weeks, with any tests and treatment arranged promptly afterwards.

A quiet reminder

This guide is for information, not medical advice.

Your GP or specialist knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and treat sudden severe symptoms as an emergency.

Frequently asked

Common questions about Prostate check options.

Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.

  • What options are available for checking prostate health?

    Options include a PSA blood test, a digital rectal examination, and, increasingly, an MRI scan, each providing different information to help assess prostate health and cancer risk.

  • What is a PSA test?

    A PSA test measures prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate, in the blood; elevated levels can indicate several possible causes including cancer, benign prostate enlargement, or infection, so it's not diagnostic on its own.

  • What is a digital rectal examination?

    This involves a doctor gently examining the prostate through the rectum to check its size, shape, and texture, which can help identify abnormalities that might warrant further investigation.

  • How does prostate MRI fit into checking prostate health?

    MRI scanning has become an increasingly important tool, often used after a raised PSA to help identify suspicious areas within the prostate and guide decisions about whether a biopsy is needed.

  • Who should consider having prostate checks?

    Current guidance suggests men from around age 50 discuss PSA testing with their doctor, or earlier (from around 45) for those at higher risk, including those with a family history of prostate cancer or of Black ethnicity.

  • Are there downsides to PSA testing?

    Yes, PSA testing can lead to false positives (raised levels without cancer) and potentially unnecessary further investigation, which is why an informed discussion about the pros and cons with your doctor is recommended before testing.

  • How often should prostate checks be repeated?

    This depends on your individual risk factors and previous results, with your doctor able to advise on an appropriate schedule based on your specific circumstances.

  • PSA test vs MRI — what's the difference?

    A PSA test is a simple blood test giving an indirect indication of possible prostate problems, while MRI provides detailed images of the prostate itself, often used together as complementary tools in assessing prostate health and cancer risk.

  • What happens if my PSA level is raised?

    A raised PSA typically prompts further discussion with a specialist, and often an MRI scan, to help determine whether further investigation such as a biopsy is warranted.

  • When should I book a prostate check, and how quickly can this be arranged privately?

    If you're considering prostate checks based on age or risk factors, private urology consultation, including PSA testing and, if needed, MRI, is typically available within about two weeks, faster than some NHS routine pathways.