🏥 Mascot Healthcare — Lagos WhatsApp Us
✅ No Fasting Needed ⏱ 5–10 minutes

👨 How to Prepare for a
PSA (Prostate) Blood Test

The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test is a simple blood draw that measures a protein produced by prostate cells. It is the primary screening tool for prostate cancer and is recommended for all men over 50 — or from 45 for men of African descent or with a family history. Correct preparation prevents artificially elevated readings.

✅ Preparation Steps

1
Avoid ejaculation for 48 hours before the test
Ejaculation temporarily raises PSA by 0.4–1.0 ng/mL for up to 48 hours. This is physiological and normal, but can push a borderline result into the "abnormal" range and trigger unnecessary investigation. Abstain from sexual activity or masturbation for at least 48 hours before your PSA blood draw.
2
Avoid vigorous cycling or prolonged sitting on a hard bicycle seat for 48 hours
Mechanical pressure on the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus, where the prostate sits) from cycling or long rides can temporarily raise PSA. A light walk or gentle activity is fine. Avoid intense gym cycling, motorcycle riding (long distances), or horseback riding for 48 hours before.
3
Do not have a prostate massage or digital rectal exam (DRE) before the blood test
A DRE performed before the PSA blood draw will artificially elevate the result. If your doctor is planning both a DRE and a PSA test at the same visit, the blood should be drawn first, before the DRE is done.
4
Avoid vigorous exercise on the morning of the test
Strenuous exercise temporarily raises creatine kinase, muscle enzymes, and can mildly affect PSA. A gentle morning walk is fine; avoid a hard gym session immediately before your appointment.
5
No fasting needed
A PSA test does not require fasting. Eat your normal meals on the day of the test. All regular medications can be taken as usual.
6
Tell us about finasteride, dutasteride, or saw palmetto supplements
Finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) — used for BPH treatment or hair loss — lower PSA by approximately 50% after 6 months of use. If you are taking these, your doctor needs to multiply your PSA result by 2 to get the true equivalent reading. Saw palmetto supplements also mildly lower PSA. Always disclose these before your test.

🎒 What to Bring

🔬 What to Expect

Registration and brief history
Our nurse will confirm your age, symptoms if any, and any relevant medications. A brief prostate symptom questionnaire (IPSS) may be completed to assess urinary symptoms alongside the PSA.
Blood draw (2–3 min)
A single tube of blood is taken from the arm. The process is identical to any routine blood test — a brief needle prick. No other preparation or procedure is needed for the PSA alone.
Results (same day or 24 hours)
PSA results are typically available the same day or within 24 hours. Our team will call when your result is ready. Do not attempt to interpret the result number without clinical context — absolute PSA, PSA density, PSA velocity, and your DRE findings must all be considered together.
Prostate ultrasound (same visit or separate)
Many men combine a PSA blood test with a prostate ultrasound in the same appointment. The scan provides gland volume (used to calculate PSA density), post-void residual urine volume, and visual assessment of the prostate tissue. Ask our reception team to book both together.

🏠 After Your Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal PSA level?
There is no single "normal" PSA value — it depends on age, prostate size, and individual baseline. Traditional thresholds: below 4.0 ng/mL is generally reassuring; 4–10 ng/mL is a "grey zone" requiring further evaluation; above 10 ng/mL carries a higher cancer risk. However, younger men (50–60) should have PSA below 2.5 ng/mL; a PSA of 3.0 in a 50-year-old is more concerning than a PSA of 4.5 in a 75-year-old with a very large gland. PSA density (PSA ÷ prostate volume) and PSA velocity (how fast it is rising over time) are more clinically informative than the absolute number.
Does a high PSA mean I have cancer?
Not necessarily. PSA is elevated by: BPH (benign prostate enlargement — the most common cause), prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate), recent ejaculation, vigorous cycling, and prostate cancer. Only about 25–30% of men with PSA above 4.0 have prostate cancer on biopsy. However, a high or rising PSA always warrants further evaluation — a prostate ultrasound and urology review are the standard next steps.
I have no urinary symptoms — should I still test?
Yes. Early prostate cancer is almost always asymptomatic. By the time urinary symptoms develop, the cancer is often locally advanced or has already spread to bones or lymph nodes. The tragedy of prostate cancer in Nigeria is that most men present late precisely because they waited for symptoms. A PSA at 50 takes 5 minutes and could save your life.
How often should I have a PSA test?
For average-risk men: annually from age 50–70 is reasonable. Men of African descent or with a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer should start at 45. Men on active surveillance for known early cancer should test every 6 months. After 70, the decision to continue PSA screening depends on life expectancy and individual preference — discuss with your doctor.

Related Pages

Prostate Scan StoryPSA Lab StoryBPH vs Prostate Cancer

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