I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

GP refuses PSA test without symptoms

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 24 Aug 2024 at 16:33

Hi


What are the alternatives if your GP refuses to PSA test and they are the only GP in your area... find a GP that will test and move house?


I want regular screening because I know a man who died of PC. He had no symptoms before an incurable diagnosis. I know another man who was diagnosed with PC when treatment started for bone cancer. It was deemed pointless to treat the PC as he was terminal. Neither had been offered or asked for screening.


I know another man whose GP routinely PSA tests men after 50. He had no symptoms but PC was dectected treated and cured very early.


I worked with two men, one from Worcester the other Manchester. Their GP's strated DRE examinations in their mid 40's.


I am 60 and live near Oxford, I have been asking my GP for PSA tests since I was 50. They refuse unless I have symptoms. I made up some symptoms to get tested once. Then I discovered the Loganberry Trust, got tested once and made a donation, then Covid came and they seem to have stopped.


Paul


 

User
Posted 25 Aug 2024 at 10:49

80% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer had no symptoms of the disease. (At the EAU2024 conference in April this year, it was reported that In the US, it's 85%, but they may be doing more proactive PSA testing, and hence catching men earlier.)


Basically, prostate cancer usually has no symptoms until after it's become incurable.


10% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer had to make up symptoms to get their PSA blood test at the GP. One GP said to me that if a GP ever refuses a PSA blood test, ask them to record in your medical notes the reason for the refusal. (This will make them think about being sued.) There are plenty of men in the support groups who were refused a PSA blood test until the cancer was late stage or incurable, often only getting tested when they happened to get a locum GP - don't let that happen to you. Female and younger male GP's can be more aware, and older male GP's can be more out-of-date.


There are many charity tests done. Most of them are listed at https://mypsatests.org.uk. You can do one by post (about £29), or look at the Events tab for tests near you.

Edited by member 25 Aug 2024 at 11:32  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 24 Aug 2024 at 16:33

Hi


What are the alternatives if your GP refuses to PSA test and they are the only GP in your area... find a GP that will test and move house?


I want regular screening because I know a man who died of PC. He had no symptoms before an incurable diagnosis. I know another man who was diagnosed with PC when treatment started for bone cancer. It was deemed pointless to treat the PC as he was terminal. Neither had been offered or asked for screening.


I know another man whose GP routinely PSA tests men after 50. He had no symptoms but PC was dectected treated and cured very early.


I worked with two men, one from Worcester the other Manchester. Their GP's strated DRE examinations in their mid 40's.


I am 60 and live near Oxford, I have been asking my GP for PSA tests since I was 50. They refuse unless I have symptoms. I made up some symptoms to get tested once. Then I discovered the Loganberry Trust, got tested once and made a donation, then Covid came and they seem to have stopped.


Paul


 

User
Posted 24 Aug 2024 at 20:03

Hi Paul,


I would say your GP is an ass! many men don’t have any symptoms and yet have PCa and you’re certainly at an age where have a test every so often is a good idea. I was too late in being diagnosed and as a result my treatment options were limited. However it was my own fault as I didn’t want to bother my GP during COVID. I might add that the GP did a DRE and found nothing abnormal.


There are other pharmacies that do PSA tests but I really don’t see why you should need to pay. If it’s 10 years since your last one I think you are making a reasonable request.  Do you have other GPS in your practice? Maybe an email to the Practice Manager might get some action if you say that worrying about this and it’s affecting your mental health.


Good Luck…and don’t give up!


Derek


 

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 24 Aug 2024 at 20:03

Hi Paul,


I would say your GP is an ass! many men don’t have any symptoms and yet have PCa and you’re certainly at an age where have a test every so often is a good idea. I was too late in being diagnosed and as a result my treatment options were limited. However it was my own fault as I didn’t want to bother my GP during COVID. I might add that the GP did a DRE and found nothing abnormal.


There are other pharmacies that do PSA tests but I really don’t see why you should need to pay. If it’s 10 years since your last one I think you are making a reasonable request.  Do you have other GPS in your practice? Maybe an email to the Practice Manager might get some action if you say that worrying about this and it’s affecting your mental health.


Good Luck…and don’t give up!


Derek


 

User
Posted 24 Aug 2024 at 21:27

Hi Paulp1963,


Sorry that you have been faced with this dilemma.  As Decho has said, the GP is an ass.  You say that your GP is the only one in your area.  I assume therefore that you live in a rural area?  If not, and there is another GP, but at a greater distance, it might be worth switching to their practice, even if it's somewhat inconvenient.  Another alternative is to purchase a private PSA test.  However, I understand that these are of variable quality, so you would need to do some research as to which one is the best.  Of course you shouldn't need to do this, but it would be cheaper than moving house.  If you are willing to be confrontational with your G.P., you could complain to the Practice Manager (or even the General Medical Council / British Medical Association).   That last strategy might make future collaboration with them more difficult, but you could do it after you have found an alternative G.P.  


Best wishes in whatever you decide to do, but do try to get that test somehow.


JedSee.

User
Posted 24 Aug 2024 at 21:46
User
Posted 25 Aug 2024 at 10:49

80% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer had no symptoms of the disease. (At the EAU2024 conference in April this year, it was reported that In the US, it's 85%, but they may be doing more proactive PSA testing, and hence catching men earlier.)


Basically, prostate cancer usually has no symptoms until after it's become incurable.


10% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer had to make up symptoms to get their PSA blood test at the GP. One GP said to me that if a GP ever refuses a PSA blood test, ask them to record in your medical notes the reason for the refusal. (This will make them think about being sued.) There are plenty of men in the support groups who were refused a PSA blood test until the cancer was late stage or incurable, often only getting tested when they happened to get a locum GP - don't let that happen to you. Female and younger male GP's can be more aware, and older male GP's can be more out-of-date.


There are many charity tests done. Most of them are listed at https://mypsatests.org.uk. You can do one by post (about £29), or look at the Events tab for tests near you.

Edited by member 25 Aug 2024 at 11:32  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 28 Aug 2024 at 12:50
Hi

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reply, it is greatly appreciated, and for all the helpful tips and advice.

I do live in a rural area, the local practice has many part time doctors and a high turnover. I did formally complain about the refusal to PSA test and was told it is the practise policy not to PSA test unless there are symptoms (hence I invented some sympoms a year later and got tested).

Their standards are generally poor and I have complained before about a diagnosis I had to pay for privately after they dismissed my concerns. I was literally told I could go elsewhere if I didn't like their approach.... which means move out of the area. I did escalate that to the ombudsman but, despite having a diagnosis from a neurologist, my complaint was not upheld as the GP had performed "all reasonable" steps. So I won't waste my time escalating this complaint.

I have signed up to mypsatest.org.uk. There are events not too far away where I can get tested for £25.

Thanks again
Paul
User
Posted 28 Aug 2024 at 13:31

Hi i think this is terrible and all men over 50 should get a PSA test.


I had no symptoms at 70 but because i was having a private medical for the renewal of my 7.5 ton driving license  my doctor picked up blood in my urine he sent me for further tests. The tests and biopsy gave me a PSA 2.19 and Gleason 3+4=7 a mid range result but if left could have been a lot worst.That was the best £140 i ever spent for the private medical. If you look up PSA levels for a 70 year old they are a lot higher but my doctor still sent me for further tests and i believe he saved my life.


Regards John.

User
Posted 28 Aug 2024 at 17:56

I find this attitude astonishing! In complete contrast to this attitude, now that I have finished my HT and due PSA tests every 3 months, I sent an email to my GP and asked if it would be ok if they tested my testosterone at the same time, as I am quite anxious about it and want to monitor it along with my PSA as Andy62 did.


I got a phone call today to say it wasn’t a problem and am booked in on 24th September for my first double test.


Derek

User
Posted 28 Aug 2024 at 23:09
Unfortunately I had the same experience. It took me years to get my GP practice to approve a PSA test. It was only after insisting when a number of people around me started to get diagnosed with PC.

When my PSA test came back as above the threshold, I went to see the consultant for a DRE, and he read out my details to confirm that family members had PC. I explained no its an in-law and a friend. He look surprised, but obviously went ahead with the DRE which then gave him cause for concern and progress to an MRI and eventually the biopsy. After which I was confirmed with PC.

It sounds like the GP had got confused with what I said (who btw had a very broken grasp of English so might have been a recent arrival to the UK). Oh the irony, it was probably what got me a PSA test.

So I can't understand why this is a theme in some practices. But it sounds like sometimes you have to press them or give false reasons.
I certainly wouldn't recommend the latter as I could imagine that might cause problems down the road.
 
Forum Jump  
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2024 Prostate Cancer UK