Prostate Health (PSA) Test

The purchase price includes:

• Healthcare provider support and oversight for lab testing, including a valid lab request.
• A professional blood draw at a LifeLabs® location
• PSA testing using validated laboratory methods, approved by Health Canada
• Secure access to your results via your MyCareCompass™ account, typically within 24-72 hours

The PSA test is a simple blood test that does not require fasting or dietary restrictions. However, to help ensure accurate results, consider the following:

• Avoid ejaculation for 24-48 hours before the test
  Ejaculation may temporarily increase PSA levels and affect test accuracy.
• Avoid vigorous physical activity, especially cycling or heavy exercise, for 24-48 hours
  Activities that put pressure on the prostate may elevate PSA levels.
• Do not schedule the test immediately after a digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate biopsy, or other urological procedures
  These procedures can cause temporary PSA elevation. Wait at least 48 hours after a DRE and several weeks after a biopsy.
• Stay hydrated
  Drinking water before your appointment may help with blood draw comfort, though it does not affect PSA levels.

If you are unsure whether recent activities or procedures may affect your result, contact us before testing.

The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test measures the level of PSA in your blood, which may be elevated in men with prostate cancer. However, high PSA levels can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate or inflammation.

This means the test can sometimes lead to false positives, where results suggest cancer when none is present. It may also detect slow-growing cancers that would not have caused harm, leading to overdiagnosis and possibly unnecessary treatment. Treatments like surgery or radiation can carry side effects such as urinary or sexual dysfunction.

Because PSA testing is not suitable for everyone, it’s important to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. They can help you understand your personal risk factors and guide you in making an informed decision that’s right for your health.

Results are typically provided within 24-72 hours after your lab visit. Once your result is ready, you can access it in one of the following ways:

Phone call from a licensed healthcare provider

If your test result is abnormal, a healthcare provider from our partner clinic will contact you by phone and email within 1–2 business days to review your result and guide you on next steps.

Online through MyCareCompass™

If your result is negative—or after your consultation—you can access your test results online.

• Provide your Health Card Number during checkout or to the lab technician at the time of your blood draw
• You will receive a Lab Visit Number from the lab technician after your sample is collected.
• Use your Lab Visit Number and Health Card Number to create a MyCareCompass™ account.
• Once logged in, go to the “Reports” tab to view your results.

Offline through a Formal Access Request Form

If you do not have a health card or choose not to provide one, you can request your results offline.

• You will receive a Lab Visit Number from the lab technician after your sample is collected.
• Your Lab Visit Number is required to confirm your identity.
• Complete the Access Request Form and email it to the address listed on the form.
• Please note that offline requests may take longer to process.

An abnormal PSA result means your PSA level is higher than the expected reference range. However, an abnormal result does not mean you have prostate cancer. A licensed healthcare provider will contact you within 1–2 business days to explain your result, answer your questions, and guide you on appropriate next steps. This may include further testing or a referral for additional care.

Yes, you can still purchase and complete the test without a Health Card Number (HCN).

If your result is abnormal, a licensed healthcare provider will schedule a virtual consultation with you—even without an HCN. Please note, additional fees may apply for this follow-up if you are not covered under a provincial health plan or private insurance.

If your result is normal, you will not be contacted, but you can still access your results through an offline process:

• You will not be able to use MyCareCompass™ without a Health Card Number.
• Instead, you can request your results by submitting a Formal Access Request Form to LifeLabs^®.
• Make sure to keep your Lab Visit Number from your appointment—you’ll need it to verify your identity when submitting your request.

If you prefer to access PSA testing through your regular healthcare provider:

• Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider (e.g., family doctor) to discuss PSA testing.
• If your provider determines that PSA testing is medically appropriate, they will complete and sign a laboratory requisition form.
• Once you have the signed requisition, visit the LifeLabs^® website to book your appointment.
• Bring the requisition form with you to your appointment. If you are unable to print it, you may email a copy to LifeLabs using the instructions provided on our requisitions page.

All test request forms expire within 6 months of being signed by a healthcare provider. Be sure to complete the test prior to the request forms expiring.

All tests are final sale, and your sample must be collected before the test expires.

• Canadian Cancer Society
• Cancer Care Ontario
• HealthLinkBC
• Statistics Canada