Page Banner
Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

One in seven men in Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The third leading cause of cancer death, when prostate cancer is detected early, the more likely it can be successfully treated.

How is the test performed?

Blood sample
How to Order

Email me a patient package

Submit

What is PSA and how is it connected to prostate cancer?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced within the prostate gland. PSA is mostly found in semen, but small amounts can also be found in the blood of healthy men. PSA levels depend on age and naturally go up as you age. There are many reasons why PSA levels fluctuate, and higher levels may indicate the presence of prostate cancer or other prostate conditions.

Prostate cancer is typically a slow growing cancer that can be present for many years before causing symptoms. Prostate cancer is highly treatable if diagnosed in the early stages and a PSA Ratio test can be valuable in aiding early detection.

What is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio screening test?

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio screening test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of PSA protein in your blood. Measuring PSA levels can be a useful tool in diagnosing prostate cancer as well as monitoring the progress of the disease in someone who has already been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Additional information can be found in our PSA test brochure here.

Who should get tested?

If you are a man over the age of 50, it’s recommended that you speak with your doctor about your risk of developing prostate cancer and whether you should have a PSA test.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a PSA test if you:
  • are almost 50 years old
  • have a family history of prostate cancer
  • are of African ancestry
  • have symptoms of prostate cancer
  • have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are being monitored

 

When is this test ordered?

A PSA Ratio test may be ordered by your healthcare provider to:

  • help detect prostate cancer early even if you don’t have any signs or symptoms
  • check for cancer if you are experiencing signs or symptoms of prostate cancer
  • confirm a diagnosis when other tests suggest prostate cancer
  • predict a prognosis (outcome) for prostate cancer
  • predict if cancer has spread outside the prostate
  • plan treatment for prostate cancer
  • monitor you if you are already being treated for prostate cancer
  • determine if cancer treatments are working
  • determine if cancer has come back after treatment
How can I get tested?

Testing is completed by LifeLabs at a Patient Service Center or via our mobile lab service (available in select cities) through a simple blood sample. You will require a completed test requisition from your healthcare provider.

You can order the test here.

Understanding your results

Test results will be provided directly to your healthcare provider for discussion with you. The report will indicate:

  • Total PSA level in the blood
  • Free PSA level
  • Ranges for PSA levels

PSA levels depend on your age. As you get older, your PSA level will naturally go up. If you have a high PSA level, your doctor will talk to you about your options. A higher than normal PSA level doesn’t always mean you have prostate cancer.

High PSA levels can also indicate:

  • an enlarged prostate due to benign prostatic hyperplasia
  • an inflamed or infected prostate (called prostatitis)
  • a urinary tract infection

It’s important for you to discuss your PSA level results with your doctor. Your doctor will help you determine your risk of prostate cancer in relation to your age, family history and other personal information.

Sources

Sources  

 

Overview

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio screening test measures the total PSA level and free PSA levels in the blood. The percentage of measured free PSA is useful in assessing the risk of prostate cancer in patients with borderline or moderately increased total PSA. When combined with your complete clinical assessment, it can help determine whether a follow-up prostate biopsy is required.

In addition to early prostate cancer detection, PSA ratio tests can be used to:
  • predict a prognosis (outcome) for prostate cancer
  • predict if cancer has spread outside the prostate
  • plan treatment for prostate cancer
  • monitor the efficacy of prostate cancer treatments
  • if cancer has reoccurred

Additional information can be found in our PSA test brochure here.

 

How to Order

Samples for PSA Ratio testing may be taken at any of our Patient Service Centres. Patients must have the requisition form below completed by a physician or healthcare provider. Note add-on of a PSA Ratio is NOT allowed due to the integrity of the specimen. A new collection is required. 

Learn more

Costs

PSA Ratio test is currently an uninsured test. The cost is:$50

Patient are encouraged to check with their private health care provider to see if coverage is provided.

Receiving results

Results will be available to you within two weeks.

Request more information

We have a wealth of medical experts available to support you in interpreting test results.
Consults with our experts are available upon request. Request medical consultation.

Request more information

Schedule a test

A PSA Ratio test may be scheduled directly by the patient at any of our Patient Service Centres offering this service. They must have a requisition form completed by a physician or healthcare provider.

Find a Location   Schedule an Appointment

Sources

Sources  

 

People who looked at the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test were also interested in:

Featured
Services
Colorectal Cancer Screening

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

FIT is a safe and painless stool-based test used for screening people at average risk of developing colorectal cancer. FIT checks for the presence of occult blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer and/or pre-cancerous lesions. When colorectal cancer is found and treated early, the chances of successful treatment are better.
Learn More
(Omega 3 Score)

Omega-3 Fatty Acid

The Omega 3 ScoreTM Test quantifies the fatty acids present in a sample of a patient’s whole blood. Specific levels of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the blood have been associated with a lower risk of sudden death from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Learn More
Helping Naturopathic Doctors Gain a Better View of the Health Status of their Patients

Patient Assessment Panels

Patient Assessment Panels enable you to provide your Naturopathic Doctor with a complete picture of your health. Now you can access the blood work required to make informed decisions on how to be your healthiest you!
1. Convenient
2. Comprehensive
3. Cost-effective
Learn More
Personalized Risk Assessment of Prostate Cancer

SelectMDx Testing

Learning you have elevated PSA can be alarming news, but elevated PSA does not mean you have clinically significant disease and require a biopsy or treatment. SelectMDx is a novel decision support tool and provides your urologist with additional important information on the likelihood of finding aggressive cancer upon biopsy.
Learn More
Fecal Calprotectin Testing

Differentiating Between
IBS and IBD

Canada has one of the highest incidence and prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the world. With symptoms of these two conditions appearing similar, Fecal Calprotectin testing can provide an accurate diagnosis in many patients with chronic diarrhea without the need of doing invasive diagnostic procedures.
Learn More
QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT)

QUANTIFERON-TB GOLD (FOR TB SCREENING)

QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT) is a simple blood test that aids in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes tuberculosis (TB). QFT is an interferon gamma release assay, commonly known as an IGRA, and is a modern alternative to the tuberculin skin test (TST). Unlike the TST, QFT is a controlled laboratory test that requires only one patient visit and works on patients who have previously been vaccinated against TB with the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination.
Learn More
Know Your Risk for Heart Attacks

PULS (Protein Unstable Lesion Signature Test) Cardiac Test™

The second leading cause of death among Canadians, heart attacks are often a silent killer with no signs or symptoms before they strike. Often resulting from coronary heart disease, heart attacks can be predicted and even prevented if you know and manage your risk.
Learn More
Determine your risk of bone fractures

Osteoporosis

Known as the “silent thief”, osteoporosis is responsible for the loss of bone mass without obvious symptoms until a bone is broken. By knowing your risk through a Serum CTX Test, you can prevent, delay or reduce bone loss.
Learn More
Detecting Rheumatoid Arthritis

JOINTstat

When your immune system attacks your joints, the daily pain, stiffness and swelling can go undiagnosed for months causing permanent damage. Quickly and accurately diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can prevent damage and improve long-term quality of life.
Learn More
Early Detection of Cervical Cancer

HPV Testing

About 75% of sexually active women will get a least one HPV infection in their lifetime. With HPV the primary cause of cervical cancer, the HPV test detects the presence of high-risk HPV strain(s).
Learn More
Diagnosing Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease can arise at any age creating damage to your intestines and starving your body of critical nutrients. With a range of symptoms commonly associated with other conditions, knowing if you are celiac, or simply have a gluten allergy or intolerance, is key to ensuring you’re on the right path to health.
Learn More
Detecting Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anti-CCP

The daily pain, stiffness and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis can go undiagnosed for months causing permanent damage to your body. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis at its earliest stages can prevent damage and improve long-term quality of life.
Learn More
Fertility Test

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)

With one in six couples across Canada experiencing difficulty in becoming pregnant, AMH levels can provide valuable insight into predicting a response for IVF treatment.
Learn More
Vitamin Levels

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus and is essential
for proper growth and healthy teeth and bones throughout your life.
Learn More
General Diagnostic Tests

General Diagnostic Tests

View all tests
Genetics Tests

Genetic Tests

Learn More
Naturopathic Tests

Naturopathic Tests

Learn More
Page Banner

LifeLabs Comes to You!

Price

Only $60 for up to three people of your choice serviced at the same location and appointment time.

Services offered

Blood tests, ECG monitoring, Holter monitoring

Locations

Now serving all of Toronto and, select areas in York, Peel and Halton regions, Newmarket and more!
Find a location