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

Already checked your PSA levels?

See if SelectMDx is right for you.

Learn More

FAQs

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

FAQs

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

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

    Featured
    Services
    Your trusted healthcare partner for supporting Immigration Medical Exams.

    Immigration Diagnostic Test Panel

    LifeLabs® is the largest medical diagnostic laboratory in Canada, that works with government-regulated immigration panel physicians to offer immigration medical exams in an efficient, timely, and customer-focused manner. The Immigration Medical Exa...
    Learn More

    Testing Options for Long
    COVID Assessment

    The use of various diagnostic tests for Long COVID should be considered for patients with ongoing symptoms associated with Long COVID to assess for conditions that may respond to treatment, once basic testing such as complete blood count, basic metabolic profi...
    Learn More
    COVID-19 Antibody Testing

    COVID-19 Antibody Blood Test Panel

    IMPORTANT: This test is no longer available for purchase.  For customers that already have a requisition, samples will continue to be collected at our Patient Service Centers until Sept 30, 2023.

    Learn More
    Diagnosing Allergies

    Serum Allergy Testing

    The serum allergy test is one type of allergy test that can be used to assist in the diagnosis and management of allergies. Through a simple blood test, analyzed in a laboratory, your doctor can uncover the amount of allergen-specific antibodies, called Immuno...
    Learn More
    Diagnosing H. pylori Infection

    H. pylori Infection.

    The H. pylori stool antigen test is a common test used to accurately diagnose whether you have an H. pylori infection. Detecting H. pylori is essential in identifying the cause of your symptoms and/or ulcers in the absence of more advanced signs. It is also va...
    Learn More
    COVID-19 Antibody Testing

    COVID-19 Antibody Blood Test

    Find out if you’ve had COVID-19 through an Antibody test.
    This blood test detects prior infection, even if you never experienced symptoms.
    Learn More
    Reaching a definitive diagnosis of hypertension

    24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

    Learn More
    Take the guesswork out of your diet

    IgG Food Sensitivity Testing

    Symptoms associated with food sensitivities develop slowly over time and can create inflammation and contribute to symptoms of a variety of diseases. The RMA FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity test can help identify potential food sensitivities and t...
    Learn More
    Colorectal Cancer Screening

    Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

    FIT is a safe and painless at-home cancer screening test. FIT checks someone’s stool (poop) for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by colon cancer and some pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer over time). W...
    Learn More
    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 ...
    Learn More
    (Omega-3)

    Omega-3 Fatty Acid

    The Omega-3 Fatty Acid 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 hav...
    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 <...
    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 info...
    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 ...
    Learn More
    QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus)

    QUANTIFERON-TB GOLD Plus (FOR TB SCREENING)

    QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) is a simple blood test that aids in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes tuberculosis (TB). Like its predecessor, QFT-Plus is an interferon gamma release assay, commonly known as an IGRA, ...
    Learn More
    Know Your Risk for Heart Attacks

    SMARTVascular Dx

    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 ...
    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
    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, ...
    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

    View all tests

    Genetic Tests

    Learn More

    Naturopathic Tests

    Learn More