How long can PSA tests go on for.

Yes Def Safeways,  I had RT in 2017 and I'm still having PSA tests annually.

That's what the PSA test was designed for originally just in case the cancer returns.

Best wishes 

Steve 

Yes. Longer if possible and at less than the often prescribed annual. And check actual results  -  don't take GPs "normal" at face value!

Good luck.

Dave.

I had HT/RT in 2016 and was told PSA tests would continue for ever, with frequency decreasing to annual after a few years.

As Carl28 says, make absolutely sure you check your own results every time. My GP posted "normal - no action required" on my record despite it exceeding the limit for referral back to hospital. Turns out I had recurrence with no symptoms and underwent further treatment in 2024. If I hadn't checked my record the cancer would have continued to grow and possibly spread until the next test 12 months later. There's also been others on here with the same experience.

All the best,

Derek.

I would recommend keeping a careful eye on all test results.

I have come to the opinion that we need to be experts in "us", not to take over from a doctor, but to reinforce the GP's efforts.

They have a shed load of results to che'k, and are only human.

Good Morning Safeways 

i am with Derek (excavator) here:

* You should be on lifelong PSA tests as you have Prostate Cancer and you don't want it coming back. I completed my treatment - and my PSA tests showed an increase and I am back on treatment.

* I am in England (I know you are in Scotland so you can't do it) but I have full access to my test results on the NHS App. I ended up in hospital with no kidney function - my eGFR was 8. I got my eGFR levels up to 58 and they started going down again. My GP wrote "Acceptable for this Patient". When I questioned this it was discovered I had a "medication clash" causing the reduced eGFR.

Moral of the story - keep being tested and if you can, check all of your test results.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Safeways,

Well, I bet you are looking forward to the next few months passing quickly & the HT to come to an end.

In my case, I had HT & RT in 2023 & have PSA tests 6 monthly for the first 3 years & then providing everything is still looking hunky dory they will reduce to annually for the following 2 years.  These are all under the hospital & then any further tests would fall to my GP surgery.  I'm not sure what their thinking on this is, but I would be looking for an annual blood test thereafter.  As I have to have one of those anyway for the other medication I'm on I wouldn't have thought it would be any issue just adding on PSA as an extra.

Best Wishes

Brian

Hello Safeways 

I am seventeen months on from my RT and just at what should have escaped from the after effects of HT but that's another story!

I had PSA tests in October 2024 (0.03), January 2025 (0.03), April 2025 (0.03) this one at my request not hospital, June 2025 (0.03), January 2026 (0.05).
At the telephone consultation in July 2025 I was told that I would be on six monthly tests until five years from the end of RT unless the reading did not give cause for concern.
After the five year period I should request regular PSA tests via my GP for the forseeable future and insist on having the result figure. If that exceeded 2 I should contact the oncology department myself.

Rod

"don't take GPs "normal" at face value!"................

...............or "no further action" and don't believe "patient informed" and watch out for non-medical sounding terms such as "borderline" - all from my GP !!!