08/09/2025
In the UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men with around 1 in 8 men expected to get it at some point in their lives. The positive news is that when prostate cancer is found early, treatment is often very successful. Therefore, regular testing and early detection is essential.
Currently, the main tool used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is a blood test called the PSA test. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen – a protein made by the prostate. If the PSA level in your blood is high, it might mean there’s a problem such as prostate cancer.
The problem is the PSA test is far from perfect due to:
- False Alarms – Sometimes PSA levels can be raised even when there’s no cancer.
- Missed Cases – Other times, men with prostate cancer can have ‘normal’ PSA levels.
It’s also less reliable for overweight or obese men, as higher body weight can make PSA levels appear lower than they are. In fact, a recent study published in Nature found that men with a BMI of 30 or more often had lower PSA readings, even though their risk of cancer was still there.
What’s changed
Randox Health has developed a new ‘Prostate Cancer Risk Score’. This looks at several different markers in the blood, not just PSA. This gives a clearer picture of whether someone might be at higher risk of prostate cancer.
- When tested in a large group of men, the ‘Prostate Cancer Risk Score’ showed that most were low risk.
- Importantly, in men who were flagged as higher risk by the ‘Prostate Cancer Risk Score’, many had completely “normal” PSA results. This means a standard PSA test would not have picked up on this risk.
- The ‘prostate cancer risk score’ is not affected by body weight. This makes it a much more effective tool for obese or overweight men.
Are there any signs of Prostate Cancer I should be looking out for?
Symptoms of prostate cancer can be very similar to symptoms of other conditions.
- difficulty emptying your bladder/feeling your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
- weak flow or difficulty starting to urinate
- needing to urinate more often, especially during the night or a sudden need to urinate
- blood in the urine
- back/hip or pelvis pain
As these symptoms can be indicative of other conditions and easily overlooked, regular testing is essential to identify any risks.
Sir Chris Hoy on his Prostate Cancer diagnosis:
Sir Chris Hoy, one of the UK’s most celebrated athletes and Olympians, was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 prostate cancer in September 2023. At the time, Hoy had no obvious symptoms of prostate cancer, other than pain in his shoulders and ribs, which he had understood to be sport related pain.
Today, Hoy’s condition is stable as he continues to receive treatment and sets his sights on raising over £1 million for UK cancer charities who have supported him and many others. His Tour de Four cycling initiative aims “to change perceptions around stage four cancer following his own diagnosis”. This remarkable act of charity and resilience is proof that living doesn’t have to stop when you receive a cancer diagnosis.
You can read more on Chris Hoy’s story here:
Sir Chris Hoy gives cancer treatment update
Why it matters
The prostate cancer risk score available as part of our advanced PSA test could help detect prostate cancer earlier and avoid unnecessary worry or missed diagnoses, especially for men living with obesity.
What you need to know about the Randox Health Advanced PSA test:
- Simple blood test
- Results within 2-4 days
- Tests for Prostate Cancer Risk and PSA levels
- Receive a breakdown of results, what they mean and next steps
- Optional GP follow up appointment available
Find out more about the Randox Health In-Clinic Advanced PSA test and book yours here:
👉Advanced PSA Test | Prostate Cancer Risk Check | Randox Health