PCA3 test for prostate cancer
PCA3 is a new gene-based urine test for prostate cancer. It measures substances in the urine produced by prostate cancer cells. It is a simple test to perform which involves a brief prostate examination followed by a collection of urine.
The PCA3 test is sent to the lab for analysis and you'll be seen again in the clinic so your specialist can guide you through the results.
Which test for prostate cancer: PCA3 or PSA?
PCA3 has some advantages over the standard PSA test:
- It can avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies in patients who may have a raised PSA due to non-cancerous processes (i.e. it is more specific than PSA). This is because it is only produced by prostate cancer cells and not by increased prostate size.
- It can provide extra reassurance that if you have had a negative prostate biopsy, prostate cancer has not been missed by the biopsy