Research by BBC News reveals that at-home tests for prostate cancer may produce inconsistent and inaccurate results. An analysis of five commercial PSA tests showed one failed entirely, three yielded negative results, and one produced a false positive—all from the same blood sample. Prostate Cancer UK warns against these tests due to their questionable accuracy, especially since there's no national screening program for prostate cancer in the UK. Men over 50, or younger for higher-risk groups, must proactively seek blood tests through their GP, where accurate diagnosis is traditionally made.
The tests, which resemble a Covid lateral flow strip, turn positive if a high level of a protein called PSA is detected in a drop of blood.
Three of the five rapid tests were negative or all-clear, but one returned a false positive result—all from the same blood sample, highlighting reliability issues.
Prostate Cancer UK expressed significant concerns about the sale of these tests due to questionable accuracy and the lack of medical interpretation for results.
Unlike other cancers, there is no national screening program for prostate cancer in the UK, leaving men to request blood tests from their GP.
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