PSA testing in general practice.

A questionnaire was sent to 400 general practitioners (GPs), concerning prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. Regarding the indications for PSA testing, 80% of GPs test men with urinary tract symptoms, 65% test men with a positive family history, 62% test on patient request, and 21% test men with unrelated symptoms. When PSA is measured, 91% of GPs inform their patient, and 71% discuss the significance of an abnormal result. The mean age range for PSA testing was from 50 years, without an upper age limit. The mode PSA threshold for referral was 6.6 ng/ml. De facto PSA screening appears to be widely practised.