Male Cancer Screen – Home

No, the qFIT stool test is easy to perform and comes with simple, clear instructions. You will need to place a small disposable plastic container in the toilet to catch your stool sample. The test kit contains everything else you need to hygienically scrape a very small amount of your stool and place it into a collection tube.

All results are reviewed by our Lead GP before being released to you. If anything requires urgent clinical attention such as a significantly abnormal haemoglobin, white cell count, potassium or sodium, we will contact you directly to arrange a complimentary follow-up call at no extra charge.

Other findings including an elevated qFIT, a raised PSA, elevated calprotectin, abnormal kidney or liver function, or iron levels outside the normal range vary in their significance depending on the degree of abnormality, your symptoms and your personal medical history. Some may require prompt attention; others will need follow-up but without the same urgency. Because context matters, our Lead GP reviews every result individually rather than in isolation. Where a result needs prompt action, we will contact you directly. Where follow-up is needed but not urgent, your report will include clear guidance on the recommended next step whether that is a GP appointment, a repeat test, or further investigation.

No result is released without clinical review, and no abnormal finding is left without a clear recommended pathway. If you have any questions about your results at any point, our clinical team is here to help.

No, a positive qFIT test does not mean you definitely have bowel cancer. It means you need further tests to find out why you have blood in your stools. Non-cancerous causes include polyps, peptic ulcers, gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease and haemorrhoids.

If you have a raised PSA level, a digital rectal examination is no longer usually  needed. However, your doctor may recommend blood tests to check for anaemia, kidney function, liver function and other conditions, as well as a urine test to check for a urine infection. They may also recommend a prostate MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan — depending on the results, you may need a prostate biopsy. 

Prostate cells release PSA. High PSA levels usually indicate prostate problems, such as an enlarged prostate, prostatitis or, in some cases, prostate cancer. However, high PSA levels can also be caused by a urine infection, a medical procedure on your urinary system, or even vigorous exercise before your test.

All our blood testing is carried out in UKAS-accredited or ISO-certified labs. This means they are collected and processed to the highest standards, so you can benefit from the most accurate results possible.

This blood test measures levels of a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA). This can be raised due to prostate cancer as well as other prostate conditions, such as prostatitis and an enlarged prostate. 

A blood test cannot definitively detect cancer. However, it can test for certain markers or measure blood cell numbers, which suggest an abnormality. As these changes in the blood can often be caused by other conditions, further tests are needed to confirm a cancer diagnosis. 

A blood test cannot definitely detect cancer, but it can detect an abnormality that may be caused by cancer. For example, blood tests can detect signs of blood cancers, such as leukaemia and lymphoma, by measuring changes in blood cell numbers. 

High levels of certain protein markers can be a sign of many different cancers, including ovarian, bowel, lung, prostate and breast cancer. However, solid tumours caused by cancer often do not cause detectable changes in the blood in the very early stages. 

No, a blood test cannot completely rule out cancer as cancer does not always cause changes in the blood in the early stages. 

Yes, the male screening blood test checks your levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), which can be raised by prostate cancer, as well as other prostate conditions, such as prostatitis and an enlarged prostate. 

If a cancer-related marker is raised, this will be highlighted in your blood test results. You will be advised to either speak to your NHS GP or book a private consultation with one of our experienced Vista Health GPs. They will then explain the next steps, which may include further tests and treatment planning.

If your blood test results are abnormal, this does not always mean that you have an underlying health condition. However, you will be advised to speak to a GP. Depending on your blood test results, medical history and any symptoms, your GP may then recommend more tests, such as more blood tests and/or scans. 

To help improve accuracy, avoid ejaculation and vigorous exercise, especially cycling, for 48 hours before your test. Do not take the test if you have a urine infection, as this can raise PSA levels. If you have had a recent prostate biopsy or other procedure involving the prostate or urinary tract, speak to your clinician before testing, as this may also affect the result.