Concerns About Home PSA Testing

News Release - 24 June 2026

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is urging men to think twice before relying on home PSA testing kits, warning they can provide false reassurance or cause unnecessary anxiety if results are misunderstood.

With prostate cancer back in the spotlight following Jeremy Clarkson's recent announcement about his diagnosis and treatment, the Foundation says many men are asking how they can detect the disease early.

While that increased awareness is welcome, experts caution that home PSA testing kits are not a substitute for talking to a GP and understanding an individual's risk factors. The warning comes following the Government's decision not to fund a prostate cancer screening pilot in Budget 2026, with the Foundation concerned some men may look to home testing kits as an alternative.

With prostate cancer remaining the country's most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, the Foundation is concerned that growing awareness of the disease, combined with limited access to structured screening pathways, may encourage some men to turn to home testing kits and direct-to-consumer services as an alternative.

Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ Chief Executive Peter Dickens said while home PSA tests may appear attractive because of their cost, convenience and privacy, they are not a substitute for clinically supervised prostate cancer screening.

"The Government's decision not to invest in a prostate cancer screening pilot is deeply disappointing. Every year more than 700 New Zealand men die from prostate cancer, yet we continue to delay the implementation of a structured programme that could help identify cancers earlier and save lives.

"At the same time, we are concerned some men may see home PSA testing as the answer. While these tests may seem convenient, prostate cancer screening is far more complex than a single test result. Without appropriate medical guidance, there is a real risk of unnecessary anxiety, false reassurance and missed opportunities for early diagnosis."

The Foundation does not support or promote at-home PSA testing or services that sit outside established clinical pathways.

International guidelines, including those followed by New Zealand urologists, are clear that PSA testing should not be undertaken in isolation. PSA is a risk marker that must be interpreted alongside factors such as age, family history, ethnicity, prostate size, medications, existing health conditions and previous PSA results.

A single home test result cannot provide this context.

The Foundation says unsupervised testing may increase harm rather than reduce it because men do not receive the informed discussion recommended by clinical guidelines around false positives, false negatives, over-diagnosis and over-treatment.

It is also concerned that some home testing products rely on PSA thresholds that no longer reflect modern best practice. Current approaches increasingly use age-adjusted risk assessment, family history, genetic risk factors and follow-up investigations, rather than relying on a single PSA number.

"A normal result from a home test does not necessarily mean a man is free from clinically significant prostate cancer, while a mildly elevated result can create unnecessary worry and lead to investigations that may not be needed," Mr Dickens said.

The Foundation says effective prostate cancer screening is not simply about taking a test. It requires a structured, clinically supervised pathway that ensures accurate interpretation, appropriate follow-up and access to additional investigations where required.

Mr Dickens said the Foundation's concern was that without a nationally funded screening programme, some men may delay seeking professional medical advice and instead rely on home testing options.

"What we don't want is men avoiding the healthcare system altogether or believing a single home test gives them a definitive answer. The best first step is a conversation with your GP about your personal risk and whether PSA testing is right for you."

The Prostate Cancer Foundation encourages men to discuss PSA testing with their doctor from:

• Age 50 for all men.
• Age 45 for men with close male relatives who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• Age 40 for men who know or believe they carry the BRCA2 gene mutation, or who have a strong family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer or Lynch Syndrome in their family.

"Early detection remains one of the most effective tools we have for reducing deaths from prostate cancer. The challenge is ensuring men have access to evidence-based screening pathways and appropriate medical advice, rather than trying to navigate these decisions alone."

"What New Zealand needs is a properly funded, evidence-based screening programme, not more reliance on stand-alone testing options."

The Prostate Cancer Foundation continues to call on the Government to invest in a prostate cancer screening pilot and develop a national approach to early detection that reflects international best practice.