Questions and Answers

There is currently no evidence to suggest that the Prostate Cancer gene 3 (PCA3) Score is affected by recent ejaculation. PCA3 is only produced by prostate cancer cells; in other words, it is prostate cancer specific. Unlike prostate specific antigen (PSA), PCA3 is not affected by non-cancerous prostate conditions such as a benign enlargement or infection of the prostate or by procedures which put pressure on the prostate such as bicycling, a digital rectal examination (DRE) or ejaculation.

For determination of the PCA3 Score, 20-30 mL of first void urine must be collected after a digital rectal examination (DRE) (see also: PCA3 background information). This helps to ensure that enough prostate cells are released into the urine for PCA3 analysis. The higher the PCA3 Score, the higher the probability that cancer cells will be found in a biopsy. It is unlikely that the number of prostate cancer cells shed into the urine after a DRE will be affected by prior ejaculation.