STOCKHOLM3
A Stockholm3 test in Kingston combines five protein biomarkers, over 100 genetic markers and your clinical information into a single prostate cancer risk score. It is more accurate than a standard PSA test for clinically significant prostate cancer and is designed for men aged 45 to 74 who want a clearer answer than PSA alone provides.
Reviewed by Dr Maryam Attarzadeh, Medical Director at KONCEPT® Medical Clinic (GMC 7193218). All Stockholm3 requests at the clinic are reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor for clinical suitability before booking is confirmed.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. The numbers below give context for why a more accurate, lower-biopsy testing pathway has clinical value, and why men in the at-risk age range often want a clearer answer than a single PSA result can provide. These figures are presented as context, not as a prediction of any individual's risk.
All figures are sourced and dated above. Lifetime risk for men of Black ethnic background is higher than the population average and is recognised by Prostate Cancer UK and NHS England.
The Stockholm3 test is a prostate cancer risk score developed at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. It is not a single blood marker. It is a structured risk score that combines three different sources of information about your prostate cancer risk:
Five protein markers measured in your blood sample, including PSA (total PSA and free PSA) and other prostate-related proteins. This part of the panel uses more information than a PSA test alone.
Over 100 genetic variants linked in published research to prostate cancer risk. This is a one-off measurement, not something that needs to be repeated.
Age, family history of prostate cancer, previous prostate biopsy results and use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (for example, finasteride or dutasteride). The Stockholm3 model accounts for these.
The three inputs are combined by the Stockholm3 model into a single risk score that estimates your individual probability of clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason score 7 or higher). The score is reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor at the clinic with you, alongside any other clinical findings.
Stockholm3 was developed and validated in men aged 50 to 69 in the original Swedish population study (STHLM3, Lancet Oncology 2015), and has since been validated in multicentre studies in men aged 45 to 74. It is most clinically useful in three groups of men.
Particularly men in this age range who have a family history of prostate cancer, or who are of Black ethnic background where lifetime risk is higher (1 in 4, per Prostate Cancer UK), or who simply want a more informative risk assessment than PSA alone provides.
If a recent PSA result is borderline, raised or unclear, Stockholm3 can refine the risk picture before any decision about MRI or biopsy. Published evidence shows Stockholm3 reduces unnecessary biopsies vs PSA alone.
Father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer, especially if diagnosed under 60. A 30-minute discussion at the clinic is a good way to interpret what your family history means for your screening choices.
Stockholm3 can help your clinician decide whether multiparametric MRI or biopsy is the next step. The score is one input alongside PSA history, examination findings, family history and shared decision making.
If you are on finasteride or dutasteride for prostate enlargement or hair loss, your PSA reading is affected. The Stockholm3 model accounts for this, which is one practical advantage over a standard PSA in isolation.
One blood draw, one combined risk score, with a written outcome note reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor. Useful for men who would rather have a more informative answer than a single PSA number.
Who Stockholm3 is not for: men under 45 (outside validated range), men already diagnosed with prostate cancer (the test is for risk assessment in men without a current diagnosis), and men with acute urinary symptoms or other red flags that need urgent assessment rather than risk screening (see the red-flag note below).
The Stockholm3 risk score is not an emergency assessment. If you have any of the following, contact your NHS GP urgently, call NHS 111, or attend A&E:
A standard PSA test measures one protein in your blood. Stockholm3 uses PSA plus four other proteins, over 100 genetic variants, and your clinical information in a single risk score. In the published STHLM3 study (Lancet Oncology 2015), the Stockholm3 model performed significantly better than PSA alone for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason score 7 or higher).
| Standard PSA test | Stockholm3 test | |
|---|---|---|
| What is measured | One protein (PSA) | 5 proteins, 100+ genetic markers, clinical inputs |
| Output | A single PSA number | A combined prostate cancer risk score |
| Affected by 5-alpha reductase inhibitors | Yes | Accounted for in the model |
| Affected by recent ejaculation, exercise, infection | Yes | PSA component still affected; the model interprets in context |
| Genetic risk reflected | No | Yes (over 100 published prostate cancer SNPs) |
| Family history reflected | No (separate clinical assessment) | Yes, in the score |
| Published evidence on biopsy reduction | n/a (single marker) | 44% fewer biopsies vs PSA alone in STHLM3, keeping 0.95 sensitivity for clinically significant cancer |
| Suggested age range | Per NICE CKS, NHS | 45 to 74 (per published validation) |
| All-in price at KONCEPT® | From £65 (PSA) or included in the Men's Sexual Health panel | £538 (£499 test fee + £39 administration fee) |
Stockholm3 is one tool in the prostate cancer risk pathway and is not a substitute for clinical assessment, examination or imaging. The result is interpreted by a GMC-registered doctor with you, alongside PSA history, family history and examination findings. For NHS first-line guidance on PSA and prostate cancer, see NICE CKS Prostate Cancer and NHS Prostate Cancer.
There are three sensible routes into the test, depending on whether you want the Stockholm3 result on its own, want a doctor to discuss the result with you in detail, or want a fuller men's-health review around it.
Book the Stockholm3 test online (Medesk), by phone on 020 8129 1011, or in person. A GMC-registered doctor reviews each request for clinical suitability before booking is confirmed.
You complete a short clinical questionnaire covering age, family history of prostate cancer, previous PSA or prostate biopsy results, and any prostate-affecting medication (5-alpha reductase inhibitors). These clinical inputs feed the Stockholm3 model.
A single venous blood sample is taken at the clinic at 46-48 Wood Street, Kingston. Fasting is not required. The visit takes around 15 minutes.
Your sample is processed at the Stockholm3 accredited laboratory. The five protein biomarkers, genetic markers and clinical inputs are combined into a single risk score.
The score is reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor and a written outcome note is sent securely by email. Turnaround is typically 10 to 14 working days; the clinic will tell you if your result will take longer.
If you have booked Tier 2 (with GP consultation) or Tier 3 (with Wellman Check), your score is discussed in person or by video at the follow-up. With your consent, your result is shared with your NHS GP.
NHS general practice provides excellent core medical care for many men, including PSA-led prostate cancer assessment under NICE CKS Prostate Cancer and the NHS Prostate Cancer pathway. The Stockholm3 test at KONCEPT® is designed to complement, not replace, that pathway. It is most useful for men who want a more informative risk score than PSA alone, or whose risk picture is unclear from PSA alone.
| NHS pathway | Stockholm3 at KONCEPT® | |
|---|---|---|
| First-line assessment | PSA blood test, examination and shared decision making (see NICE CKS) | Stockholm3 risk score combining PSA, additional protein markers, genetic markers and clinical inputs |
| Referral | Two-week-wait suspected cancer pathway where indicated | Onward NHS or private referral arranged where clinically appropriate |
| 5-alpha reductase inhibitors | PSA interpreted with caveats | Accounted for in the Stockholm3 model |
| Genetic risk reflected | Family history considered separately | Over 100 prostate cancer SNPs in the score |
| Result interpretation | NHS GP, subject to local availability | GMC-registered doctor at KONCEPT®, with NHS GP liaison on consent |
| Cost | NHS-funded | £538 all-in (£499 test + £39 administration fee) |
The NHS continues to provide excellent core care for prostate cancer assessment and treatment. KONCEPT® is designed to complement, not replace, NHS care, and encourages continued NHS GP involvement and onward sharing of clinical information with your consent. NHS pathway availability varies by region, specialty, clinical urgency and provider; check current first-line options on NICE CKS and with your NHS GP.
The clinic sits at 46-48 Wood Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1UW, a short walk from Kingston station. Men book the Stockholm3 test from Kingston upon Thames itself and from Surbiton, Norbiton, Hampton Wick, Kingston Riverside, New Malden, Richmond, Teddington, Wimbledon, the wider KT and SW postcodes, and the surrounding South West London area. Same / next-day, Saturday and out-of-hours blood-draw appointments are subject to availability at the time of booking; the laboratory turnaround for the Stockholm3 score itself is 10 to 14 working days.
Includes PSA as a screening adjunct alongside testosterone, SHBG, prolactin, thyroid and metabolic markers. Useful when symptoms cross prostate, hormone and metabolic axes.
Total and free testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH, prolactin. Useful alongside Stockholm3 if symptoms include low libido or fatigue.
30-min personalised GP consultation, examination and written plan. 10% off any Men's Blood Test (including Stockholm3) if the GP identifies a clinical need.
30-min GP appointment at £149 to discuss your Stockholm3 result in detail, with onward referral arranged where appropriate.
Three ways to book. Online booking is fastest; phone is useful if you would like to discuss timing or the test pathway with the clinic team first.
The Stockholm3 test is a prostate cancer risk score developed at the Karolinska Institute. It combines 5 protein biomarkers measured in your blood, over 100 genetic markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms), and your clinical information (age, family history, previous prostate biopsy, use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors) into a single risk score. The score estimates your individual probability of clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason 7 or higher) and is reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor at the clinic.
Stockholm3 was developed and validated in men aged 50 to 69 in the original Swedish population study (STHLM3, Lancet Oncology 2015) and has since been validated in multicentre studies in men aged 45 to 74. It is most clinically useful in men in this age range, particularly those with a family history of prostate cancer, those of Black ethnic background where lifetime risk is higher, or those with a borderline or unclear PSA history.
A standard PSA test measures one protein in your blood. Stockholm3 uses PSA plus four other proteins, over 100 genetic markers, and your clinical information in a single risk score. In the published STHLM3 study (Lancet Oncology 2015), Stockholm3 performed significantly better than PSA alone for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason 7 or higher), and was associated with 44% fewer unnecessary biopsies while maintaining a sensitivity of 0.95.
The test fee is £499, plus a £39 administration fee per visit, totalling £538 all-in. If the test is recommended at a Wellman Check at the clinic, you receive 10% off the test fee.
The Stockholm3 risk score is typically returned in 10 to 14 working days from the date your sample is processed by the laboratory. The clinic will let you know if your result will take longer.
No fasting is required for the Stockholm3 test. If you are on a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (finasteride or dutasteride), let the clinic know at booking; the model accounts for this. If you have had recent ejaculation, vigorous exercise, a urinary infection or a recent prostate procedure, the PSA component of the score can be affected and the clinic will advise on timing.
No. You can book the Stockholm3 test directly online, by phone or in person. A GMC-registered doctor at the clinic reviews each request for clinical suitability before the appointment is confirmed. With your consent, your result is shared with your NHS GP after the test.
No. Stockholm3 is a risk score, not a diagnosis. A higher score indicates a higher probability of clinically significant prostate cancer and may lead to a recommendation for multiparametric MRI or biopsy. A lower score helps reduce unnecessary further investigation. The result is interpreted by a GMC-registered doctor in the context of your PSA history, family history and clinical findings.
A higher risk score typically prompts a discussion about the next step, which may be a multiparametric MRI of the prostate and, depending on imaging findings, a targeted biopsy. The doctor reviewing your result will discuss the appropriate pathway with you and can arrange onward NHS or private referral. The Stockholm3 score is one input in a shared decision, not a directive on its own.
A lower risk score reduces the likelihood that further investigation such as MRI or biopsy is needed at this time. The doctor will discuss when, if at all, to consider repeat assessment based on your age, family history and risk profile. A low Stockholm3 result is not a guarantee that prostate cancer will not develop in future; clinical guidance still applies and any new symptoms should be reviewed.
Yes. PSA in isolation is harder to interpret on 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) because these medications reduce PSA levels. The Stockholm3 model accounts for current 5-ARI use as part of the clinical input, which is one practical advantage over PSA alone in men taking these medications for prostate enlargement or hair loss.
If a father or brother has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, particularly under age 60, Stockholm3 can be a useful part of your personal risk assessment. The genetic component of the score reflects published prostate cancer risk variants, and the clinical input captures your family history directly. A 30-minute discussion with a GP at the clinic (Tier 2 or Tier 3) helps interpret what your family history means for the next step.
Stockholm3 is a blood-based risk score; multiparametric MRI is an imaging study of the prostate. They are complementary, not competing tests. A common pathway is to use the Stockholm3 score to decide whether multiparametric MRI is appropriate, and the MRI findings to decide whether a targeted biopsy is appropriate. The doctor reviewing your Stockholm3 result will explain whether MRI is the right next step for you.
No. The free PSA test is a single additional protein marker. Stockholm3 includes PSA, free PSA, three further protein markers, over 100 genetic markers, and your clinical information, combined into a single risk score by the Stockholm3 model. It is a more comprehensive risk score than a PSA / free PSA combination.
Yes, with your consent. The clinic shares the result and any onward recommendation with your NHS GP to keep your records current and your care coordinated.
Yes. All test requests, results and records are handled in line with the clinic's privacy policy, GDPR and the clinic's clinical-records procedures. Information is only shared with your NHS GP or other clinicians with your explicit consent.
References and sources
In summary, the Stockholm3 test at KONCEPT® Medical Clinic in Kingston is a doctor-led prostate cancer risk score that combines five protein biomarkers, over 100 genetic markers and your clinical information into a single result. It is most useful for men aged 45 to 74 who want a more informative risk picture than PSA alone, and is available on its own, with a GP consultation, or inside a Wellman Check. It is designed to complement, not replace, your NHS prostate cancer care.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. The Stockholm3 test is a prostate cancer risk score, not a diagnosis. It is interpreted by a GMC-registered doctor at a CQC-registered clinic, alongside your PSA history, family history and examination findings. KONCEPT® is designed to complement, not replace, the care you receive from your NHS GP. Same / next-day blood-draw appointments are subject to availability; laboratory turnaround for the Stockholm3 score itself is 10 to 14 working days.