Newbie Question: First PSA ; should I get a Biopsy?

Selmer,

For a man who just plain does not want to know one way or another you sure do toss them statistics into the ring pretty often. I think you do care but, you're afraid to find out. If ya didn't (for a man who hasn't got cancer) I cannot imagine you'd be hangin around in here.

Much of what you write is taken out of context or selective to suit what you choose or need to believe. This screams fear in my humble opinion. Still, I believe this is your right. It is your body. I hope you're right and ya live a long, long healthy life...the alternative is too sad to think about.

Swim

Scotty,

I can only tell you what I did. After a 2 point jump in my PSA in a year (5 - 7) and a suspicious DRE my family doc sent me to a urologist who ordered a biopsy. It came back non conclusive so he ordered another which came back positive. I only did what the professionals that I was paying told me to do. No big deal.

My family doc gave me some very good advice which I use to this day. He said, "Our job is to do the tests and interpret the results. Your job is to not worry until we tell you to." He has saved my life twice through early detection followed by aggressive treatment. Cancer doesn't seem to follow any rules. Some grows slowly and some can take you out quickly. Why risk it?

Do what your doc says. The biopsy will not mess anything up. If he orders one, it will ease your mind one way or the other.

Something else to muddy the water:  prostate cancer is often accompanied by prostatitis.  Mine was.  I got the biopsy and am glad I did. Now I focus on diet and exercise to avoid recurrence and to help prevent other cancers.

ScottyMo said...
Bikder90, ziggy,
Do I take you to mean that you would take the Biospy and forget about waiting 2 weeks for the PSA test; or just after the next PSA test regardless of the result.

as much as you seem to be panicking about this I would have the biopsy done so you have a better idea what's going on. For example I was sent to a urologist more because of a DRE than my psa . My Psa then was 2.3 a friend of mine ranges from 4-6 on his Psa. He's had 2 negative biopsies since while my first came back positive. That said early detection made my Pca ideal for the TFT clinical study I had done. Don't be so early to choose any treatment if you find you need to without more study as to it effects on you, your family and lifestyle. I go for my next quarterly Psa a week from tomorrow but so far my psa dropped about 80% the last time. You may not know much about TFT but I still have a functioning prostate, complete urinary control and better by the day erections along with wet orgasms. One of the reasons for the testing of TFT is a belief by the urologists at the University of Colorado hospital that since Pca detection has ballooned so much in recent years, that there has been a wave of over treatment for it. As breast cancer went toward more lumpectomies than mastectomies, so I think tft will do compared to radical surgical and radiation prostate treatments. But I digress as I said to put your mind more at ease have the biopsy done, it's not that big a deal. By the next day you'll feel fine.

Yes, early detection is key;  I am a week away from my next PSA and starting to get nervous..It was a nice week, I didnt think about it too much.

I have a question for some input. I have only posted once but I am now dealing with the same issues. I have been fighting with up and down PSA 5.9 in winter 08, did a course of Cipro (4 weeks) and it dropped to 3.6. Went back up to 5.6 in August 08 at a life exam. on a retest it went to 4.5 with a fPSA of 7. Went to the urologist yesterday and apparently there is alot of confusion regarding the believability of the PSA's (their opinion). My one major concern along with the biopsy they scheduled me for on the 20th, is there was NO pain on DRE. They commented that one side was enlarged but didn't give me any more info. I am assuming it is not an itis since there was no pain.  Any input would help. I turn 50 on the 28th would prefer a forget about it birthday present from the biopsy Thanks

Thanks. Any ideas about the absence of pain on DRE and onesided enlargment?

I had recurring bouts of prostatitis for 10 years before cancer diagnosis and can say that the more severe the case of prostatitis, the more pain and discomfort from the DRE, which I got each time I was treated. I had a grossly enlarged prostate at surgery (110 grams wt.) and the last few years before surgery the DRE's were becoming more uncomfortable, with or without prostatitis.

As I read this thread of notes, I am reminded why I appreciate this PCa forum. There are many opinions and all of them are helpful...in their own ways. So let me add my story for both Scotty and HRD2. Couple of years ago, my PSA increased to 4 and my primary doc sent me to urologist who performed biopsy. No cancer. PSA went down and then back up and again, and i had 2nd biopsy 1 yr later. No PCa. Another spike in PSA in Aug of this year and had third biopsy, and cancer was detected. Now, i am beginning process of considering treatment.

I read in your note fear of the biopsy. I completely understand. But, trust me, the fear should not be with the test. I will be very honest and tell you that i hated hated hated the test, but i am so very glad that i followed my doctor's advice and got the test. For couple of years, I could completely forget about PCa. The test gave the confirmation that everything was sort of ok. Without the test, I would not have known.

The DRE and PSA are important, but without more extensive testing provided by the biopsy, you just won't know for sure.

Now if you want to talk about gimmicks to survive the biopsy, let me know. I've gotten to be a bit of pro at taking it.

Now that I know for sure that I have PCa, I can start thinking about treatment. It would have been completely useless and counter-productive to think about treatment before getting the confirmation. I saved myself and family and friends this angst.

My advice added to all of the other advice you've gotten here: give yourself a breather and get the test. Be careful not to pre-judge the results before you get them (easier said than done....but essential to your mental health). With the information you get, you will then be able to know what is the next set of questions to consider.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best.

A biopsy isn't the worst thing that could ever happen. Neither is turning 50. Do both..I did and today I'm 52.


Paul

As for the biopsy, I suspect that 100 years from now, somebody will talk the barbarism of our time...and they will be right. BUT, it is what it is. So you know the detail of the test from what you have read. I won't repeat those. I suspect that during the test, some nurse or somebody will say "relax", and you will want to scream an obscenity or laugh. But it is the truth, you have to relax during the exam. The first two times i had the exam, they gave me no anesthesia...said that was the way it was administered. Since this is a family website, i'll clean up my language so...EXPLETIVE EXPLETIVE!!! The third time, some new insights suggested that anesthsia was important...i'll say it is.

Talk to your doc about some drug to relax you...valium or something. Take it ahead of time. Remember not to tighten up when they insert the probe. Tightening up actually tenses up the muscles and will make it hurt more. Take deep breaths....Start practicing now. You will forget when you get in the exam room...so start practicing now. Deep breathing exercises may help you to start calming down now . Hopefully, during the exam, you will have a nurse or doc that has a nasty or morbid or stupid sense of humor...there are are all kind of butt jokes that will make you concentrate on something else besides the probe. If you are not so lucky, tell your own jokes or try humming out loud or pray or think about your family or somebody important in your life. You will feel varying amounts of pressure as they take the core samples, and as they adjust the probe. I promise that you will be ok. Remember my words: YOU WILL BE OK

When it is over, clean your self and go home. Plan to do something fun for the rest of the day...no heavy lifting...Read a book, go to a movie, look at Tv, watch the sunset...whatever turns you on. Write an entry on this website about your experience. We will all understand and appreciate your ordeal. You will have considerable blood in your stood, urine and ejaculant for a while. This will go away eventually.

Here's the good news...every guy on this website has had the test, and everbody has survived it. YOU WILL TOO.

I've had three biopsies...and never had any problems. As i stated in earlier post, there is blood, but no problems otherwise. There was also some discomfort from squeezing too hard against the probe. This is why you should TRY and relax when the probe is in you. By #3, i was not fightening the probe eithier in my mind or my butt, and there were no muscle tension problems. I also followed my doc's instructions in taking antibiotics to prevent infection. No problem with ejaculating. Piece of cake!