Chances of having Prostate Cancer with normal PSA and DRE?

My DRE's were always normal. My PSA never went over 4, but it did jump from about 2 to 3.9 in one year, but I also am an avid bicyclist and had this happen twice before and Cipro always took care of it, but this time it didn't take it back to 2. I was the one who requested the biopsy. With all that being said I was told the odds of it being cancer before the biopsy was 5-10%. Wish I had that kind of "luck" with lottery tickets because I obviously didn't want cancer. Bottom line is you are probably fine, but there are no guarantees unfortunately.

Tom

having negative DRE's is neither a good or bad sign. I had numerous DRE's done in the 6 years proceeding my PC dx, and all of them were negative and "normal".

27% of men with PSA between 3-4 will be found to have prostate cancer; 25% will have Gleason scores≥7. You can ask for the new PHI test to help you decide if a biopsy is warranted. Here's the link to show your doctor.

- Allen

Rosk,
It probably isn't PC. As an avid cyclist myself, I would ask if you have changed your position or gotten a new bike recently? Another cause could be a rapid increase in mileage. I've had some severe back pain from cycling. It shortens your hamstrings, which pulls on your pelvis. I've found that yoga can really help with flexibility. Good luck.

Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be talking to us.

I don't know the what the published stats are but it is so hard to predict just based on the numbers. When I had my biopsy my Uro said that there was only a 20% chance I'd have PC so I wasn't that worried - just wanted it ruled out. That was a shock of a phone call when the doc called two days before he was scheduled to with the news, "You've got PC."

Hate to say it but with two brothers with PC, the deck is slightly against you but if the worst is true, you've caught it early enough that you've got a great shot at treatment.

In general, PC has no symptoms and the back ache you describe isn't anything that should make you think PC. That pain is more likely due to biking and getting to 65. Or as my doc tells me, "At your age..."

Have you talked to your doctor about your pain and PSA numbers? Best to get a real doc to weigh in on that - I am just some random guy on the internet.

Hang in there,
Andrew

I wanted to say thanks to all who responded to my post, it's much appreciated.
Rosk

I had "normal" DRE's from my GP for years, but was referred twice over a 7 year period to a urologist, after a couple of relatively high PSA readings. At that 1st referral, in 2005, the DRE was "normal" and my PSA had dropped significantly, so nothing was done.
Seven years later, in 2012, I was again referred to the urologist. His DRE comment was along the lines of "there might be something there, but it's certainly subtle". He ordered a biopsy, but commented that "75% of the time, they're negative."
No such luck for me. Gleason 9 (4+5), later "downgraded" to Gleason 7 (4+3).
Later, I asked my urologist: "How skilled is the average GP in administering and interpreting a DRE?"
He replied: "Not very".