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Husband, African-American, 58 with PSA 5.7 after Cipro. Worried.

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 12/10/2015 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
My husband , an African American, got his first psa at age 58 in october of this year -result was 4.4. Family doctor said his dre was normal. Gave him 10 days of Cipro and told to wait another 10 days to clear it from his system , then repeat test with results. 5.7 psa and 13 free psa. Does he likely have PC. Scared stiff!

Gave your thread a Subject. --PeterDisAbelard

Post Edited By Moderator (PeterDisAbelard.) : 12/10/2015 12:42:27 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/10/2015 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW.

Answer: Don't know and can't say. PSA isn't a test for cancer, just tells you something in the prostate needs to get checked out. Infection and enlarged prostate also can cause high PSA, which explains the Cipro.

At this point he needs to see a good URO for more testing. That's all you really know and all that can really be inferred by this test. Next step should be talking to a URO, a follow up PSA test to confirm the rise and possible other tests like the PHI (prostate health index) which measures other factors to help you and the doctor decide if a biopsy might be needed.

Even if the worst is eventually found to be true, PC is very treatable and for most is just a bump in the road of life. Treatment does change normal, and has it's side effects, but most men live to die of something else.

It's something to be tended to, but not a great worry. Yes, I know that's easy for me to say, but try to dial the worry level down. Don't ignore this, but your husband will be around for a long time.

Hang in there and keep us updated on your progress,
Andrew
Posted 12/10/2015 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Only a biopsy can tell you that. As I'm sure you're painfully aware, African-American men have higher rates of PC, higher grade PC, and are more likely to have anterior (i.e., harder to detect) tumors. But heredity is not destiny. I want to share with you that there are two African-American men in my PC support group who are brothers - one has metastatic PC, while the other has an insignificant, indolent case that he has been comfortably monitoring for two years now without any sign of progression. I know all sorts of scenarios go through one's head, but all one can really do is take it as it comes.

- Allen
Posted 12/10/2015 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Mikeslady-

Glad you found this forum and sorry you have to visit. Lot's of good advice and experience here. Right now you got some concerning news, but don't let it drive your crazy. You are doing all the right things by getting information and making informed decisions. The Cipro with follow up was a good start. Don't be afraid to ask for second opinions and get further testing. A biopsy is really the only way to tell, but at this point don't be in a rush to do anything. Consult with your doc and set up a plan and discuss what to do at each step. That can go a long way toward easing the way you feel right now.

Let us know how things are going.
Hawk
Posted 12/10/2015 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
MikesLady,

Welcome to the forum. As others have said it is time for him to see a urologist to see what's going on with him. Lots of guys with your husband's numbers get a clean bill of health from their urologist so it's not a sure thing that he has prostate cancer. But he might and that's worth checking out.

If it turns out that he does have it he will have time to examine his options. Much of the damage that prostate cancer does to men's lives can be blamed on men's tendency to run off in all directions with their hair on fire when they hear the word "cancer" and demand treatments that have side effects that are worse than the disease. Prostate Cancer is usually a slow-moving disease and, in the event he is diagnosed he will have time to talk to several doctors before he makes any decisions. And, of course, we'll be here not matter what.

Keep us posted and let us know if you need help worrying. We have some expert worriers here who would be glad to take over worrying for you if you need a break.
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