Ben Ong

Hello all new this community. Researching PSA..5.7...68 yrs old.

Is there any value to the approach pushed by this party?

JGB, Just did a quick Google search, and this Ben Ong guy has been around for years selling prostate potions, and apparently targeting prostate cancer patients.

Forget him and follow the path for a valid diagnosis as to whether you have cancer, or, more likely, a benign prostate condition. That path would include another psa test, a free psa test, or a PHI test (even better), and a digital rectal exam (DRE). If those indicate a need for a biopsy, then that will determine if you have PCa or not. MRI's are also of great value, but usually after an initial biopsy.

The odds are that you do not have prostate cancer, but you must take the above tests to know for certain. Avoid magic pill and potions. Good luck.

Hello, JGB and welcome. Yeah, I did the Google search also and am not impressed.

As Beth said, if you will tell us a little more about yourself and your concerns perhaps some of our members can be of some real assistance.

Jim

JGB,
Thank you for giving us more about yourself. Make sure you have no sex or biking prior to your PSA test. Did you get a rectal exam as part of your physical? It might very well be time for a biopsy if the number is same or higher at retest,. But you might also go for a round of cipro to rule out infection. Maybe prior to next PSA test?
Beth

The Dr should know this, but just in case, the DRE comes after the blood draw, because that could also cause a rise in PSA. I hope it turns out that it's nothing but infection or something else, but you are wise to stay on top of it. Keep us posted.
Beth

Update...since last posting had round antibotics, began diet change .. A lot of greens something I never had much of , tomatoes, tomatoe juice, pomegranate juice, fruits, no beef, some chicken, some fish about 2 x's a week, supplements, relatively aggressive exercise program, weights, walking, jogging ,ect. Lost about 18 pounds off original 220 weight.
March PSA 5.4, June PSA 4.0.. Seems good..

Main urinary symptom still 3-4 times a night...getting up.

Thinking about 3t MRI...nothing evasive ....appt July 6th..comments?

At 68 a 4.0 is pushing envelope a tad...though if you have a big...doesn't even have to that big...to get that psa reading....Congrats oh the healthy life style change...my only concern with 3tMRI is it could become an indeterminate sentence into the alley ways of a medical system gone wild for tests for tests for tests...ad nauseaum...especially for some one who may just have BPH... An old girl friend of mine...back in the day told me ... her grandma told her... If you look hard enough for something...you will find it... my advice step back a bit get retested in another 3-6 mos...continuing on the path the new you has created for yourself...again congratulations,,,

I have had several DRE's they have always said seems normal "no problem"

JGB,

Something you may or may not clearly understand is this simple fact: PSA is not a cancer test. It is a test of prostate activity, it's like the "check engine" light on your car. It means something is going on down there, and further investigation is required.

Lots of things can cause an elevated PSA as others have noted: Infection, sex, bike riding, a DRE done within 48 hours of the blood draw.

Congrats to you for keeping tabs on your PSA over time, the trend is what matters, much more than the actual number. A certain amount of fluctuation is normal (+/- a few percent). All that being said, if you and your doctor are truly worried about whether PC is happening with you, the only definitive way to know is to have a biopsy done.

And, at your age, you have a high probability of having diagnosable prostate cancer. Past the age of 50, your odds of having PC at a low level is roughly equal to your age. The challenge, then, becomes this: what am I going to DO with that information once I get it? You're at an age point where the treat or not dilemma would hit you full force, especially if it's at a low grade.

Best of luck to you JGB, and if you do choose to get a biopsy to fully understand what might (or might not) be going on, come back here with the results and we'll work with you to understand what it means.

PS: you'll find that in this forum, a lot of us a data driven types, and we like treatments and systems that have solid, verifiable data to go with them. The kind of thing you're asking about falls into the category of snake oil for many of us--so 'trust but verify' is a valid idea for us, and if the verify part isn't there, then the trust isn't there either. Many of us have made dietary changes post-diagnosis, and many take some of the standard vitamins and supplements. And we still stay in the middle of mainstream medicine when it comes to treatment.

Oh, speaking of supplements: are you on a prostate supplement that contains saw palmetto? Saw palmetto has the effect of suppressing PSA. My urologist told me that I needed to double my PSA reading because of it. Or, stop taking it for at least a month before the next PSA. A steadily rising PSA under the influence of saw palmetto suggests that the rise is not because of BPH (old man prostate swelling).

Halbert ,

Appreciate the detailed information. Thank you very much.