Scared to death

Hi folks,

Well... where to start. I am 54 and in great health (I thought) I had routine blood work last week at my internist and all was good except I noticed my PSA was up at 2.6 from blood work I had done by two different life insurance companies last year. My doc sent a letter saying all looked good and if I have any issues before my next visit contact him. So I thought... oh so he doesn't know about my labs from the ins. companies. PSA= 1.4, 1/2016, PSA= .7, 4/2016. My PSA 4/6/2017 = 2.6 last week. I contacted my doc on 2 occasions letting him know what my PSA numbers were last year and both times he said insignificant. As a matter of fact the last email he sent me said "I'm not worried"! Well.. I AM! That is quite a rise IMO. I wanted to get your thoughts? My wife and I were at the lake this past weekend and I couldn't enjoy myself at all as I worries the entire time.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.... All of you really seem to have great knowledge and take the time to try to explain.

Well, you certainly need to keep an eye on it as it is increasing, but at some point if that keeps on that will indicate a need for a Bx, something you do not want unless the evidence is starting to look definitely worrisome.

The thing is, non-cancer and very common prostate issues- like enlarged prostate and/or prostatitis can cause your PSA to rise.

Are you saying that your PSA in Jan 2016 was 1.4(pretty low, "normal" range 0-4.0) and then in April 2016 it had dropped to .7? That certainly was not bad news right there, and might indicate that prostate inflammation had died down. Now the jump to 2.6 in one year is worrisome, but certainly not time to panic yet and most likely(but not for certain) is unrelated to PC, and is still a low #. But I would at least want another PSA pretty soon to see if that trend is still up. But, it might actually swing down again. BTW, in my case, mine never did anything over many years but go up, I never had a reading come in lower than a previous reading, including after treatment with antibiotics just in case it was my prostatitis flaring up. Mine actually went up in just a few weeks after taking the antibiotics, for what it is worth. Don't panic yet, plenty of time for that in the future! ;)

Do you have a Urologist?

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies....

Yes, my PSA dropped in April 2016 from Jan. 2016.. hopefully that is a good sign as I have focused primarily on the spike. My dad died from kidney cancer and my mom dies from lymphoma so I'm sure that makes me extra sensitive to cancer. How long should I wait to retest? Also should I do a free PSA?

Usually when the doctor tells you not to worry, you don't have to worry. Too bad you didn't enjoy at the lake with your wife. The urologists told my husband " I don't think you have cancer" , he didn't (have cancer) though his PSA is much higher than yours. Enjoy the spring and never trouble troubles till trouble troubles you!

Hey PSATKO,

Are you aware that ejaculation or other forms of prostate stimulation will raise PSA? Many labs are now recommending avoiding ejaculation for 24 hours (some say 48 hours) before blood draw.

Did you two enjoy a little time between the sheet the night before your PSA blood draw?
That could give you a significant spike.
From now on avoid sex before your test.
Jeff

PSATKO, chances are, you don't have PC. Period. Your PSA is below average for your age, it's not on a steady rise (say going from 1 to 2 to 4 to 6 over a 3 year period). Listen to your doctor. Get another PSA in 6 months or a year, and in the meantime, go out and enjoy life.

Folks... I really appreciate your replies. It sounds like all of you think I'm over the top with this subject. However, I did speak to a urologist at the local hospital and he admitted it was a bit concerning because they don't like seeing a spike higher than..I think .75 in a year's time. I will keep my eye on it.
Island time... a bit harsh with your response. I wasn't trying to gain sympathy.

It is normal to be concerned about these things. In Canada they don't usually request a biopsy until the PSA goes over 4. The US National cancer Institute seems to agree:

"There is no specific normal or abnormal level of PSA in the blood. In the past, most doctors considered PSA levels of 4.0 ng/mL and lower as normal. Therefore, if a man had a PSA level above 4.0 ng/mL, doctors would often recommend a prostate biopsy to determine whether prostate cancer was present."

/www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/psa-fact-sheet#q3

You may have some trace amounts of cancer as autopsies of cadavers of accident victims of men in their 50s indicate that about half of them had small amounts of clinically significant prostate cancer. Most would happily live their lives without knowing about it and die of something else.

I would suggest trying your best not to sweat it too much and use the experience as an incentive to live the healthiest lifestyle possible - healthy diet (low in red meats and high in fruits and vegetables), exercise and attempting to lower stress levels. You want to keep monitoring your PSA and I would suggest making it your goal to keep it well under 4.0. I wouldn't be rushing out for a biopsy as while it is a low-risk procedure it is not risk-free and your PSA levels are not exactly startling.

retest anytime you want. Most docs would say three months. or whenever your doc will write the test order.

avoid sex and bike riding 48 hours before.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it for a year.

Andrew

island time said...
Your PSA is so low people can't even tell if you're talking about failed treatment or not.

I can't believe you all would nurture or massage or be an accomplice to this man's fears. It's just not right. Internists make a lot of money. And I can see absolutely no reason why this one isn't spot on on this one. Maybe you all know something no one else knows?

FROGGIE: I missed your post. Good someone pointed out to "scared to death" that he shows absolute no clinical signs of Prosate Cancer. Zero. His internist is absolutely spot on.


PSATKO: (lol nice one) Follow your internists lead on this one.

Not sure who you mean by "I can't believe you all would nurture or massage or be an accomplice to this man's fears."? I think I told him not to worry about this? And that quite a few things could cause his PSA to jump round within this minor range, and that the rise was "most likely(but not for certain) is unrelated to PC"? As did most other replies appears to me.

But I do like your comment "Your PSA is so low people can't even tell if you're talking about failed treatment or not. ".

The critique from IT was not at you...good grief it was at others...tho to be honest...I didn't see a lot of enablement{ but a lot of mis information imo}there...but damm I can't see everything...I do agree it is "a tempest in a teapot" but the uro was right...increases of .75ng per year are "cautionary". Prostatitus will do that...having sex while riding a bike will not will increase psa...except in a ultra sensitive psa test....exercize will not unless it it is on a bike...weight lifting will not...to my knolwledge...Cancer is not from who you are it is from what you do are do not do...imo

No worries....IT.... Perhaps I was a little too sensitive.

Billybob, thnks for adding a bit of levity to this thread....😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂