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To Those Diagnosed At An Early Age

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Posted 7/29/2017 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
I've seen a few posts lately from guys who have been diagnosed at an early age - in their 40's or earlier.

Wonder if you have been diagnosed at an early age - say 50 or younger - if you can share what led to your diagnosis. Were you experiencing symptoms or did an elevated PSA level or the result of a doctor DRE lead to investigation?
Posted 7/29/2017 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed at 48 ( 3 months back). Frequent urge to urinate led me to the urologist.
Dre was positive - Firm and nodular on right side.
PSA was 4.45 - gave me Cipro for a week and PSA dropped to 3.2 ( different lab).
Never had a PSA before that - I wish I did or I wish the primary care doc ordered one for me when I turned 45. I had thinning of the stream for almost 5 years prior and had seen a Cleveland clinic urologist -he did not give me the PSA test at that time. Later I got a letter in the mail from Cleveland clinic informing me that the urologist I saw was fired ( they gave no explanation). I should have followed up with another URO but I didnt - and here I am.
Posted 7/29/2017 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Dx at 39. Went to my Family doc mainly for some testicle discomfort from a water cyst. Also had very mild ED symptom. For some reason he threw in a PSA with my bloodwork before a testicle ultrasound. Came in high 4.9 or something. I ignored his very casual warning to check it out further with a urologist. After all, I was "only 38" and heard biopsy was dangerous etc etc... Went to urologst a year later and it still high at 5.1. Ordered biopsy for my bad news.
Posted 7/29/2017 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed at 48. Went to GP complaining about low energy level, slight depression, inability to concentrate. Diagnosed with low T. Doc was smart enough to also call for a PSA test. Elevated PSA eventually resulted in biopsy, the rest is history.

I have a nephew that in his 20's has low T - I have offered to pay for a baseline PSA test for him at 35, 40, and 45 if it is not covered. I believe there is a connection between low T and PCa. I am concerned for him.

Jeff
Posted 7/31/2017 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
While I wasnt in my 40's, as my signature says, I was (only) 53. For me, it was a simple annual physical PSA screen. No symptoms, no nothing. Doc says "hey, I see you havent had a PSA test run in a couple years, so lets run one". My previous primary doc didnt believe in them even though my PSA had been climbing up the 2's a few years before, so we stopped. Well, now I'm getting a number in the high 4's and my doc says "ok, lets run another test in a month or so just to make sure youre not dealing with something else that could cause an artificially high number". The next test comes in at 5.0. Next thing Im at a uro's office for a biopsy, and we're off to Mayo for a second opinion, and off to the races.
Posted 7/31/2017 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
I was 51 at DX, not exactly young, but not that old either. It was during a full physical and my doctor was asking me some routine cancer screening questions to judge my risk factors. Six months earlier my brother had RP for G7 PC. When my doc heard this, she added PSA to the blood test sheet.

It came back high for my age so she ordered a retest. It came back higher. Referred to urology where the urologist reviewed and based on family history and the rising PSA, he recommended biopsy.

I've been posting here ever since,
Andrew
Posted 7/31/2017 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
I'd been seeing my primary care doc for a couple of years. Never even really had a 'regular doc' before as I was rarely sick and would go to the urgent care if I felt too badly. I'll never forget the first time I saw him for an exam, I was in my early/mid 40s and mentioned my haphazard attitude regarding doctor visits, and he said, "No, you should be seeing _someone_ regularly at your age." OK, so I did. Those words still sink in. As I had a cholesterol and blood pressure issue, I was seeing him every 6 months for a 'med check' and having my prescriptions re-submitted to the pharmacy. I literally turned 50 about 3 weeks before my appointment with him, when he said, "Well, you're 50 now, so I'll go ahead and order a PSA test along with your regular tests." Umm...OK. Whatever that means! PSA 4.85 and off to the uro. No symptoms and uro's DRE was negative, as was the first Bx. I was eventually diagnosed at 51-1/2 after my second Bx and second uro.

Makes me wonder sometimes where I'd be if my wife hadn't been nagging me about seeing a doctor (now, I nag her to go!).

P.S., this is also why these non-urology professionals recommending against PSA screening in many cases kind of ticks me off!

MD
Posted 7/31/2017 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
DX'd at 54 but rising PSA since first PSA test at age 49.

Age PSA
49 4.0
52 7.6
54 20.6

I got up once a night to pee, other than that no symptoms except ejaculate volume was significantly less. Thought I was just getting older.
Posted 7/31/2017 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed 2 weeks ago at 40. I went to the Dr. because I had some blood in my urine. At first they thought it was nothing. Had a CT scan showed nothing. Was referred to a urologist, did a PSA was 6.5. The retest went up to 6.96 and then I got a UTI. Put me on 2 weeks of antibiotics, did a retest that came back at 7.5. Had a biopsy done and here I am.
Posted 7/31/2017 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
age 46 difficult and frequent urination led my GP to order PSA, came back 5.9.
Sent to urologist for DRE and PSA...still high.
The cipro for a month followed by re-test, still high so subsequent biopsy found G6 small volume (later reclassified by Bostwick Labs to 3+4).
3.5 years of AS before slightly more cancer found on saturation biopsy, and re-read of biopsy slides by Bostwick .
Posted 7/31/2017 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I was simply having PSA test from about 40, due to paternal prostate cancer (highly correlated for offspring). by 43 it was rising, no symptoms. by 47/48 it was 6.5/7.5 so did the biopsy, but they found nothing. (they didn't read the MRI correctly as they went BACK to the prior year MRI and it was clear there was prostate cancer. Follow up biopsy located the tumor/s 3+3, 3+4. Did surgery.

had no symptoms prior, no urinary, stream, blockage or ED issues.
Posted 7/31/2017 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
diagnosed at age 41. No symptoms. I was on Androgel for one year for low testosterone before diagnosis, that's probably what caused it for me.
Posted 8/1/2017 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hello , first post to the site. I am 48 and dx about 3 months ago. Father had PC and he made me go get my baseline about 1.5 yrs ago. No symptoms at all, psa initially 2.3 , year later 5.9 then down to 5.3, biopsy and 4 cores positive. 2 at 6 and 2 at 4 plus 3. T1c, Still trying to figure out the best treatment. Having a hard time navigating between brachy and surgery. Lots of different opinions. Going to decide in the next 2 weeks and get it done.
Posted 8/1/2017 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hubby might have been diagnosed in his late 40's but wasn't. Went to the doc with hip pain (he has a high threshold for pain) and they diagnosed as arthritis. Gave him a steroid shot and sent him on his way. Went in again a few years later, same results. Now we know it was a met on his hip bone causing the pain. Diagnosed at 56 years of age only because insurance company required cholesterol check. His was high, went to the doc, who decided to do a PSA and DRE. PSA 75 at diagnosis.
Posted 8/1/2017 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
During a diverticulitis episode in the emergency room a doctor with very long fingers did a quick prostate check and found a nodule. I told him my PCP recently checked and felt nothing.... So a month later went to another Doc and he also felt something.... off we went...
Posted 8/2/2017 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all who posted.

A small sample with varying histories. Some dx'd with symptoms, some dx'd without symptoms as they are checked due to family histories (as I was). And some dx'd without symptoms and without family histories after a routine PSA screening.

It's not the standard everywhere throughout the world and getting controversial here, but I come down on the side of PSA testing for all men. Probably at an earlier age where there is a family history, but without a family history or other risk factors I still think there is a time to start this.

Post Edited (Works Out) : 8/2/2017 9:14:52 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/12/2017 2:26 PM (GMT 0)

Hello!

I think this is a valuable topic ...

I was diagnosed in my 40s ...

Urinary frequency led me to a clinic ...

At my request, a PSA test was conducted. The clinic doctor felt I was being overzealous in requesting that, but something told me it was needed.

The PSA results came back, showing a PSA of over 100 ... this led to a biopsy, which confirmed a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

From there, a series of MRI tests, CT scans, bone scans, and ... in my case ... a lung tissue biopsy, which confirmed the presence of metastatic prostate cancer that had also infiltrated both of my lungs.

In my case, treatments began IMMEDIATELY ... no time to lose, no time to waste.

Fortunately, the first step in my treatments --- ADT hormone shots --- brought my PSA down to single digits within one month ... and from there, down to decimal levels ~ for which I felt very fortunate.

From there, my oncologist suggested the "early chemo" plan when it was first recommended ... and then we added ZYTIGA to my course of treatments. A series of radiation treatments also helped me maintain my health goals, as well!

Stay vigilant in your health --- stay informed --- stay proactive --- encourage other fellows to do the same!

Sent with my best,
CYCLONE ~ Iowa State University
Posted 8/12/2017 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
I had slight testicular pain. I hadn't seen a doctor in. Maybe a decade or more, but after a few months thought to get it checked out. Dr said it could be any number of things and ordered full lab work. Provider doesn't usual auth psa tests until 50, but he ordered nonetheless. There was a chance of prostatitis, so cipro was scripted, and referral to urologist (Who did a vasectomy on me a few years ago). PSA can in at 4 or 5. Uro said, it's probably not cancer, lest test again, and be sure to abstain. Test came in 4 or 5, so next visit, a DRE. He said an enlarged prostate may cause an elevated PSA, but size was normal, so he scheduled a biopsy. When the nurse called a couple of days later to schedule me to come in to get the results, I was a bit worried. It is a difficult moment when your doctor tells you you have cancer.

The testicular ultrasound was neg. The only symptom that possibly could have been tied to PCa was I had slight leakage at the end of urinating. This is not necessarily a sign of PCa, but in hindsight, I think it was related. Now, without a prostate, my stream is much stronger, so I think it is possible, in my uneducated opinion, the tumor was constricting flow.
Posted 8/12/2017 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed at 44. And for me it was chance.

I was in my primary care physicians office when he suggested that I never had a full physical. I had never even heard of a PSA test. My wife and I were wanting to have another child but a series of miscarries and slight ED when he decided to check the PSA box as a diagnostic tool and not a screening. My PSA was around 20. That was almost 11 years ago.
Posted 8/12/2017 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed 2 weeks before my 50th, so technically I qualify I guess. My dad died of metastatic PCa in '97 so I'd been getting PSA's and DRE's for several years. I'd skipped going in 2014 because work and let's be honest - it doesn't take a lot to talk a guy out of going in for that exam. So in 2015 I said I can't put this off again and went in. Doc asks if he'd ever said anything about a node on my gland, to which I told him no and he just said matter-of-factly "okay, let's schedule a biopsy". He was out 2 weeks doing charity work in Africa before the biopsy (honorable thing for him to do but his timing was horrible for me! LOL). Anyway, biopsy came back G7 (4+3) so of course I opted for surgery. Was referred to Dr. Brian Miles here at Houston Methodist (I highly recommend him, btw) and had surgery end of April. Tumor was actually upgraded to G8 (4+4) but everything else was great - margins, SNI, etc. - but the cancer had grown right up next to the capsule so Dr. Miles looked at me in the post surgery path meeting and said "If we'd waited 6 months this would have been problematic." Definitely hand of God stuff, I believe. USPSA has been non-detectable ever since.

Interesting that my T had been low as well for years prior, and Dr. Miles recently started me back on TRT when we tested for it and it came in around 110. Feeling much better on Angrogel now.
Posted 8/13/2017 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
In addition to what I already noted , based on another persons observation on this thread , I definitely had significantly reduced volume at ejaculation. That would be good study topic.
Posted 8/14/2017 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I was just diagnosed at age 52, but my journey has been long... It actually started when I was 42 years old. A few members of my family had colon cancer and I was advised to start getting checked out for that at around age 40. My father, who has had BPH but never cancer, offhandedly stated at that time, "Y'know, you might as well get your prostate checked out as well." So, I made appointment with his doctor. Here's how the story rolled out starting in 2008:

PSA READINGS:
3/08 – 2.0
9/08 – 2.2
4/09 – 4.7
5/09 – 5.0
8/09 – 4.0
11/09 – 3.7
3/10 – 5.0
5/6/10 (three weeks after biopsy) – 5.6, Free PSA = 12.5%
5/27/10 (after three weeks of Cipro) – 3.6, Free PSA = 19.5%
6/4/10 – 4.4, Free PSA = 16%
1/14/11 – 4.7, Free PSA = 11%
5/20/11 – 4.42, Free PSA = 19%
9/23/11 – 4.45, Free PSA = 18%
3/23/12 – 5.09, Free PSA = 16%
6/29/12 – 5.88, Free PSA = 12%
7/10/12 – 6.83, Free PSA = 12%
1/18/13 – 5.94, Free PSA = 16%
8/2/13 – 5.33, Free PSA = 19%
2/28/14 – 5.98, Free PSA = 17%
10/24/14 – 6.24, Free PSA = 20%
4/24/15 – 6.14, Free PSA = 21%
11/6/15 – 5.86, Free PSA = 21%
5/20/16 – 5.75, Free PSA = 26%
12/2/16 – 7.73, Free PSA = 24%
6/16/17 – 6.19, Free PSA = 23%

PROSTATE BIOPSIES:
5/09 – No evidence of prostate cancer
12/09 – No evidence of prostate cancer, but PIN detected
4/10 – No evidence of prostate cancer
7/12 – No evidence of prostate cancer

PROSTATE MRI:
8/10 – No evidence of prostate cancer
6/17 – No evidence of prostate cancer

PCA3
6/17 – 29

Age 52
Dx - 8/17 (fifth biopsy); Sloan Kettering NYC
2 of 14 cores:
right base medial, G6 (3+3), 1%, linear amount 0.1mm
right apex medial, G6 (3+3), 3%, linear amount 0.5mm
Prostate measurements: 6.4 x 3.4 x 3.8 cm; volume 43 cc

I'm now in the "info gathering" phase and am exploring all my options for treatment.

Post Edited (Hope4Happiness) : 8/14/2017 9:29:12 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/14/2017 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
I was Dx'd at 55 but was getting tested (PSA) because my father, uncle, g-father (on my father's side) were all Dx'd with P-ca. I knew my chances of getting P-ca was higher than most because of my family Hx. Also since my father was one who didn't like going to the Dr, his symptoms were severe when he was finally diagnosed. By that time the cancer had spread through much of his body and Tx options (especially at that time) were very limited. Seeing how much he suffered when near the end was a strong motivating factor to start getting tested and to eventually seek Tx after being Dx'd.
Posted 8/14/2017 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I was in an accident, and took opiates for years to treat chronic pain. After I was finally able to quit taking the pills, I just never got my energy back. My urologist said I should test my testosterone level, and I ended up on TRT for a year before my psa was tested. Then when my psa came back high, I decided to quit the testosterone and wait to see if psa went down...

After my cancer was found (age 47) the doctor explained that a 4+3 tumor, that had already taken up the entire right half of the prostate of such a young man, along with PNI, is very serious news. He told me that he could remove my prostate, but there would be a fairly large chance that the cancer could come back, and I may need radiation later.

He told me I should talk to a radiation oncologist before I make a decision.


I decided just to go with seeds and external beam radiation.

Post Edited (vaportrail) : 8/14/2017 1:56:49 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/15/2017 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
My husband was Dx'd in April this year at 44. He is Stage 4 with extensive mets to bones and lymph nodes. He had bad hip pain in January and March of this year. In April, a swollen lymph node in his neck led to a surgical biopsy which revealed aggressive PC. You can see from my signature that Tx has been very successful so far. We are living and loving every second of the day and making memories to last a lifetime.

With hope,
Nikki
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