Post treatment PSA testing

It's been quite awhile since I've posted but I do look in occasionally. My treatment consisted of ADT/IMRT/ CHEMO (docetaxel) and ended in Dec. 2018.I recently had to get a new PCP. On my initial visit the new guy told me I was "cured". That I no longer needed PSA tests every 3 months. He implied that I don't need them period. It's been 4 + years since treatment and I disagree. I will
Contact my RO and have her schedule the tests. Anyway, the word cured is a great word for a cancer patient but I'm not so sure that term can be used with a high volume/low psa/ high gleason score patient. Just would like some thoughts about this. Wishing all well,
Mark

Mark, I would think that with a G9 diagnosis, at least annual PSA tests should be routine for life. Heck for me with a G7, surgically treated with no complications, I'm still doing annual PSA at 8 years, and I plan to keep doing them for the next 30 years.

Sr Sailor said...

I do wonder about (the qualifications of) your new PCP though...

Yeah, no kidding! It might be a good idea to look into the advice one is prescribing as a medical professional. At least a few guys have come here with regret after discontinuing PSA monitoring.

You are doing really well post treatment, but you had some pretty stout G9 biopsy cores. A PSA test is an easy thing to do. Personally, I would be inclined to stay with quarterly tests for awhile before going to twice yearly. I'm not so sure about an annual test.

Hello, Artist Mark ~

I'm thankful to read your update and hear from you!

It's great to see that your multi-layered treatments have paid dividends.

You've slogged successfully through the rigors of treatment ~ and other readers will glean hope from your treatment story.

In my case, in retrospect, my toughest treatments have paid the greatest dividends.

It can be a hard "row to hoe" ~ forging through tough treatments, but your story is a testimonial to staying the course.

I believe it's best to remain vigilant and proactive, looking ahead. Get set up with a great doctor who will look after you.

Together, you can set up a plan for occasional check-ins and follow-up appointments. Peace of mind will follow.

Above ALL else, it's great to hear from you, Artist Mark!

Here's to all great things in the NEW YEAR ahead!

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

It's been nice to connect again and to remember the tremendous support that this group gave me through my journey. Thank you for your kind words Cyclone, it's nice to be remembered. You have always been an inspiration to me. Thank you to those that have responded. I have had quarterly tests since the beginning. My RO turned testing over to my PCP a few years back for convenience. It's never been a problem I live in a smaller Southeastern Washington town town and the medical care has gotten pretty bad. Dr's leaving and trouble finding new ones that are willing to stay. This new guy is the only one taking new patients as my other one left. I would dump the guy if I had an option but really don't have one. Anyway, I'll find a way to get my tests done. It amazes me how some PCP drs think they understand PC and are still stuck in the old belief that "it's just PC it's not that big a deal. Thanks again for the replies and I'll try to stay in closer contact.
Battle on brothers
The artistic one...Mark

Hello again Mark.. good to be back and hear from some of the old guys ...I say keep testing and live life !!!

steve0 said...
For me it is because of treatment and testing that I have peace of mind. My doctor says it isn't cured but under control.
I will take it.....

So will I.

Regarding the word “cured,” I understand where everyone is coming from on that. When looking up the definition, most refer to it as having relieved the patient of the symptoms and “restored to health, soundness, or normality.” I didn’t see any that made reference to a permanence of that. That said, I know that words also carry colloquial meaning as well and “cure” can infer that the malady will never return.