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Annual Testing

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Posted 10/31/2023 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Just got my 5 year PSA <0.10 test back so I am happy today. Will see doctor at end of the week and I expect to be told that annual testing is fine. He actually said that same thing last year and I know a couple of Mayo guys where they put them on 6 month and annual testing much quicker than my 5 year plan.

I am pretty sure I will go with annual testing since it seems like the right thing to do for my mind and soul. Already having ART takes the radiation option off the table for salvage purposes. Just wondering if anyone has a strong argument either way on annual testing?
Posted 10/31/2023 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
If your doc is fine with annual testing, I would go with that (unless you prefer 6-month testing for peace of mind).

Djin
Posted 11/1/2023 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Mumbo that is very good news.

To your question.... it's an individual personal decision, but for sure I can relate. 3 years post SRT + ADT, my NP suggested that I could go to one year testing (from 6 months) if I was comfortable, I politely declined. However, after one more 6 month cycle, I gave it some thought and for the same reason you gave, decided to go to 9 months. I just felt that life is too short and if I have an opportunity to take any stress out of my life, I should take it. My next PSA will be in May, the 9 month mark. If that is again undetectable, I will likely go to one year.

Your call, you have to be comfortable. But I think you gave a great reason to go to one year - for the benefit of your mind and soul
Posted 11/1/2023 6:53 AM (GMT 0)
Kind of related.... I was on a six month schedule with the URO for a long time due to getting Testosterone .... We worked out that on the first blood draw of the year, I wouldn't have an appointment to come in for the results.... If the results were bad, they'd call. (never did) On the second one, I HAD to go in for an appointment after the draw. Apparently he "had" to see me in person.
Posted 11/1/2023 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
great news man!
Posted 11/9/2023 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mumbo, I discussed 1 yr testing with my mayo team they told me I will be on 6 month probably for the rest of my life. nice to see you are still undetectable, It will be 6 yrs soon for me.
Posted 11/9/2023 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
In the last two years my uro took me from quarterly to semi-annual testing. He says I will stay with that frequency as long as he is my uro due to the risk factors at diagnoses.
Posted 11/9/2023 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
The testing issue reminds me of those asking why PSA is even checked after treatment when the doctors are so confident that you will be “cured” with their method…

In my situation of surgery followed by ART, I will not be concerned if a recurrence is sneaking up on me as it become much more binary, we have a problem or we don’t have a problem, I most likely will not be “a little pregnant”. If there was a good chance that my PSA would go from <0.10 to 10 in a year, it would make sense to catch it at say 1.0 then do a scan to see where it is at. However, most info I have read does not point to a rapid increase after 5 years so an annual test would most probably catch it “in time”, whatever that means in the future.
I absolutely preferred 6 mo testing to 3 mo testing and can see why Mayo and others seem to be pushing that along sooner now. I guess I have 6 months to figure this out.
Posted 11/9/2023 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats Mumbo, what ever you decide, every day we are here is a blessing. Put PC behind for now and live life to the fullest. 😄
Jack
Posted 11/14/2023 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Mine yesterday: 0.05

Happy? You Betcha!!!

Godspeed, Mumbo...
Posted 11/16/2023 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats. I'm just getting used to 3 month testing. I usually "cheat" and go after 10 weeks.
Posted 11/16/2023 8:59 PM (GMT 0)

NJ Fred said...
Mine yesterday: 0.05

Happy? You Betcha!!!

Godspeed, Mumbo...

Happy is what you should be.
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