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when to test my son

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Posted 5/24/2013 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
He will be 35 in October.

He now has a strong family history of PC (his Dad and both grandfathers).

I say test at 35.

I have read test at 40.

What sayest thou?

(I suspect I will still push him to test at 35)

Mel

Posted 5/24/2013 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Given just your history - I sayest, test now. Get a base line and retest regularly.
Posted 5/24/2013 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, if I had a son with your family history, I'd go for a baseline at age 35. If there are any women (mom, sisters) who were diagnosed with BCa, that might add extra risk for your son. I had my baseline mammo at age 39 due to my mom having BCa so I'm a believer.
Posted 5/24/2013 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I believe that according to the new AUA guidelines it would be 40. I think ther guidelines are to test absolutely nobody under the age of 40 and over the age of 75.

I would have my son create a baseline at 40. But of course in my mind whether one starts this at 35, 3, or 40 is all the same.
Posted 5/24/2013 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Mel -

Sort of related, here is a thread we had last December on the issue of testing our sons in general. The question of "when" is addressed in it a few times:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2576600
Posted 5/24/2013 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
do it now.  it's just a simple blood test. 

ed

 

Posted 5/24/2013 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
81:

Thanks for the link. I had forgotten about that thread.

Looks like the concensus is what I indicated -- some say 35; others say 40.

It will be interesting to see what my son's doctor says.

Mel

Posted 5/24/2013 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Actually, I've decided to be pro-active. I'm going to insist my daughter get that test too!

Mel

Posted 5/24/2013 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
ED:

You said do it now,

How about CONVINCE HIM TO DO IT NOW AND GET HIM TO DO IT!

Mel

Posted 5/24/2013 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
My oldest, son, 35 last year, already has had his base line PSA done, no problems. Youngest son, 29, promises to do the same on his 35th birthday. Both agreed without question just to please their dad.

david in sc
Posted 5/24/2013 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Get it and regular DRE's starting now. Only reason I got a PSA was because of a failed DRE at the yearly physical at 40. Coasted for a year not knowing what a 2.6 meant for a 40 year old. Got the second the next year, 3.8, after he felt a "firmness" on the DRE. If he hits whole numbers in his early 40's, it needs to be investigated thoroughly.
Posted 5/24/2013 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
when do I get my first colonoscopy, 50?

Or does someone who got cancer at 40 with cancer all along his lineage bump that one up too?
Posted 5/24/2013 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
My wife had to start at 40 or 45 because her brother had colon cancer

Does your family have a history of colon cancr?

Mel

Posted 5/24/2013 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
not that one, most others though :)
Posted 5/24/2013 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I got first colonoscopy at 47, based on mother having non-cancerous polyps and grandfather having colon cancer. Doc said he would typically recommend 45 under those circumstances. Of course, doc does colonoscopies for a living, so he is not entirely disinterested. But seemed to me "better safe than sorry." It was a pain in the ass, but not such a big deal. (A friend who is a GI doc told me he would do my next one, for free, with a garden hose).

PSA is not even a pain in the ass, so I don't see any reason not to get a baseline test at 35, with family history.
Posted 5/24/2013 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

Try to get him to establish a baseline now.

As for the colonscopy, if a person has regular bleeding, please don't assume it's just a annoying hemorrhoid.

My cousin just buried her 22 year old son due to colorectal cancer. Rare for his young age, but eye opening!
Posted 5/24/2013 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Davidg:

I don't think  a history of other cancers projects a higher probability of colon cancer.

But, then again, I'm out of my league here.

Mel

Posted 5/24/2013 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Having one type, doesn't remotely mean you are at risk for another type.
Posted 5/24/2013 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
How about CONVINCE HIM TO DO IT NOW AND GET HIM TO DO IT!

that's your job man....maybe you can get Tony to do it cool !

ed

 

Posted 5/24/2013 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
okay, that was funny, Ed.

Mel - You're probably right, but once shell shocked...
Posted 5/24/2013 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
David g, colonoscopy at age 50 is fine...both my parents had cancer (breast for mom and dad had prostate cancer and a rare form of cancer of the small intestine which is what 'got' him) and all my doctors agreed that colonoscopy at age 50 was fine. Due to benign polyps found on the last 2 colonoscopies, I have one every 5 years...some people will have them more frequently and some only every 10 years.
Posted 5/24/2013 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with PCa a few months back at the age of 41. My sons are 16 and 10 currently.

I asked Dr. Ash Tewari when my sons should get their first screening. He advises that my sons get a baseline PSA test and a baseline prostate MRI at age 30. The purpose of the MRI is to have good pictures and size measurement, which may be very useful for comparison purposes in later years.

-Gedman
Posted 5/24/2013 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
i agree i will be pushing my son to get tested at thirty.he is currently 22...i would also
be getting both of my kids tested for gene defects as i know we have family history of defective
baraca 2 gene.
Posted 5/24/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I test at 37. That was the year after my dad died. That was 7 years ago. It was all up to me. No doctor pushed me, but my doctor was cool with it.
Posted 5/24/2013 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
>>>>>>>>
How about CONVINCE HIM TO DO IT NOW AND GET HIM TO DO IT!

that's your job man....maybe you can get Tony to do it !

ed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hey, Tony, can I speak to your for a minute?

Mel
<g>
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