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PSA doubled!

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Posted 5/22/2018 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I am 55 and in great health, exercise 4 times a week and very scared!
My PSA was 1.5 every year and after 17 months, I saw it jump to 3.25.
I have a friend who is the top urologist in the city told me to take
a blood test again in 6 weeks. If it comes back over 4, to see him.

I have no symptoms associated with PC
Also, some say doubling is more important of a factor while
others say that is not important but the actual value.

I have read that along with cancer, it may be
BPH and prostitits.

I have also heard that before a biopsy, one should do an MRI.

I would really appreciate the help
Thanks
Jack

Post Edited (JackJunex) : 5/22/2018 11:12:10 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/22/2018 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Doubling time is important for advanced PCa, mine is 6 weeks but it's under control.

BUT first, take a deep breath and take one step at a time. Have the new PSA test, and go from there. Hopefully you can rule out PCa and it's either BPH or prostititus..

And yes if your doctor suggests a biopsy, ask for an MRI guided one.
Posted 5/22/2018 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW.

PSA isn't a test for cancer.

PSA due to PC rarely jumps that fast. That kind of increase is more likely due to prostatitis. At your PSA level an MRI isn't likely to show anything important.

Before you even think PC, you need to rule out all other causes. Get a URO exam and recheck again sometime. If it's still up you might want to think about a biopsy.

Andrew
Posted 5/22/2018 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for a quick reply alephnull.

I also read that if someone has PC and the PSA is well below 10, chance are, it is in stage 1 and removing the prostate gland should do it?
Would this be correct?

Jack
Posted 5/22/2018 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you In The Shop

When you say URO exam, do you mean DRE?

Jack
Posted 5/22/2018 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
don't get ahead of yourself - find out if you have PC first. Only a biopsy can confirm that.

If, big if, you have PC, you have a lot of choices. Surgery or RT in it's many forms will work just as well and you're likely well in the curable range.

But that's all speculation based on very little data. Get better data and figure out what you really have. What you have right now is a suspicious PSA reading.

Andrew
Posted 5/22/2018 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Yes you are very correct Andrew.

I often think way ahead which sometimes is
not a good thing emotionally.
Posted 5/22/2018 5:46 PM (GMT 0)

JackJunex said...
Yes you are very correct Andrew.

I often think way ahead which sometimes is
not a good thing emotionally.

but totally natural and we all do it - myself included.

I just figure it's my job to point it out from time to time.

It's hard not to worry, but try not to worry and try to only deal with the facts in evidence.

so simple and so hard to do.

Hang in there,
Andrew
Posted 5/22/2018 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Andrew you said get a URO exam.
Is that the same as a DRE?
Posted 5/22/2018 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
URO meaning Urologist and DRE meaning direct rectal (finger) exam that feels for lumps. This is a quick and easy thing but again only biopsy can confirm.
Posted 5/22/2018 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
What IntheShop and Gear said!!

AFTER you find out that you don't have cancer, I pray that's true.

It is true that IF you have PCa that PSA CAN be an indicator of the aggressiveness of the PCa.

<10 low risk
>=10<20 Intermediate risk
>20 high risk

/www.menshormonalhealth.com/psa-test-results.html]psa-test-results
Posted 5/22/2018 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
You might ask for the PHI (prostate health index) blood test. It has a lot of other things that are checked that can help gage risk of having PC and such.

The urologist should be able to help you sort out what's going on.
Posted 5/22/2018 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
I checked on my blood test. They do not have PHI or even free PSA available.
Are these special blood tests?
Posted 5/22/2018 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. A URO should be able to order them.
Posted 5/22/2018 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Do you suggest I ask my GP for CIPRO in case if I have prostitits?
Posted 5/22/2018 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
no. Antibiotics are rarely effective for prostatitis. Normally it just remits on its own.
Posted 5/22/2018 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Jack, I’ve not got much to add, you’ve gotten great advice from Andrew. It’s normal to be freaked out in your position. Many here would say I was the king of freaking out. It will subside. There are no guarantees in life, as all if us hear are painfully aware. But that seems like a big jump to be prostate cancer, which usually causes a very slow steady rise.. Don’t jump to conclusions.

One other thing... google is not your friend in this situation. It’s hard to resist. Most of us can’t. But just be aware. Google as the ability, if overused, to weaponize your mind.
Posted 5/22/2018 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your input along with the others.
I just started this forum about 5 hours ago
and I have gotten so many responses from you guys who
know about this a lot more than I do.
I will go for a PSA test in 2 weeks.

Do you guys know when is a good time to go?
I went on Apr 24 and doc said 4-6 week space for the possible
inflammation to heal.
Posted 5/22/2018 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
A PSA test can be done anytime during the day. Best to try and do it the same time for each test.

The important thing is no sex 48 hours before the test. Ejaculation can skew the results.

Andrew
Posted 5/22/2018 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Another thing... don't have sex for a few days before test, no bike riding, or anything crazy before PSA tests.
Posted 5/22/2018 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks but my question was, how long from the first test
should I wait for the inflammation (if it is) to heal.
Doc said it may be inflammation and wait a little bit before repeating the test.
Posted 5/23/2018 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
6-8 weeks, maybe 3 months. Something like that. It's difficult to say for sure as everyone recovers at different rates.
Posted 5/23/2018 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
It is funny that you guys say no sex for 48hrs.
For curiosity, you guys know how much that would influence percentage wise?
Would 3.0 go to 4.0 or it would go to 3.3?
Posted 5/23/2018 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Also they are saying pomegranate is good for PSA.
Is this true or a waste of time?
Posted 5/23/2018 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sex before PSA test, it matters enough to make a difference. As does riding bicycles and doing strenuous exercize.

Pomegranite is good for prostate health, but like all other prostate foods, it has to be a lifestyle. The change in diet needs to be long term.

IMHO
But once you have PCa, it matters LESS. Diet MIGHT help stem the cancer's growth. But no one truly knows.
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