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How often for DRE and PSA?

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Posted 4/10/2019 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
My husband (late 50's) has had one PSA done - that was 5 or more years ago...and last week he finally went in for a check-up and his Dr. did the DRE. She also gave him a lab req for a PSA.
The DRE was fine.


If the PSA is not elevated ...how often should he get it tested?
And should a DRE always be done at the same time?

Also , do you recommend he get a Male Doctor?

And should it be Free PSA ?
Posted 4/10/2019 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
get PSA and DRE annually. women generally have smaller fingers smile. seriously I prefer a male doctor for the more private stuff.
Posted 4/10/2019 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Unless he has a history of PC in his family or other risk factors, once every 2-4 years till he's 70 would be more than enough. A DRE checks for more than PC, so it's often done as part of an annual physical.

Both male a female doctors are trained the same. Unless he's uncomfortable with having a female doctor doing the exam, it doesn't matter.
Posted 4/10/2019 9:27 PM (GMT 0)

F8 said...
get PSA and DRE annually. women generally have smaller fingers smile. seriously I prefer a male doctor for the more private stuff.

She's a really good Dr. (for everything) - doesn't hesitate to run tests...etc.
We have a lot of docs here in Canada who are stingy with ordering tests...like it's coming out of their pocket.
At this point I think he'll stay with her.
Posted 4/10/2019 9:32 PM (GMT 0)

InTheShop said...
Unless he has a history of PC in his family or other risk factors, once every 2-4 years till he's 70 would be more than enough. A DRE checks for more than PC, so it's often done as part of an annual physical.

Both male a female doctors are trained the same. Unless he's uncomfortable with having a female doctor doing the exam, it doesn't matter.

No family history of PC that we know of. Father died at 67 of heart disease....so he could have had prostate issues later on had he lived longer.

He'll be happy to hear that he can wait 2 years before the next one...
What about getting the PSA every year and the DRE less often?
Posted 4/10/2019 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
The guidelines for men without a history of PC point to having fewer PSA tests run. It is just a blood test so if he's having other stuff tested, what the heck, but there is no need to have one every year.

A DRE - yeah, a finger up the backside isn't what most want - but for men of a "certain age" it's useful for detecting problems like enlarged prostate and other issues. It's not all that good at detecting early stage PC. By the time you can feel it, it's often advanced.

Actually, the recommendation would likely be PSA less often and DRE more often. But, honestly, unless he's having trouble, once every two or three years is likely just fine for both.

PC is a very slow growing cancer and if he hasn't had it by now, the odds are low he'll need treatment even if it shows up. He should likely be screened more aggressively for colon cancer, or heart problems, than for PC.
Posted 4/10/2019 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Personally, I like the idea of getting a PSA test every year. Why not? What’s the downside of doing that? But, that’s just me. Not saying you’re getting bad advice otherwise.
Posted 4/10/2019 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Easiest and safest practice is to make a DRE part of his annual physical exam. It only takes a minute or two. Though uncomfortable, it shouldn’t be painful. It helps get small problems detected early, before they become big ones.
Posted 4/11/2019 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
PSA is just a check of a box for your annual bloodwork. if you aren't getting an annual physical that's another issue. get one. I think PSA every year at least. DRE should be part of physical too. I can't see any upside to not doing it. the family history may begin with you. that's how it worked in my family.
Posted 4/11/2019 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Since I have hypertension I see my GP once a year for a physical and have done so for a couple of decades. I get full blood work, including vitamin D and PSA readings. He does a DRE for both a prostate check and as a fecal immunochemical test, a screen for colon cancer.

A year ago last January I had the physical but hadn't done the blood work yet. He said the DRE indicates something up with the prostate. I had blood work results the next day, with the PSA of 4.4. We could look back for many years and see that after lots of 2s, then lots of 3s, it now went over 4. He referred me to a urologist who offered a biopsy and, as indicated in my signature, things proceeded from there.

I went for my annual last February and since I no longer had a prostate and had just had a colonoscopy it was the first time I didn't get the DRE.
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