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PSA Test - How Often?

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 5/8/2021 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I don't have prostate cancer to my knowledge but do have BPH and have been taking Alfuzosin for many years. I am in good overall health and get a PSA test every year as both my father and uncle had PC. Both of them had RP and both lived long lives...my father passed at 92. I am now 71 and my PSA six months ago was 2.50. The following shows prior testing in descending order - 2.30, 2.30, 2.45, 2.00,1.74, 1.60,1.60, 1.90, 1.30. All DRE's have been normal and I was told I have a small, healthy prostate on examination and to test again in a year.

My question is should I be testing every six months or just following the doctors advice and test yearly? My Uro retired four years ago and I have seen two other urologists in the same very large practice and one outside. The last visit the doc said to stop worrying about getting PC and live your life, that if I did get it a good chance it would be much later in life. Thanks and any advice appreciated.
Posted 5/8/2021 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Antler,

Well, your PSA is great for your age, and you have a normal prostate by examination. Most men your age would love to be in your shoes. Keep at the annual testing..but not more...and live your life. In all likelyhood, you will die a long time into the future of something else.
Posted 5/8/2021 8:44 PM (GMT 0)

Antler said...
..... The last visit the doc said to stop worrying about getting PC and live your life, that if I did get it a good chance it would be much later in life.

That is awesome advice. Once a year is perfect. If it ever jumps over 3 then do another in 6 months.
Posted 5/8/2021 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks very much for the advise guys and best wishes to both of you.
Posted 5/9/2021 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Antler and welcome. Being 71 with a PSA of 2.5 your stay here is likely to be short. Your results are excellent and I agree with the other comments that once a year PSA testing seems appropriate.

Hope things continue to go well.

Jim
Posted 5/9/2021 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Antler, my Dad was diagnosed in his 70’s after some years of monitoring his PSA and will be 94 next month, similar to your Dad. Sometimes it is just an old man’s disease and part of the myriad of things we deal with as we get older. Doctors keep telling him that he will die from something else, however reassuring that is. You probably should just get annual tests as part of your checkups and saving the worrying for something else like why do I need cataract surgery?
Posted 5/9/2021 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the feedback and best to all. I will continue to check annually.
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