PSA/DRE for man in his ‘60’s

How often should a man in his early 60’s have a PSA done?
My husband had one along with a DRE - I think it was a year ago.
Should he be having a PSA yearly?
And if the PSA is within the range does he need the DRE yearly as well?

Yes, he should have the DRE yearly as part of a regular checkup. I've been told that it is an indicator that a doctor is good if they do the DRE.

Girlie, as the other folks said...your hubby should be having both PSA tests and DRE's yearly. BTW, if his PCP is NOT doing this he is not getting a good standard of care and he might want to look for a better educated PCP.

Jim

Tudpock18 said...
Girlie, as the other folks said...your hubby should be having both PSA tests and DRE's yearly. BTW, if his PCP is NOT doing this he is not getting a good standard of care and he might want to look for a better educated PCP.

Jim

I just had a discussion with my husband - he said the Doc prefers the DRE but he thinks he can convince him to get the PSA tested yearly….

Thanks all for the posts.

Girlie said...

Tudpock18 said...
Girlie, as the other folks said...your hubby should be having both PSA tests and DRE's yearly. BTW, if his PCP is NOT doing this he is not getting a good standard of care and he might want to look for a better educated PCP.

Jim

I just had a discussion with my husband - he said the Doc prefers the DRE but he thinks he can convince him to get the PSA tested yearly….

Thanks all for the posts.

I certainly hope so! Most prostate cancer is diagnosed after a man gets rising PSA results and then has a subsequent biopsy. Most of us did not have anything show up on a DRE. If his doc waits for nodules on the prostate that he can feel via DRE it may have already escaped the capsule. Again, NOT a good standard of care...

Jim

mattam said...
Girlie,
I seem to recall from another thread that your husband is reluctant for the DRE. I think I have that right? I think most men have a knee-jerk reaction to the thought of a DRE. I get it. I did too. Now, with all the crap I've been through, the DRE phobia seems laughable. I would encourage you to "put your foot down" in whatever way might work for your husband. 🙂

Yup - he is reluctant but I’m going to put my foot down -
(As if that will work !!)

Maybe I should threaten to not have breast exams/mammograms if he doesn’t get the DRE yearly plus the PSA done.

“ Tell him this story, it will help. Doc told me to bend over for the exam and said, " You might get an erection Chuck." I told him my name was Michael and he said, "I know, my name is Chuck."

Lol - good one! 😂

He should have the DRE at his yearly checkup by his PCP, also the PSA is a cheap blood test, many of us here were victims of the PSTF who told PCP to stop recommending the PSA test( until patient was 60) and also to not discuss with their patients. My PCP did not want to do PSA( some of these young doctors listen to these Gov hacks) but was more worried about my Cholesterol and Hepatitus B LOL, insisted I have the PSA tes and results came back high and started my journey here. Was 55 at the time. As someone on here mentioned if your PCP wont do a basic PSA, fire them and get another doctor. Also the DRE is no big deal, another tool in the tool box for the doctors but PSA is much more important.

I am sure many (if not all) who have contributed to this thread wish him (and YOU) well.