My dad is half way through radiotherapy for prostate cancer and a few days ago he went for a PSA Test and it had risen, so he is a bit worried.
When he had a review with a radiologist I'm sure she mentioned that if he were to go for a PSA test during radiotherapy it may show are rise and its due to the treatment and not to worry about it yet.
She did try to make him not have it checked but he wanted to.
Can anyone please help and reassure that this is the case .
Many thanks
Hello Mutley22
Welcome to the Online Community here at Macmillan. I hope you find it a helpful place to access support and ask questions. My name is Vanessa and I am one of the information nurses.
I’m sorry to see your dad is having radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer.
As you know a PSA blood test is used to help diagnose and monitor prostate cancer.
PSA levels can however be influenced by other things, including radiotherapy for prostate cancer. For this reason, the PSA is not normally tested during treatment or immediately after treatment.
Once radiotherapy treatment is finished it can take a while for PSA levels to drop. How quickly and how low levels drop does vary, and the hospital team will tend to look at patterns of PSA results rather than a single reading. For example, repeated increases.
If your dad would like to discuss this further he can contact the Macmillan Support Line and we can provide further explanations and reassurance for him.
He could also speak to his nurse specialist for further reassurance. He should have a contact number for this nurse but if not, they can normally be contacted through the main hospital phone number and asking to be transferred to them.
I hope you find this information helpful. You can also always call one of our nurses directly if you want to talk over your concerns or require any further support.
Take care.
Vanessa G, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
Ref VG/HeP
