PSA rise during prostate cancer diagnosis

jarweb 15 days ago

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I am currently waiting to speak to a urologist about my prostate cancer diagnosis and have a question over a particular concern during the testing.

I originally had a PSA test at my GP in September and the result came back as 7.9. I hadn't had a PSA test before this. I am 59 years old. After MRI scan I was sent for a biopsy and another blood test was taken just before this - this was only a month later, in October. I was shocked to only find out a few weeks later that the PSA was then 9.8

Biopsy confirmed PCa with a Gleason score of 4+3

I realise that without previous PSA tests before September it's impossible to know if my PSA has always gone up and down. But a jump of 2 in just a month is adding to my existing worries about the cancer diagnosis.

Is this something that is fairly normal ?

Thanks

Pauline - Macmillan 15 days ago

Dear jarweb

Thank you for getting in touch with the Macmillan online community, my name is Pauline and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support line.

Waiting can be the most difficult part of any cancer diagnosis, especially when you have some information but not enough to get a full picture of what is going on.

It may help if I explain a little more about the PSA. This will hopefully put your mind at rest.

The PSA (protein specific antigen) is a test to measure a protein that is released by both healthy prostate cells and cancerous prostate cells. The protein is released into the bloodstream if the prostate is damaged in some way.

The PSA test can be useful when monitoring prostate cancer, however it only shows a small part of the overall picture of what’s going on. The PSA can rise for reasons other than cancer. Have a look at this link that explains this in more detail. Things such as exercise, infection or tests on the prostate can cause the protein to be released which would then show as a rise in the PSA level. Therefore, the PSA results are not always an accurate indication of how the cancer is developing. The results should always be considered alongside any other investigations being carried out to get a more accurate picture of what’s going on.

Some people find it helpful to talk to others who are going through something similar, you may find it helpful to join our online forum for people with a diagnosis of Prostate cancer.

Please feel free to give us a call on our helpline, 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us if you would like to discuss further.

Ref PG/DW

Best Wishes

Pauline

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

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PSA rise during prostate cancer diagnosis