Hi
I have just had my 4th PSA test with a result of 17 which is up from an original of 12 I have had an MRI scan and biopsy in Oct 23 of which 34samples were taken which resulted in a gleeson score of 3+3=6 in 5 samples and 3+4=7 in one sample I am under active surveylance at present
Should I be concerned at my high PSA result
Hi Nhojlirb
Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to our online community. My name is Sherrye and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
I’m sorry to hear that you have prostate cancer and are currently on active surveillance.
Being on active surveillance means you can avoid or delay side effects that can be experience from treatments such as radiotherapy and surgery. Active surveillance is generally offered for early prostate cancer that is low risk and slow growing.
Your oncology team will have a plan in place for you and that plan will include what the upper limit is for your PSA readings. However a PSA reading is only one part of the whole picture and that alone doesn’t generally mean treatment needs to start.
As Macmillan is separate from the NHS and we have no access to your medical records so we are not best placed to say when treatment should start for your individual case. I’d encourage you to have a chat with your consultant or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and they can update you on the plan and at what point they would look at starting treatment.
You may find it helpful and supportive to share your story in the prostate cancer forum, there will be others who understand your situation as they’ve been there themselves.
Prostate Cancer UK also have an online community that you may find helpful.
You can also call us on the Macmillan Support Line as some people find it helpful to talk things through. We are always happy to take your call.
I hope this information helps. Please feel free to get back in touch if you want more information or support.
Best wishes,
Sherrye H,
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), send us an email or contact us through webchat.
Ref SH/CC
