Enlarged Prostate

Hello Mac3 and a warm welcome to the Prostate forum - we are a decent bunch!!

A PSA of 3.4 on a test is very low (mine was 182 on diagnosis ). So on your DRE (digital rectal examination) or finger up the bum test shows an enlarged prostate and the pain in the hip combination has no doubt set your GP's bells ringing.

There are 2 timelines in force at present - you should wait no more than 2 weeks from seeing the GP to seeing the urologist and then a further 48 days maximum before any treatment starts.- however you may need to push to keep to the timeline - your GP should be able to help here.

The normal diagnosis involves an MRI scan and a prostate biopsy but with a low PSA they may not take a biopsy sample.

I hope this helps, If you have any questions please feel free to ask them, however trivial you may think they are.

Good luck with everything and keep us posted as to your progress.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks Brian, I thought I had responded to your message but had only emailed the Support team. Newbie mistake 

Thanks for the information, it will give me a target to aim for as the waiting is brutal. I just want to get this started and hopefully get rid of it.

1. I think you’re getting ahead of yourself . You have no diagnosis and on the basis of what you’ve said , no strong indicators of cancer . No one with a prostate has a psa of 0 , and hip pain is very common . And yes , if it is cancer , a low psa is a good sign.

Good Morning Mac3

That's no problem - don't worry about it.  You will find in this club you are always in the loop - waiting appointment - waiting results - waiting appointment and so it goes on.

My thought on this were - it is what it is I can't alter my results. It is worth keeping an eye on the clock and as your journey progresses keep tabs on your appointments. If possible always tell them you are available to take any earlier cancellation and keep contact details to chase up appointments etc.

If it's any help in understanding the journey some of the "regulars" on here have a diary of our journey and you can read mine by clicking on the icon of the beach next to my user name. Don't worry - I had a few issues and it's not all doom and gloom.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Mac

Expecting a PSA of 0 may be pushing it a bit. Don't think u would get that unless u have had treatment notably surgery.

Enlarged prostate can be down to other things and also so can hip pain which I am sure u are aware.

Anyway with a psa of 3.4 very unlikely it would have spread to your bones.

I wouldn't worry too much at this stage

Steve 

Thanks Brian 

Thanks Steve, still trying to come to terms with the news

Hello Mac3.

I hope that this link will reassure you a little.

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/tests-and-scans/prostate-specific-antigen-psa-test

It gives you an indication of PSA levels at different ages and you will see that 3.4 can be normal for the majority of men and specifically at your young age of 57. Also the PSA can fluctuate depending on many factors such as recent ejaculation, vigorous exercise, urine infection......

An enlarged prostate does need further investigation and it is good that you have taken a proactive step in looking after your health. I think everyone can sympathise with the worry of waiting for tests and results and hopefully you will have nothing to worry about.

Brian, numbers mean nothing without further investigation. My number was 8.2, far below yours also, I’m locally advanced, spread a bit, enlarged prostate, 4+3, stage 3b possible stage 4. 
it’s not a highest number wins. 

Hello malnik 

Yes I am fully aware the PSA test is a rough "guide" to the state of your Prostate.

* It's very inaccurate if in the previous 48 hours before a test you have been exercising, doing heavy work or even sexual activity.

* There are some Community members with "non secreting" Prostate cells that don't make Prostate Specific Antigen.

* Many men with high levels of PSA don't have cancer and in other cases men below 4 have been known to have aggressive Prostate cancer.

It's an initial rough guide and in many cases even with a "lowish" figure further investigation is required.

Best wishes - Brian.