Raised PSA. A question

The PSA test can be found lacking when it comes to various means whereby the numbers are not what they should be. Maybe you already know this. But the worst thing you can do just before the test is to get on your bike. Cycling will add to your PSA result.

So don’t panic just yet, the other tests and scans will confirm that anything is wrong if there’s anything to find.

Good luck.

Thanks I’m well versed with with what you would should do and don’t, just a waiting game now

Hi Fleet.

I'm on AS too. My most recent PSA was 9.9, up from 6.5 six months earlier. However it was during a flare up in prostatitis.  

I've had rogue PSA results before and then it comes down again. 

The Patient Access shows a graph of my PSA score over 9 years. Taking averages, my PSA has roughly doubled over that time. I'm told that it is normal due to prostate enlargement and liver becoming less effective at removing PSA as you age. 

If I was you I'd wait for the MRI.

Best wishes 

David 

My husband had his PSA monitored for several years and was referred to urology twice because of slow but consistent rising trend in the days before mri was  offered prior to the old fashioned, less reliable and more risky biopsy through the back passage. He was told to have 3 monthly PSA tests and to return to urology when his PSA reached 10. This happened 3 years ago and he was diagnosed with PC ? broken through the capsule Gleason 4+3. He was treated with the intention to cure but no guarantee. 

Should he have been treated sooner? This question haunts us.

so, bearing in mind that men are often having to wait for far too long for radiotherapy for PC these days and based on our experience ( cancer beginning to spread) I would not advocate waiting. That said, I am no medical expert and this is very much based on our own experience and no two cases are the same.

Good luck!

Hi David 

Good to hear you’ve been on a/s so long reading your bio it’s interesting you think having that biopsy years ago had an affect on your prostate. 
I’ve had 3 biopsy’s and I do wonder if that’s resulted in having a very enlarged prostate. 
Your psa results seem to mirror mine every time mine goes up the next one comes down. 
Thinking a lot this week and  agree with you that it would be sensible to wait for mri results. 
Im not really a worrier but must admit this has been on my mind constantly your reply has reassured me so thanks for that. 
All the best Roy. 

Hello Fleet 

I was watching this thread but had not replied yet, however the post from Worriedwife struck a chord with me.

If you read my posts you will know I am not a fan of either Active Surveillance or Watchful Waiting, my view having been around the Community for 4 years is that the cancer isn't going away - it's only going to grow and PSA is only an indicator, in fact I have seen someone go from AS to incurable but treatable.

My view - and it's a personal view is get it sorted whilst it's not aggressive, all treatment routes are still open to you and you are young enough to make a full recovery.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Worriedwife 

Thanks for the reply 

That can’t be nice for you both to have to wonder  if it would have been better getting treatment sooner. 
My psa results have always fluctuated that’s why I think consultant wanted to see what the next reading is in 3 months. 
But it does leave a 6 month wait until I would get results of mri scan in April. 
If my psa had shown a steady increase over this past 3 years I would be more worried but I will wait just now and see what next psa reading is and my mri would only be 6 weeks later. 
All the best to you both Roy 

Hi Millibob

I was hoping you would reply as I value your input on this forum. 
I know you don’t like a/s and I respect your opinion but I must admit I don’t agree with it. 
This pc journey can be a roll of of a dice for us, the single biggest thing I’ve remembered was sitting in the consultants office and him saying to me ‘ why put yourself through major surgery or radiotherapy when in my opinion it’s not needed at the moment’

Time will tell if that was the right choice but at least this last 3 years I have led a ‘ normal life’ with no treatment, I’m 71 now 

Hello Roy (Fleet) 

I respect your opinion - if we didn't have choices the world would be a strange place.

Just to say I found Radiotherapy at age 67 quite easy and I didn't have any major side effects - it did what it says on the tin!!

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Brian 

Good to know you found radiotherapy quite easy reassuring if I have to go down that route. 
Thanks for all your input on the forum I know it’s a great help

All the best Roy