PSA Question

Yes, it’s just a bunch of numbers but look at the trend.

Three ups or three downs are a trend and that’s what you should be looking at.

the accuracy and variance in your very low numbers could be affected by may things not just the cancer or treatments so it’s great to see you numbers so small.

The fact that you get a higher (small) number isn’t anything get worried about. Three in a row will show a trend and that’s might mean you’ll be watched more closely.

But ask the clinicians or your oncologist when you want to for clarity. It’s those people that will calm you the most.

But we are here as always and happy to ease your mind.

More people will be replying to you question so don’t rely on me, but I would make uiuself a cuppa and try to relax about it.

And we are always here so keep asking questions when you have them.

Good luck

Thank you so much.  But isn’t going from.07 to .67 in 3 months worrisome?

If you let it it is going to give you anxiety but as yet one small rise is not too much to worry about.

I’m 61 and when my PSA was rising up from the initial fall I was terrified about progression and imagined troubles ahead. I was just like you.

Prostate cancer is sometimes a very slow burner and the word cancer is hell-fire and brimstone. I was being checked every month at that time three years ago. I was on a trial. I couldn’t have been more happy with all the data and kind people looking after me. But it took a while to understand the numbers and what else the clinical experts need to assess their patients. The PSA is great but at low numbers it’s sometimes hard to follow and predict, due to minor variables in me and the tests. But little by little I gathered up enough trust in the experts to back off and get on with life and let them deal with my bloods.

Under 1.0 is very low. One small raise in that number is not enough to panic about. You are allowed to feel nervous but try and be patient and wait for another test, calmly.

I’m sure your team has noticed and would be banging down your door if there was anything wrong at all. 

Hi Bruce 

Too early to start worrying although I understand.

Could be a blip or sometimes it can go up a notch sometime after RT finishes, mine did.

Next one important, hopefully levelled off

Best wishes 

Steve 

Hi Bruceinpaf25275 when I started having PSA results, the measurements were only given in whole numbers, then we went to one decimal place and you could see trends occurring which hadn’t been seen before.  The problem we are facing is dealing with such small numbers it is easy to take them out of context.  Should you be worried is the question, No is the answer.  One individual result at this low level doesn’t mean much.  Personally if my next 3 month was anything over 1.5 in your shoes, I would be having a serious conversation with my team.

Hello Bruce (Bruceinpaf25275) 

I don't think there's any cause for concern at the moment. The general rule of thumb for intervention is:

* Three consecutive PSA rises in a row. (the rise from 0.04 to 0.07 is minimal and can be ruled out).

* A rise of over 2 whole points.

Although you don't have a Prostate other organs in the body do produce a tiny amount of PSA and this could be why you have a very small reading each test,

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Brian and all fellow travellers, I have had 4 psa tests since my prostatectomy in March 24, <0.03, 0.03, 0.05 , 0.07. last in July. Oncologist has recommended Salvage radiotherapy as he considers these numbers to be indicative of Biochemical recurrence and recommended acting now for best results. An MRI and CT scan showed zero, zilch, nada..Doctors differ etc. Best wishes to you and all my comrades on here. S 

Hi Sight for sore eyes , that is exactly what my previous post was trying to explain.  These numbers are so low that you can’t really identify a trend.  Great news you are clear of any spread.

Hello Sight for sore eyes 

Yep - the oncologist has gone for the "3 consecutive rises" rule and the rises are below where anything will show up. I had a scan earlier this month with a PSA of 3.86 and as we say in the North - "nowt there".

Best wishes - Brian.

Yes, he is applying the 3 consecutive rises principle,  I suppose part of me is thinking these values are tiny why the need for spending the autumn on a radiotherapy regime, I guess I am just clutching at straws. 3 consecutive rises is it seems, the key. Best to all especially my friend Amnesiac. S