I'm 54 years old caucasian with no family history of prostate cancer. In Jan 2012 my PSA was 1.2 and in Oct 2014 my PSA was 1.3 and in April 2015 (6 months later) it had risen to 1.75. My Family Dr performed a DRE and said my prostate felt completley normal and was not concerned about the rise in my PSA. Should I be seeking second opinion?
If it were me I would not be too concerned. A slightly rising PSA is not abnormal for an aging male. I would continue to monitor it to see if there is real change in the speed of rise. Your level is well within the normal range.
G'day Only Me... There can only be some personal reason for wanting a second opinion... Your figures seem excellent...
Hi Only You, As Kombi says ... Your figures are enviably excellent.
You do seem, at this time however, somewhat morbidly concerned about this particular disease and presumably, showed a degree of anxiety for your G.P. to have performed a DRE; which so doing might seem in itself, a little unusual. Unless of course, you live way out in the sticks.
So what is causing your unwarranted fears ? Do you have any insight ?
Anyway take heart, we are here to support you, even if you don't need it.
Kind Regards
Dudley
Hi dudley, My concern is that from Jan 2012 to Oct 2014 there was basically no change (1.2 to 1.3) then in 6 months I have a 0.45 rise (1.4 to 1.75). I read on-line that this was a significant change is PSA velocity so I called an Oncologist and his nurse said I should probably have it checked. So, I don't really think I'm "morbidly concered" or even showing anxiety I was really just following her advice. Also, when I met with my Dr. he really wasn't very concerned, however, he did go ahead and perform the DRE. Maybe as a precaution or maybe because I hadn't had one for quite a few years. Anyway thanks for the advice and support.
Only Me
dudley,
The 2nd opinion does seem a little over the top as I think about it. I guess I might be having a little anxiety seeing the PSA go up. Also, my daughter has had cancer and her decision to have a second opinion most likely saved her life. Thanks for the advice.
Only Me as dudley70181 stated...'Your figures are enviably excellent!'...
The upside from your experience is that now you are very aware of this silent killer Prostate Cancer... Don't let this exposure go without being thankful that you are at the bottom end of all markers... Talk about this with all your mates so that they too are aware that they need to be very vigilant moving forward...you may just have been selected as a messenger to others...
Dear Only Me,
As the previous replies suggest, you are very likely a fortunate fellow.
I would suggest that you read the US Preventative Services Task Force Recommendations on Prostate Cancer. They recommend against the use of PSA testing for screening purposes and so the the person who invented the test. Their reason is that in the US it puts the fear of god into people and then they seek curative treatment that frequently is unnecessary and often causes terrible side effects.
I really would also suggest that you do a little reading on PSA and how profoundly inaccurate that it can be as a result of minor infections of the prostate, injury, or merely sexual activity. Along with that you might look up high PSA scores and people who have elevated PSA and no symptoms.
It is clearly evident from your stats that you could probably read on the topic for many years and not be taking any risks.
I wish you the best and don't forget to enjoy your life.
Finally, I am very sorry to hear about your daughter. I trust that her cancer was either benign or cured. I can't imagine that it wasn't a thoroughly frightening experience for you and for her.
Realistically, you have to stick around for a lot of years anyway to finish raising her and for what it is worth, you likely will.
Again, my best. Carl
Hi there Only
The Good Guys, The A Team, have zeroed in on your post with their unfailingly sound and considered advice, which historically raises the bar above any effort of mine. Between them and your Medico, you are in good hands and seemingly never to be in any danger of falling through the net of awareness.
The nasty scare that your Daughter's predicament would have given your Family is enough to have made you hypersensitive to any indicators of the dreaded C, in anyone. But thankfully you personally are not even close to an alarm bell going off. Age alone is going to see your PSA rise minimally and incrementally in any event. So try to not worry, for a decade and a half.
If my first post seemed uncaring/insensitive I apologise. I do believe in getting a grip and getting on top of anxiety. Dealing with facts and not fear. With respect, your moniker 'Only Me ' seems apologetic and in matters of your own health and even your status in this nasty, secular, aggressive and competitive world, apologising for One's existence is a handicap. I'm glad you bridled a bit. Well done. That's the spirit !
You are going to be fine. Just believe in that as a certainty. Then saddle up and ride out as head of the Family. Others are counting on you.
With Empathy, Respect and Warm Regards
Dudley
You make me smile, Dudley. I must admit to being one of those types who apologizes for my existance. Odd. Stephen Strum, M.D., the person who spearheaded the idea of intermittent androgen deprivation, in a consult with me asked if I'd help him examine whether or not people with a passive personality type are more prone to prostate cancer. I shared that I believe that is the case, although it would be interesting to do the research. I never took him up on the proposal.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that you provoked a smile in this crazy American! My Best, Carl
G'day carl05115 old mate...any chance you can expand a little on the traits of a 'Passive Personality Type'...
Glad to be of service Carl. I'll take all the forebearing and indulgent smiles I can get !
I Googled: Characteristics of a Passive PersonalityType. It said somewhere ' a lofty existence. ' O K , I get it ( I think ). For sure, it couldn't help the body / psyche 's natural functioning to bottle things up. I guess they might be of the type that needs a hammer and plaster gnomes at the bottom of the garden ?
Anyway, an ad that's just come up on my I pad is urging me to ' Find A Bikie Girlfriend '. So now, I'm off to ... Waco !
Warm Regards
Dudley
Don't be alarmed 'Only Me' I suggest your reading(s) are well within acceptable perameters and listen to your doctor. I have a PSA of 8.74 ng/ml which although considered above normal (0 - 4.5) isn't necessarily dangerous. I have had a MRI & Biopsy and awaiting my results. I question whether I should have gone as far as a biopsy. I'm 67. At 54 this sounds like just normal growth. Remember, there is quite a lot of controversy attached to PSA counts, even the guy who devised the system suggests this isn't foolproof. Have a beer and forget all the scaremongering!!
Thanks for the concern about my daughter it was three years ago. She was 24 years old when diagnosed and luckily things have went well. The treatments were not much fun but she survived and is doing really well now. Thanks again!!!
Dear Andrew,
PSA is not, in itself, dangerous. It is a measure of stress to the prostate. My PSA is not just over 80, I have no symptoms, DRE is unremarkable. If you look online for the highest PSA's you will find people alive and well with PSAs of 21,000! It is inevitable if you have prostate cancer, even if it is slow growing (my doubling time is just over five years) that your PSA will reach high levels if you live long enough. I turn 70 this year and fully expect to live to 85. At that point my PSA will be around 640. Personal choices that I have made and we'll see. You might choose to do something else. My Best, Carl
G'day back Kombi,
I could probably write a book on the topic, but here goes. Typology in psychology has fallen from favor and instead passive personality is a person who feels themselves to be generally unentitled without agency to effect change in their closest relationships. It contrasts with people who are aggressive, entitled to whatever they want even at the expense of others. Within a relationship people generally fall into being either more entitled or less entitled.
Less entitled males are overly domesticated/over-civilized and neglect to advocate for their needs. In the sexual part of a relationship they enjoy the pair bonding stage of an early relationship where there is a lot of sex and their female partner is proceptive (seeking sexual contact). When the pair-bonding stage withers and the woman typically becomes less proceptive, but remains receptive, their passive male partner does not effectively assert his needs and therefore sex within the relationship withers.
It was the belief of Dr. Strum, MD, the advocate of cutting androgen deprivation therapy to "intermittent" androgen deprivation therapy (because androgen deprivation is causally linked to significant decline in cognitive functioning (a rather nasty side effect) that the passive personality male tends to be prone to prostate cancer. That is my general observation as well, although as far as I know the hypothesis has never been tested.
Hope that helps, Carl
So it was just as well then Carl, that I had so much testosterone that I had to live in a tree.
Thanks carl 05115...yet again it seem that I am an exception to the norm...:-)
You're making me smile again Dudley. And for what it is worth to you, I'm not real sure any of us ever made it out of the tree.....I know I haven't. Carl
Hi Kombi,
At least in some ways it is best we are all unique.......as well as so much the same. Carl