I can't understand my PSA

[WallaceW]

I got diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. I am doing active surveillance and see a rise in my PSA from 4.4 last December to 5.1 today. Should I be concerned? My doctor says not to worry but I am thinking I might have missed an opportunity to get my PSA last March because of covid. If it's rising, doesn't that mean I need more treatment? Did it rise enough to warrant more treatment? Is my doctor wrong to tell me not to worry?

[aceace12]

do you have or had prostatitus ?

[WallaceW in reply to aceace12]

No, I do not. I don't have any infections and in good health.

[aceace12 in reply to WallaceW]

did you a orgasms at least 48 hours prior to you testing your PSA

[WallaceW in reply to aceace12]

I don't think so. I was told no strenuos excercise for two days prior to the test.

[aceace12 in reply to WallaceW]

ok if you have sex and have orgasm it will raise your PSA a level .. its best to not have sex at least 3 days before having PSA test

[goodley1]

Hi,

Without knowing your treatment details , it is not really possible to say but persist with your GP for an explanation of seemingly doing nothing.

I expect there is a good reason.

Seek 2 nd opinion perhaps, if you are still not happy.

[goodley1]

Hi,

Ok, so observation now at pre treatment stage and the next would be a biopsy, So need to discuss (or re discuss) with GP when he/she feels it’s time. I assume a digit examination has also been done.

But if you were diagnosed with cancer, has a biopsy already been done?

If so, then ok, discuss treatment and why a wait?

You should at least be clear what’s is in their mind.

g

[OttoK]

Covid should not stop you getting a blood test. They cancelled one of mine (post op) and the cancellation was so close to the date, I pretended hadn't got it. I went to the hospital and sort of on insisted having one, there and then. Also, whether they go your GP or consultant, chase them for the results. (They use telephone a lot because of covid.)

Good job I did, when I finally got the results the reading was high and I am going for a full body scan on Monday, about which I am a tad scared.

So 1. don't let them cancel your tests 2. The key to everything is the scan, whether before op of after. So, I am not sure what being upgraded is but I guess it may be to get a scan. It's the scan which tell you whether you have cancer (and helps eg target radiation), or tells you if it comes back.

[aceace12]

your doctor should be doing something if it keeps rising

[Data-nerd]

Just picked up on this thread. You have received some good advice so far. Apart from sex before the blood test, there are many other factors that contribute to variability in PSA test results.

As a result you can make a meaningful comparison between any 2 consecutive test results. One significant source of variation is the lab that does the analysis- always have you blood analyzed by the same lab

If you post your last 4 test results I will graph them for you so you can see if there is any trend.