What screening do I need with a PSA of 0.2?

[YankeeChris]

My older brother has prostate cancer, as did our dad. My brother's doctors told him that his brothers (i.e., me) should get screened for PCa. I have a 0.2 PSA for many years. What additional screening do I need? Thanks.

[Cynthgob]

My dr told me that my son should not accept anything above 0. She asked that she be allowed to see his results as he’s in high risk. I hope this helps.

[charlesmeyers1964 in reply to Cynthgob]

first have u done any investigation about prostate cancer?, readings, checking any sites. 0-4.0 is normal if u have anything above 0. then u don't have cancer unless there is more proof of it your son is normal dude.

[Cynthgob in reply to charlesmeyers1964]

Don’t shoot the messenger. I have done a lot of reading. My dr is one of the top in country. Her instructions were anything over nadir she wanted to see the tests. That’s all the information I have.

[packfan in reply to Cynthgob]

This may be leading to confusion. I believe the question was about a PSA level for someone that has never been treated for PCa. The response from Cynthgob talked about "anything over nadir", leading me to believe that comment was for someone post RT.

[YankeeChris in reply to packfan]

Right. I have never been diagnosed or treated for PCa. I was asking about what type of screening I might or should do, given my (I) family history of PCa, (ii) the general recommendation of my brother's doctors to get screened (but I was never examined or treated by those doctors), and (ii) my low PSA which has been steady for years at 0.2. My conclusion is that there is no addition screening necessary.

[packfan in reply to YankeeChris]

YankeeChris - I agree your PSA level is great and no additional screening is needed. Monitoring your PSA every few years is not a bad idea given family history, especially if this is a normal part of a yearly physical in any case.

[dac500]

If you have prostate cancer, your PSA would rise. PSA can also rise for other reasons as well.

[Fairwind]

Your PSA is low-normal...No further testing is required...You might have a PSA test done every year to establish a baseline..What's more important than the number is the speed at which it increases. As men age, their PSA normally increases slowly.....Don't insult your prostate gland for 48 hours before a PSA test. (sex, bike riding, horseback riding)..

[YankeeChris in reply to Fairwind]

Thanks, that's what I thought. My PSA has not increased since I began getting it checked about a decade ago.

[Tall_Allen]

MSK has a protocol that I call "thrice in a life." They advocate

1) a single PSA in one's 40s - if less than 1...

2) a single PSA in one's 50s - if less than 1...

3) a single PSA in one's 60s - if less than 1, stop getting PSAs!

If you are in your 60s, you are home free.

mskcc.org/cancer-care/types...

[YankeeChris in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks. I am 65.

[Break60 in reply to YankeeChris]

Congrats!

[cesanon]

The absolute level isn't so important. The doubling time is what is important.

[charlesmeyers1964]

will its hereitxdy i would get it checked like most men who like u don't have pc. say 1x per year or 2 xs max

[j-o-h-n]

Well I always heard it was once a year when you're over 50. Look for 4.0 or higher or if suddenly spikes from one year to the next. Keep blood reports for historical reasons. Try to get the same Lab to do the analysis each time. And don't forget the yearly Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) from your urologist. That's the best time you'll have and worth the price of admission.

Remember to ask the urologist to use two fingers because you want a second opinion.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 12/13/2018 7:36 PM EST

[Hidden]

I agree that your current PSA warrants no further screening. But please do have it checked yearly. My husband is stage IV Gleason 9 with bone Mets. When he was diagnosed he encouraged his younger brother to be checked. He did and found he had a slight elevation in his PSA ( 5). even though his doctor advised a wait-and-see approach he insisted on a biopsy and yes he had the same aggressive cancer. He had his prostate removed before it metastasized. My husband feels good that he helped save his brother.

[Cynthgob in reply to Hidden]

My advice from my dr was anything over 0 for my son who is 40. I would think age 65 is quite different. Family history of an aggressive cancer plays into our situation. Dr is prominent in prostate cancer fight.