6 Month psa checks

[twostrats]

Just curious what the reasoning is behind going to 6 month psa checks after 1 year is.

[Hidden]

If you would like more frequent checks for your peace of mind, I would simply tell them.

[Tall_Allen]

I assume you are talking about PSA checks after RP? If so, PSA usually changes slowly, if at all, after a year of undetectable PSAs. You should be getting ultrasensitive PSA tests when you get them. There is PSA anxiety associated with frequent testing.

[sharpcut in reply to Tall_Allen]

TA. I never heard of Ultra Sensitive PSA testing I will ask MSK if there testing PSA is Ultra Sensitive. Thank You !

[TylexGP in reply to sharpcut]

MSK’s PSA testing is to two decimals so would be considered ultra sensitive PSA. At least that is true for my monthly PSAs at MSK. My last one was 0.11 ng/ml 6 mo post RT.

[SteveTheJ]

What I heard was, urologists like 6-month injections but oncologists like 3-month. I don't know why. IMHO, get a second opinion and go with the best information you can find (including here).

My very first Lupron injection (by a urologist) was 6 months but I've been doing 3 months ever since. Diagnosed two years ago, PSA is unmeasureable.

[MrG68]

Well the obvious answer is. generally, if you increase your psa testing frequency, you’ll be able to monitor more of your psa for changes. If you’re psa delta changes are small, then there’s less value in it. On the other hand, if you wanted to monitor a more aggressive cancer, you would probably want to do an increased frequency.Personally, I’ve done variable scheduled psa tests.

Sometimes I’ve done a series of monthly tests, others have been 3 monthly tests. This is because I want to see the results of any changes of diets, supplements, exercise and lifestyle in general.

I think also you should seriously be aware that psa tests have a lot of potential variability. People generally use the test in absolute value - I.e to see if it’s above a figure like 4 for example. This isn’t a good approach IMO. You should aim for a series of data points over time to see how the value changes. Increased frequency is required for this. That way you’ll be able to get a better representation of how your psa is changing and also at what rate.