I'm new here...

[Cory_777]

My prostate is very enlarged and I have to get up several times in the night to go to the bathroom. My father died of prostate cancer, so I'm vulnerable. My PSA is staying steady at about 6 after rising over the last few years from about 3. My doctor and I check my PSA every 6 months. Watchful waiting.

I eat a plant-based diet to help combat any nascent cancer I might have. My doctor says it is likely I do have prostate cancer in its beginning stages.

If it wasn't for the threat of this disease, I think it is likely I would live to over 100. I hear people say, "Just ignore prostate cancer because you'll most likely die of another age-related disease before prostate cancer kills you." But that is probably not true in my case because, apart from my prostate, I'm in amazingly good health and have good aging genes in my family.

I would greatly value any advice on prostate cancer. Is there anything else I should be doing at this stage beyond eating healthily and keeping physically fit?

[Tall_Allen]

There is a simple blood test called Prostate Health Index (PHI) that is more specific than just PSA. It can help you avoid an unnecessary biopsy. Finasteride (Proscar) will shrink your enlarged prostate. Other medicines that may help are an alpha-blocker (like Flomax) and Cialis (it isn't just for ED).

[Cory_777 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you! Do you recommend the 4kscore test?

[Tall_Allen in reply to Cory_777]

PHI and 4Kscore are similar. Because PHI is FDA-approved, it is covered by medicare and most insurance and it is less expensive to begin with.

[Hidden]

Has your doctor given you the DRE test? My PSA was only 2.7 when a DRE turned up an abnormal firmness that got me sent for a biopsy. Gleason 8. I had TURP surgery for an enlarged prostate 10 years prior to this biopsy. When they do the TURP they can examine bits of the ablated prostate tissue for cancer. My only regret is that I didn't get the TURP done sooner. There is also a new technology called 'Rezum' which is a little less invasive than TURP. I saw a poster touting that at my urology exam room.

[Cory_777 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! Is DRT Digital Rectal Exam?

[Hidden in reply to Cory_777]

Yes. What some might refer to as the fickle finger test.