Moving to 6 month psa check

[twostrats]

I wonder if anyone in this forum felt like they wish they would have stayed with the 3 month psa check rather than moving to 6 month psa checks

[Jpl506]

I was supposed to switch in December but I’m not ready yet so I’m sticking with 3 month for now.

[Gl448]

We’re you given the option or your doctor choose for you?

[Don_1213]

Easy fix for that - have each of your MD's order a test.. My urologist orders one, my medical oncologist orders one and my radiation oncologist orders one. I see each of them twice a year, that means 6 PSA tests annually - average time between tests is 2 months. I'd also suggest you insist they include a T (testosterone) test be done at the same time. Without knowing what your T is - the PSA test is less indicative of possible recurrence, especially if your primary treatment was radiation/ADT. If you want even more frequent tests - ask your GP to order one also when they do your 6 month blood reads.

[Nusch]

I feel better with 3-months checks. I would consider longer periods only after five years of undetectable PSA in the absence of any treatment. Hope to experience this in my future life.

[Hidden]

Hey twostrats! I’ve had tri monthly testing for 8 yrs this month . Psa < .1 and t=3 … this entire time …now My new mo is talking about me going to 6 months instead .. fine with me ! Good luck!

[CarverD]

After HDRB 10/2020 I have been on a 3 month PSA schedule. Doc said I could go to 6 months after a year but I wasn't comfortable with that. I'm finally ready to switch to 6 months for the next 2.5 years and maybe forever more. Not sure I'll ever be ready to go back to annual testing. My GP orders that test whenever I ask him to do so which is rather convenient.

[epfj3333]

Why change? It's a pin prick every three months. Then you don't have to wonder if PSA is going up for an extra three months.

[treedown]

I never made it to that de ision so congrats if it's that time. That said this is your decision not your Drs so what do you want. Test anxiety is complex and the anxiety caused by not getting one when you want is as valid a reason as not having to think about it for 3 more months. Its easy for a Dr to value the latter but its not that simple IMO.

[Gl448]

I’m still not clear if you want less frequent testing or more…

For more frequent testing many states slow patients to order their own blood tests. I use Quest Diagnostics. PSA is $69 from them. That’s not cheap, but it’s an option.

[Teufelshunde]

I also just order my own from UltaLabTests.com and draw is at any Quest. $63 for the ultra-sensitive test that goes to <0.02. THey have 20% sales often also.

[Papillon2 in reply to Teufelshunde]

I do the same. Because as soon as things start trending north, I want to know about it.

[jazzy53]

I just switched from three months to six after a PET scan showed no evidence of spread despite my PSA creeping up a bit over the two years since ADT ended. Radiation oncologist said the longer interval would make no difference in my longterm survival and could alleviate some of the roller-coaster test anxiety I'd been experiencing. I am comfortable with this.