One year Anniversary of undetectable ... - Prostate Cancer N...

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One year Anniversary of undetectable PSA!

Shipsin profile image
28 Replies

I just had my fourth PSA test after RALP on 11-16-2023. It is still undetectable, below .006! I had 6mm positive bladder neck margins and Gleason 9.

I am so happy and want to shout from the rooftops, but also realize there are many struggling with treatments. I posted in a PC FB group but not on my main page and in Reddit and now here.

My Dr suggested we could go to PSA tests every 6months now. Mentally I’m not ready for that and opted to continue quarterly testing. I also thoroughly enjoy the Dr visits to celebrate where we are now!

What is everyone doing for testing intervals for PSA?

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Shipsin
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28 Replies
ToolBeltZia profile image
ToolBeltZia

Congratulations Brother!!

Don717 profile image
Don717

That's fantastic!! Even better with your pathology. I feel your pain on posting positive updates as I always feel guilty doing that as well knowing a lot of folks aren't as fortunate. I have a bit of a risky pathology too but I'm still <.02 after 37 months. However, I had trouble moving from 3 month to 6 month testing too. I did so at the 2 year mark with my uro's approval after I denied his approval at 1 year. It took reading a bunch of data citing undetectable levels months after RP before I felt comfortable moving to 6 month testing. Hoping the same for you...good luck to ya!

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toDon717

Thank you for this!!! I have all been reading a ton of data and do this maybe too much..... Although we need to be the most informed!! Thanks again and good luck on your journey!

ManuteBol1 profile image
ManuteBol1

Congrats on the report! That is great news given your pathology! I’m also at <0.006 on the LabCorp test. My urologist tests at 8 weeks post RP and then every four months thereafter until the visit at 14mos post-op. I have my next test in late Jan. My preference is to stay every four months for year two, regardless if he pushes for every 6 months then.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toManuteBol1

Thank you ! I appreciate the reply. I have only seen one reply so far on FB that went with the drs guidance of moving to 6 months and then annually. The mental aspect of it is the hardest. I'm sure I'll get there but not yet!!

Good luck on your journey!!

ManuteBol1 profile image
ManuteBol1

As for the comment on your reluctance to post good news….I think it is very important for people to post good news on these forums because there is huge negative selection bias in the posts. Positive news provides optimism to those in the early stages of the process.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toManuteBol1

Thank you again!! I appreciate your viewpoint. I know how much I value good news!! I am Mr Sunshine and Rainbows to all around me!

National4894 profile image
National4894 in reply toManuteBol1

Agreed and AMEN! I 2nd that!

Nusch profile image
Nusch

Congrats and enjoy the days, wonderful news, especially at Christmas times. Regarding testing interval: do whatever feels right for you.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toNusch

thank you!

conbio profile image
conbio

Awesome dude! Congratulations. I'm on 3 month intervals yet for another year. So far so good.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toconbio

Thank you and good luck on your journey

leach234 profile image
leach234

Normal is every 3 months for 2 years. Then every 6 months for years 3-4 and then every year starting at year 5.

I was a Gleason 8 with a 2mm positive margin. I’m going on year 7 now with annual tests that have been <0.02 which is the lowest Quest Diagnistics can detect.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin

thank you! I like that schedule! Congratulations and good luck on your journey!

aceace12 profile image
aceace12

😀, congrats and good luck ....

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toaceace12

Thank you!

LiveLongAndPropser profile image
LiveLongAndPropser

Congrats! So glad to be able to read positive outcomes here, especially with your diagnosis. We all need to hear this and have some inspiration. May you continue on the path of health!

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toLiveLongAndPropser

Thank you!!! I appreciate your feedback and will continue to post good news when I have it!!

Lrv44221 profile image
Lrv44221

congratulations Shipsin!!!! This is wonderful and I’m so glad you posted this. I love to hear great things on this site and I’m thinking others do too. I’m happy 😃 because it doesn’t mean everything is perfect but I look beyond the imperfections lol

Thank you so very much.💜💜💜

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toLrv44221

Thank You!!! Glad to be able to provide positive news with this disease! Everything isn't perfect for sure but things are looking up!!

Good Luck on your journey!!

MarkS profile image
MarkS

That's great! I'm G9 and had RT last March. My test in the summer was <0.1 (standard NHS test) and the latest in Oct was <0.006 (more sensitive test). I've now switched to 6m testing as nothing much would be done if it only rises a little bit anyway.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin

thanks and great news! Good luck on your journey

CANAMA profile image
CANAMA

I have had undetectable PSA readings quarterly for seven years. My head oncologist at MSK two months ago, said no to annual PSA readings, was against 6 mos. readings and preferred quarterly draws. I'm staying with quarterly PSA testing.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toCANAMA

Thank you for this!! Good luck on your journey!

Mgtd profile image
Mgtd

I am 18 months post radiation and my RO is now yearly PSA with my visit and my MO stayed at 6 months per my request. When I see her I get a PSA test. I also get a yearly PSA on my annual physical.

It feels great to be back on autopilot.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toMgtd

That’s great! Thanks for the feedback!

Papillon2 profile image
Papillon2

Congratulations on your one-year Anniversary! Wishing you many more milestones ahead.

Shipsin profile image
Shipsin in reply toPapillon2

Thank you!!

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