Waterboy17

Thank you so much! I hope PGA read this. You sound like an MD. Very knowledgeable response. It was a tough decision to make, for sure. My provider found a nodule during his digital rectal exam and , along with a rise in my PSA, recommended a Bx. Turns out, it was just a prominent apex. One quadrant out of 12 showed Cancer cells however. I opted for DiVinci surgery and have been normal since (some expected side effects though). I wish the best for PGA. Thank you for your excellent input! My best reference source was a book on Prostate Cancer by Dr. Walsh from John Hopkins. He was a pioneer on the subject. Learned a lot from it.

 

In the case of the prostate cancer, I was the patient, but needless to say, I questioned many things and got involved. The main thing that I disagreed with was the urodynamics test conclusions, since failure to provide a sufficient specimen can be for 2 main reasons. Either the urethra is restricted, or the position and relationship between an enlarged prostate and the bladder can restrict contraction. Difficulty and pain passing urine suggests the former, wile a fast and unrestricted flow for a few seconds, followed my nothing to pass suggest the latter. In this case, the bladder is running between about 75% and full. Also, when this condition exists, A Turp procedure with all it's consequences is definitely not required. Unfortunately numerous mistakes have been made due to insufficient observations of the points that I highlighted. As you know, the Turp procedure involves removal of he section of the urethra passing through the prostate to allow the reaming, then replaced by a stent, along with rerouting sperm into the bladder. A horrible procedure, with risk of infection, along with a risk of spreading malignant cells.
Fortunately, living in London, my treatment was at the Royal Marsden, considered by many as world leaders in cancer research and treatment. Therefore, I was put under Anette Tree, who is regarded as a world authority on cancer. She lectures all over the world, but mainly in western Europe.

You mentioned in your introduction that your work included cardiology, but you did not mention whether it was in cardiothoracic surgery. If so, I would love to hear your view on TAVI, particularly the improvement on the Edwards valve by Medtronics that increased the prognosis from 5 to 25 years, while reducing the anticoagulants to 75mg of Aspirin per day. The move away from transfemoral entry and reduction of mitral clipping is also interesting.

 

Thank you so much for your value able information.
Just I like to know if the PSA test is the only indication factor to diagnosis the cancer why my PSA was 3.5 but I got cancer?

 

Well, I hope you did well with whatever choice you made. How long has it been since your intervention? I am 10-12 years out from my Prostatectomy. The only side effect was a bit of frequency. The DiVinci device leaves minimal scarring. Hope you didn’t have a TURP. The Interventional Radiologists that I worked with in the 1990’s stayed away from performing them.
In Cardiology,I worked in the Cardiac Cath Lab. We did the Diagnostic Heart Cath’s and usually the Interventions in the same setting……Angioplasty, Stents, Rotoblation, Pacemakers, and ElectroPhysiology studies. In Interventional Radiology we did the rest of the body. I was lucky to work in that time (1970-2015). Happily retired now. Good Luck…..

 

I am so appreciate to wilsjane and waterboy 17 , who present their experience and medical knowledge honestly, that are so useful for many guys in this forum. It is a perfect chance for all of us to ask if we have any question related to our problems.
Thank you guys, God bless you.

 

This is a reliable guide published by a research organisation in the UK.
Most papers are either idiot guides, or medical papers intended for doctors performing various procedures. This one bridges the gap, it includes several links.
The status of your body prior to the test, including periods following sexual activity may explain variations in your results. It is one factor little known by many general doctors.

Your Quick Guide to PSA Tests


It’s common to be confused about PSA: what it is, what your PSA level means, whether you should have a PSA test and where you can get one.


What is PSA?
PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. PSA is a chemical made by the prostate, which is secreted into the semen. However, small amounts of PSA find their way into the blood.

PSA is used as a prostate cancer test, but it’s normal to have a small amount of PSA in your blood.

What does a PSA test involve?
A PSA test is a blood test for prostate cancer. A small amount of blood will be taken from a vein in your arm and sent to a laboratory to measure your PSA levels. This can be done in your GP surgery.

You may also be offered a digital rectal examination, and some urine tests.

What happens after your PSA tests depends on your results. If you have slightly elevated PSA, you will be called back to have the test repeated at a later date. If you have a high PSA, your GP may discuss referring you to a specialist, and you will be offered further tests such as a biopsy and/or an MRI.

What is a normal PSA?
For those aged between 50 and 69, a PSA level of above 3 nanograms per millilitre is considered raised. However, only one in four men with a PSA level between 4 and 10 micrograms per litre has prostate cancer. There are various reasons for a raised PSA level. A high PSA does not necessarily mean you have cancer, nor does a lower level mean you do not.

Does an elevated PSA mean I have cancer?
About 3 out of 4 men with a raised PSA level will not have cancer.

A high PSA (also called raised PSA or elevated PSA) can be a sign of common prostate problems which are not related to cancer, such as prostatitis, or even a urine infection. Certain sports and medications may also temporarily affect PSA levels. You should avoid sexual activity for 48 hours before a PSA test. This is because ejaculation can temporarily increase your PSA levels.

If you decide to have a PSA test, your GP will talk to you about what you should do before your test to help get an accurate result. It is important that you tell your GP about any medications you are taking, including over the counter remedies and any kind of herbal or natural health supplements.

What are the benefits of PSA tests?
PSA tests can pick up some prostate cancers before they have any symptoms. This means that the patient can then make a decision about whether they should undergo treatment or watchful waiting for their cancer.

It can also mean that if the cancer is fast growing, it may be possible to start treatment early enough to stop the cancer spreading beyond the prostate and becoming advanced prostate cancer.

What’s wrong with PSA testing?
There are concerns about a PSA test’s real ability to detect prostate cancer. About 3 out of 4 men with high PSA will not have cancer and about 1 in 7 prostate cancers can be missed.

Most men with high PSA tests will undergo a biopsy, which is a painful and invasive procedure. There are also concerns that many prostate cancers detected by PSA will never cause any problems, leading to unnecessary treatment and worry.

Should I get a PSA test?
That’s a decision only you can make.

We hear from many men who did get PSA tests and want more people to get tested. This is because they believe catching their cancer early saved their life.

Some people argue that PSA testing should be given to all men, as it’s the best test we currently have. Others feel that it is not accurate enough and that the potential risks, especially of unnecessary biopsy and treatment and the related quality of life issues, mean that PSA is not a good option.

Speaking to your GP about a PSA test does not commit you to having one.

Other good sources of information include:

• Public Health England (PHE) patient information sheet
• SWOP: an online decision aid developed by the University of Rotterdam
• Information Leaflet from Tackle Prostate
• Information Booklet from Prostate Cancer UK
• NHS Website

Can you get PSA on the NHS?
There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer. This is because the government doesn’t believe that PSA is accurate enough.

However, the NHS runs an Informed Choice Programme, called Prostate Cancer Risk Management. Under this programme, any man over 50 can get the PSA test for free on the NHS.

To avail of this, simply ask your GP.

Your GP will discuss the pros and cons of PSA testing with you in light of your personal medical history, and can arrange a free PSA test for you.

Find your GP
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God bless you,too! Best of luck…….

 

Dear Dr. wilsjane
Your generous information is so useful and shows your ultimate human responsibility.
I believe if someone teach me even one word, I will be his slave for all my life!! Lol
I am not a medical doctor, but I have deal with the science all my life, so I understand fully how the medical science have been developed to save the human life which it had been a dream 20 or 30 years ago.
My case, was surprised at least for myself, I have recorded my PSA results for more than 20 years which its rate never have raised up more than 2.8. But last year it jumped up to 3.5 and 3.9 . Surprising, when my urologist saw the results he said no worry it is under the boarder line, so after I showed him the long term data and I told him according to this document there should be something wrong, then he ordered MRI and the rest of treatment.
That's why I am worried about the PSA result. As you said PSA is the only test to check for probably cancer, so I kind ley ask you after the radiation, what should be the presutur to make sure about the curing the issues?
Thanks