Get Your PSA Tests, Folks

[jyl]

A good friend of mine, in his 70's, was diagnosed with an unusual, aggressive form of prostate cancer.

He just had the surgery and will know shortly if it spread to his lymph nodes. He already knows that his sex life is over.

His doctor hadn't tested him for PSA for a few years, the insurance company reminded him to get tested, and that was fortunate.

So, Pelicans of a certain age, get yourself tested.

[Crowbob]

I recall a recent study published in a very highly respected medical journal saying the PSA test it too unreliable and is no longer recommended like it used to be. Too many false negatives IIRC. I notice way fewer PSA commercials, if any lately.

[jyl]

okey, get your digital exams then.

[A930Rocket]

A good friend of mine in his late 40's had a high psa count. Was cancer and he had his prostate removed, chemo, etc. He's in remission now a couple years later.

It's not an old mans disease. Get it checked!

[tcar]

The "sex is over" thing is way overblown... just not true in most cases.

Nerve-sparing robotic-assisted surgery is becoming very common... very good chance of nerves being OK if you catch it before it spreads a lot.

http://www.davinciprostatectomy.com/index.aspx

[jyl]

I think depends on if they remove the nerves?

[Rick Lee]

I'm 39 and had my first prostate exam a year ago, but have been having PSA tests annually for a long time. So far so good. It's such a preventable disease. I prefer to take more rewarding risks than just not getting tested regularly.

[Targa Me]

Especially get PSA tested as well as digit exam if you're on a testosterone therapy.

[Chocaholic]

Just had it tested last week (age 51). Decided to skip the digital exam. PSA was 1.2. Easy enough to have checked along with your cholesterol every year.

[blk911]

You need to establish a baseline and then get your PSA checked every year, along with digital. If you PSA increases more than 20 percent over prior year, even if still within limits, time to get a biopsy. My father went through this about six years ago and is fine today. The earlier you detect it, the more treatment options you have, and more importantly, the less aggresive you have to treat it.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by blk911

You need to establish a baseline and then get your PSA checked every year, along with digital. If you PSA increases more than 20 percent over prior year, even if still within limits, time to get a biopsy. My father went through this about six years ago and is fine today. The earlier you detect it, the more treatment options you have, and more importantly, the less aggresive you have to treat it.

+1 and as mentioned below, its not just an older men decease... 40 is a good rule of thumb unless you got family history.

[cgarr]

Whats the digital exam? Is that when the Doctor takes off his watch?

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by cgarr

Whats the digital exam? Is that when the Doctor takes off his watch?

Its the updated version of the analogue one

[aigel]

Digital exam sounds fancy, but unfortunately it refers to the index finger ...

I hope as I age small ultrasound transducers are used in annual physicals. I think now they are only used for more accurate follow ups which is dumb, as by the time your quack feels something with a finger, you are in bad shape already.

George

[Targa Me]

My doctor is female with small fingers so the digit exam is not so scary, that plus she's hot looking.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Targa Me

My doctor is female with small fingers so the digit exam is not so scary, that plus she's hot looking.

Don't forget to ask her, as she is taking the glove off, if it was good for her too?

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by blk911

You need to establish a baseline and then get your PSA checked every year, along with digital. If you PSA increases more than 20 percent over prior year, even if still within limits, time to get a biopsy. My father went through this about six years ago and is fine today. The earlier you detect it, the more treatment options you have, and more importantly, the less aggresive you have to treat it.

Seems a bit excessive if no family history. Heck...variability in lab equipment/calibration could account for 20%...especially if you're on the low end (0.5 - 1.5). I can see having a biopsy if it's really warranted, but sheesh.

[jyl]

Do you give her a good squeeze?

Quote de Targa Me

My doctor is female with small fingers so the digit exam is not so scary, that plus she's hot looking.

Don't forget to ask her, as she is taking the glove off, if it was good for her too?

[Targa Me]

LOL, i hadn't thought about the squeeze, but I should.

[imcarthur]

On a serious note, my brother died of PC last year. He fought it - a very aggressive strain - for almost a decade. Surgery. 2 bouts of chemo. A gradual but complete obsession with his disease consumed him. For the last 6 yrs, he didn't work - except for research on PC treatments. He tried herbal for years. He became convinced that most foods were killing him by increasing his testosterone levels. He even got involved (and obsessed with - clinical trials). I could go on & on. His last PSA test was 3200, I think. He was 57.

Sorry to be a downer on the thread, but I lived it with him. I had a biopsy years ago after his diagnosis. Negative but enlarged. I should go back, but I haven't . . .

Ian

PS: He was also 10 years HIV+ which he announced when he became bedridden but that's another story.