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The bottom line is that PSA is a bad test. It is falsely elevated the vast majority of times and falsely normal in a significant number of prostate cancers. It can be elevated by prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostate cancer, a rectal exam...and sometimes (I think) by holding your breath and crossing your eyes...just kidding.
Anyhow, I use PSA in my clinic because it is the only thing we have besides digital rectal exam for detection of prostate cancer. If the test is elevated then I will refer to a urologist for a possible ultrasound and biopsy.
Moses is right, prostate cancer is slow growing and sometimes not detected even on needle biopsy. If the PSA is normal and your DRE (digital rectal exam) is also normal then there is no indication for biopsy.
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Rick
1984 911 coupe
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