prostrate cancer tests

[hank613]

What is accuracy of prostate cancer tests and what are considered "ggod numbers?"

[fbg40]

Hi Hank 613
"Good numbers" for PSA tests (the most common test for prostate cancer) are upto 4 or 5, depending on your doctor !! I had a "high" reading some 4 years ago (4.7) and my GP sent me to see a Urologist. He asked me to have a biopsy on my prostate, which I did, and thankfully it was clear. This specialist saw me every 6 months until last December, when he "signed me off". My readings during this period ranged from 4.0 upto just over 5. He explained that he had some patients who had high readings as much as 7, but never showed any signs of cancer - it depends on the person. I had two biopsies during that period, just to put my (and his !) mind at rest. They are not very pleasant but a necessity. If you feel you are having trouble with the "water works", then get it checked out asap. Hope this info helps.If you want to ask anything else, I suggest you visit the following website - www.theurologysite.com
This is the site started by the specialist I saw and gives a lot of info.
Good luck
FBG40

[Clanad]

While generally good advice, fbg40's explanation points up a concern that the medical community has had for a long time with the PSA Test. So much so, that the "good" numbers have been reduced (at least here in the U.S.) to 0 to 2.5. False positive findings (as decribed by fbg40's Dr.) are the bane of the test. In addition, False negative numbers are equally suspect. A new test, with limited but increasing availability here in the U.S. is the EPCA-2, (early prostate cancer antigen 2) test. Unlike the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) protein on which the current PSA test is based, this protein isn't found in normal prostate cells. Instead, EPCA-2 occurs in relatively large amounts only in prostate cancer cells. (Source Medical News Today).

I've had two friends that have experienced problems with the PSA test... one had a reading of 25, and after a series of excruciating biopsies was found to be cancer free while the other never had a reading of more than 2.5 but had to have the prostate surgically removed.

My own Dr. still relies on the touchy-feely method to assure the PSA tests as accurate. Just wish he had smaller fingers!

[hank613]

Thanks to all who have posted answers for me which have been a great help