Psa Levels

[Davina61]

In the last five years my husband has had two biopsies to check for prostate cancer due to having raised PSA levels, the last one just over a year ago. He has now had another blood test and his PSA has gone up again to 14.5. Does anyone know if there any other test you can have done instead of a biopsy that can give an accurate diagnosis.

[Sqad]

In simple terms......YES

The PSA is the standard test.....but you already know that.

1) Percentage Free PSA
2) Urine PC3

There is varying opinions and I am not sure if all path depts offer theses tests.

MRI scan would be my next move, but not sure if this is available on the NHS for prostate cancer.

Good luck.

[Sqad]

Off to my Club now, back in one hour if you have any further queries.

[Wak]

The following may be of interest as it relates to keeping the PSA readings down.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261688.php

I take Curcumin capsules and drink Pomegranate juice which I believe brought my PSA down last July and now have to only have further blood tests this coming December and next June and so I avoided another biopsy.

[Sqad]

Wak.......that is an interesting study for people that have had prostate cancer diagnosed by biopsy.
From my understanding, Davinia's husband has never had a diagnosis of prostate cancer and in his case any treatment to suppress the PSA may well be dangerous in obscuring a rising PSA which could indicate that another biopsy was necessary.

[trt]

I posted this below about the same problem a few weeks ago.
I never had a biopsy as the consultant said after my scan it was OK ,and my blood test had gone down to 1.99 form 11.? and I have to go back in December to take another BT to see if all is well.

Hope this helps.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1276969.html

[Peter Pedant]

There may be other ways but if the treating doctors want to biopsy I would have it.

[ I had an incomplete biopsy for a completely unrelated disease, lymphoma, and was particularly ungrateful toward the physician who missed the 15cm tumour as in my case it puts me in a bad prognostic category ]

I like biopsies I think they are fun - but there again I did think of becoming a pathologist er about 50 y ago.

Sqad like Solomon did say - opinions vary....