Why have a prostate cancer test

[woozer]

3 years ago a colleague of my husband was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and spent the rest of his time urgig all his male colleagues to have the very simple blood test -sadly he within a year - he was 55 and so was my husband. My husband had no symptoms at all but after much nagging went for the blood test - to shut us all up ! It came back with a slight possibility of a positive diagnosis, the doctor wasnt worried but said he could have a biopsy if he wanted to - so he opted to have a biopsy. Thank goodness he did he had the start of what his surgeon described as an extremely aggresive form of the cancer which would probably have killed him within 5 years. He has had a full prostectomy and is now fit fine and showing no signs of the cancer in his blood tests. It certainly isnt the end of sex and he has excellent bladder control.
Not every prostate cancer is the same and most are very slow growing - the doctors say many old men have prostate cancer but it is so slow to progress that nearly all die of something else - so dont panic BUT PLEASE GO AND HAVE A BLOOD TEST

[Sqad]

Good advice.

[marval]

I agree very good advice, any test can possibly save your life. So always go for it, or it could be too late.

[Clanad]

Here in the U.S., most doctors recommend the PSA ( prostate specific antigen ) test at each years general physical exam, but what I've found is that the PSA test can show elevated results (normal 2.0 - 4.0 nanograms per millimeter of blood)) very quickly and just as quickly return to normal... say within 3 to 6 weeks. My doc says this is due to various things, such as bladder infection, prostatitis, age, etc.
I found that there's another test than can help confirm or decide what the PSA test is telling one. It's known (at least in the U.S.) as the "percent-free" PSA. One authoritative site says: " Typically, men have a percent-free PSA above 25%. Between 10% and 25% is considered an intermediate range and below 10% is considered to be low." Rendered differently, the per-cent free test should be above 25%. Even then, a good Urologist may strongly suggest a biopsy (this is not a thing to be considered lightly and you may wish to request an anathesia).
As the poster has stated, the important thing is to get the test...

[thetruthhurts]

Is there a recommended age at which to consider testing or are all ages susceptible?

[Sqad]

Thetruthhurts.....in the UK there is no recommended age for PSA testing, but in my opinion it should be over 40years of age for routine testing, possibly annually.

Clanad points out that the PSA contains two components one of which is cancer demonstrative and one which isn´t. This test is available in the UK and is used when the PSA levels are "marginal".
It is pointless to use this when PSA levels are markedly elevated as this would necessitate biopsy.

[Whoever]

I hope all men will take your good advice, but I suspect many will not. It's a sad but well known fact that many men are reluctant to go to the doctor about anything. We women are used to going for our regular mammograms and smear tests and it's a pity that a similar prostate cancer test doesn't exist for men. I suspect that with all the cuts which are happening at the moment, even though the NHS is supposed to be ring fenced. this is not likely to happen.

[fbg40]

Hi woozer
Very interested to read your post as I have just been diagnosed with Prostate cancer. Luckily it is the least aggressive type and the prognosis from the urology consultant who carried out the biopsy is good. I had had two previous biopsies that proved negative, but this time had a Template Guided Perineal Biopsy - not very pleasant but proved it's worth. I now have to return to discuss the treatment next week. I would like to see all men over 50 screened for prostate cancer - I have had an enlarged prostate for about 5 to 6 years and I am now 62. Glad to hear that hubby is doing well.
FBG40

[Hopkirk]

That's hardly a blood test, Doc (unless you have other problems down there)

[woozer]

Oh dear doc! - The blood test has replaced the finger test in most cases - give it a go !
I wish the powers that be would make it more widely known that the finger test is not the only test - perhaps more men would be prepared to go for testing

[fbg40]

Hi All
This is a follow up to my post on the 2nd August. After discussions with the urologist, it was decided that a Prostatectomy was my best option, as I went into retention twice, and it would be a better option than radiotherapy (this would have meant continual screening and further biopsies every 2/3 years) or brachytherapy.Anyway, I saw him on the 18th August, had pre-op assessment on 20th August and surgery by Robotic Assisted Laparoscopy on the 23rd August - back home on the 25th August. It was the best decision I have ever made. I can pee properly for the first time in a long while, have no prostate cancer anymore and can look forward to no more biopsies !! I am doing well, only very minor "leakage" that is getting better by the day - the only minor problem is the soreness and bruising as a result of "being stabbed 6 times" - the surgeon's words not mine.I would reiterate that all men should consider a PSA test as soon as they reach 50 and annually thereafter.
All for now, anybody with questions about the procedure, I will answer as far as my experience will allow.
FBG40