psa for prostate cancer
psa for prostate cancer questions and answers
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Q: Question about pancreatic cancer? Attn: Health care providers?
Do you think they should make testing for pancreatic cancer a preventive measure, like the PSA is for prostate cancer. The survival rate of pancreatic cancer is very low and if say at age 45 the insurance covers a sonar or ct of the pancreas to catch it early so that many lives can be saved.
A: While pancreas cancer (PC) is not common compared to lung, breast, colon, and prostate, it is disproportionately lethal as nearly all with it will die. It is true that even when caught early this disease is extremely difficult to eradicate (not impossible, difficult).
Screening tests have to have several characteristics: cost-effective, safe, reliable, predictive. No current testing is good enough for PC. Most xray results would be false positives (and then require more work-up for people who are really well but no one believes it because the xray results look bad). Expense is a big issue, since again most people will be negative and you will be screening millions to pick up ~30-35,000 cases/year. Unfortunately, societal greater good trumps individual preferences here.
We do desperately need better preventive and screening measures for PC, but screening CT and US are not the answer. Maybe a blood test will be developed...
God bless, best wishes
Q: Are hormone injections a good option for prostate cancer?
My PSA is 7.1
A: It depends on the staging, etc of the tumor. Prostate cancer, caught early, can be very curable. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.
That's what they're there for.
It would be a shame to try some unproven herb and skip proven treatments. No, the AMA isn't an all seeing, all controlling conspiracy,as some may think.
Q: My doctor told me i have a prostate infection.?
I have had a problem peeing. I have had the problem for about a year.I have ask the doctor for a psa test. He said it a little big He put me on a antibiotic. For two weeks. Then he said in two weeks have a psa test. My dad has prostate Cancer. Can a infected prostate lead to cancer?
Sorry I should have said he checked my prostate and thought it might be larger than normal. I think answer # 2 is just looking for a few points.
A: Hello Terry D,
The PSA test and subsequent prescription of an antibiotic suggests to me that you have either benign prostatic hyperplasia or a prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). If this is indeed the case, allowing a couple of weeks for the medicine to work should decrease both the size and inflammation of the prostate thus decreasing the PSA levels on the next exam. However, if on the second test, the PSA level continues to go up, the possibility of a cancer may exist. Yet, please be reassured that these conditions are unrelated. The fact that you are sensing enough pain to seek medical help tends to rule out the cancer possibility. Since time is the only way to be sure of any possible diagnosis, you should continue to follow your doctor's present recommendations. Thanks.
Respectfully,
Dr. Roshin
Q: Hello, all- my husband had prostate cancer and had to have his prostate removed!?
He had his follow-up PSA test done this past week, but hasn't seen the Dr. yet! We got the results of the test from the office, from the nurse, which were .007. Does anyone know what this indicates?? Please let me know!!
Thanks for comments!!
A: the psa enzyme is primarily manufactured in the prostrate and often as a consequence of cancer development. My psa is 9.6 and I am about to have radiation treatment.
Your husband's psa reading seems excellent and an indication the cancer has been eliminated. Trust your doctor and write down all these type questions and ask the doctor to explain what he did and how that should solve the cancer problem.
Also go out and buy the book: "Prostrate and Cancer" by Dr. Sheldon Marks, M.D. It is the book the Norfolk Naval Hospital requires all prostrate cancer patients to buy and read before they will continue medical treatment. I bought mine on ebay. Buy the third edition. Prostrate treatment and medicine is a developing science.
Ken G
Q: Survival rates once prostate cancer has spread to lymph nodes and bones?
My husband (who is 45 years old) was diagnosed in Oct of 06'. Gleason 8 (4+4), Stage D. He is on Casodex and Eligard, and his PSA level is now 0.4. His doctors claim he can stay on these meds for many years.
HIs cancer has already spread to his spine, hip, left femur, and lymph nodes in his abdomen.
A: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_6x_Prostate_Cancer_Survival_Rates.asp?sitearea=
Q: Prostate cancer stages and prostatitis?
I had slighly elevated PSA but no nodule detected (twice in 3 months Febuary & April 2008) by Urologist. He suspected I had some sort of inflamation in the prostate and did not recommend biopsy because my free PSA is at 25%. He reassured me that if "I you had cancer, you are way ahead of the game". It is now almost a year and I will have to do the PSA again and I think it is still high since I have some chronic protatitis symptoms such as little pelvic discomfort, little lower back pain (on & off). If I had prostate cancer stage 1 when I first saw the Urologist (no nodule and a year ago), can it be a lot worse after a year? I am now like in hell waiting for blood test results. Do you think I just have chronic prostatitis? I am only 38 and so scared. Thanks.
A: Chances are big that nothing has changed at all:it might be chronic:better ask your Dr that next time.
And have a yearly blood test done
Or sooner if you get problems with peeing.
Colors
Q: The PSA and free PSA readings seem to have so many false positives with the obligatory biopsy. Experiences?
I'd like to hear from men who had frighteningly high PSA readings and free PSA readings under 10 who had a biopsy which came back both positive and negative for prostate cancer and th experiences they've had with this very scary scenario, especially the incredibly long two weeks it takes to get the results from the biopsy.
A: PSA tests can be very unreliable as more and more men discover that even if they have a high PSA level, they may not have prostate cancer.
Q: Prostate cancer - Bone Mets?
I have had prostate cancer for about 7 years.. 5 years ago I had my prostat removed after about 3 years my PSA went up to about .4 from undetectable. I went to a cancer specialist and they then gave me radiation therapy 38 treatments. For about 18 months my PSA has been undetectable. I just went to the DR. for hip and leg pain.. I was assuming it was arthritis (which i have been told i had once before from an xray in my lower back). The Dr. sent me for an X-RAY and said it was urgent because prostat cancer spreads to the hip first and it could be bone mets. I am waiting results. My question is .. can you have bone mets without a detectable PSA?? When I asked him that he said well it can happen. None of the cancer dr.'s ever told me that. I thougth that is why we monitor my PSA every 6-8 months to make sure it doesnt rise.. because if it does that is what would indicate spread? Any thoughts would be much appreciatated.
A: I agree with you I would not expect a spread with a low PSA
I would recommend joining this forum a good group of sincere friendly people
http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/forums/login.asp?target=default.asp
Q: Should the government be funding porn to prevent prostate cancer?
Studies show that ejaculation 3x a week help reduce prostate cancer by 15%. In fact, according to Australian studies, the more a man ejaculates between age 20 and 50, the lower his risk for prostate cancer will be.
Since we cannot assume every guy out there has a wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend willing to have sex 3x a week, nor can we assume that every guy has the funds to pay for his own porn in order to masturbate (we don't want the poor to suffer needlessly), I propose that government should provide free or low cost porn in the quest to prevent prostate cancer. Heck, they pay for everything else.
Your thoughts?
http://www.psa-rising.com/med/prevention/ejaculation72003.shtml
I'm sure this will be reported, but since I used all medical terms, shouldn't we take this as a serious discussion of cancer and not just of smutty sex?
A: The loony Liberals already are funding porn. You didn't really think they would miss an opportunity to spread perverted gay animal sex. Please!
"The NEA was given $80 million of the government's $787 billion economic stimulus bill to spread around to needy artists nationwide, and most of the money is being spent to help preserve jobs in museums, orchestras, theaters and dance troupes that have been hit hard by the recession.
But some of the NEA's grants are spicing up more than the economy. A few of their more risque choices have some taxpayer advocates hot under the collar, including a $50,000 infusion for the Frameline film house, which recently screened Thundercrack, "the world's only underground kinky art porno horror film, complete with four men, three women and a gorilla."
http://conservativexpress.blogspot.com/2009/07/outrage-stimulus-bill-funding-porn.html
A Gorilla! Come on Liberals! Do we really need to do that? A Gorilla!
Q: Has there ever been a 29 year old diagnosed with prostate cancer? I'm 29 with an enlarged prostate.?
Last year I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate (by rectal exam). I then lost my insurance and went a year without it (insurance). I recently started being seen by a doctor again and during my long overdue followup it was found that my prostate is even more enlarged now (but she said no lumps were felt). She is sending me to urology. She seemed very shocked about this and so am I. My dad was treated for prostate cancer a while back so it is in the family. My PSA last year was 0.4 and I haven't gotten the results from the one done today yet but my doctor cautioned that PSA results tend to not be very accurate in men under 40. I am really worried. Are my concerns without merit? Any professional opinions are greatly appreciated. I sincerely thank you for your time.
A little bit of my medical history. I do have extensive urinary problems such as dribbling and hesitation. Have had these for years. I also have type 2 diabetes, NASH liver disease, spinal stenosis, spinal arthrosis, desicated disc, thecal sac impingement, and more back issues.
A: Hi Mark, Man alive! Do you ever have a handful of troubles! Your back sounds a LOT like mine and I'm 67! I have been treated for prostate cancer and was hoping I could find something specific for you but couldn't. I guess you already know that your PSA score was great even if unreliable due to your age. Try not to stress too much over this, yeah, I know -easy for me to say -, but it really IS probably a benign enlarged prostate (I've been seeing a urologist for 5 years now and I ain't EVEN going to try and spell the medical term for it). So, in sum? I think your concerns have merit but not enough to stress over as long as you are able to continue seeing a doctor and get a biopsy done by the urologist to absolutely rule out cancer. That is, of course, if he/she feels it's warranted - I try super hard to never be my own doctor or tell other people what their doctor should be doing.
The good news is, an enlarged prostate is very treatable and I hope, for your comfort, the doc gets right on it. I had serious complications with my cancer treatments and now have a permanent catheter and collection bag so I know somewhat of the hell you are going through with the urination problems. Good night Mark. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Q: When do you say "enough" to skin cancer surgery?
My husband of 41 years, now 84, has had repeated surgeries to remove squamous cell cancers and has had several pre-cancer sites frozen. When his last surgery was due he didn't want to go.
Let me add here that he suffered a stroke more than 5 years ago and is stuck in a wheelchair. Since he can no longer speak very well, make calls or anything else other than feed himself and do some small chores, I make most of the major decisions regarding his health care. I do have his medical POA. I do talk to him about everything and I ask the doctors to address him so he can at least say yes or no about his care.
Additionally, he was treated for prostate cancer about 7 years ago, but his PSA is climbing again after we thought he was cured. So overall, I guess I want help deciding when "enough is enough".
He doesn't want to have more surgeries - they are painful, especially as the anesthetic wears off. Do I let HIM decide to stop treatment and probably have it metastasise elsewhere which would lead to other cancers and, of course, more suffering, harsh treatments and probably death.
I'm at my wit's end. I have a cat dying of cancer, but I can euthanize her when she is no longer comfortable. That's not a choice here. I love him very much and he is actually pretty active and very mentally alert, so it's not a question of "do I pull the plug on a dying man?"
Any input is welcome. Thanks in advance.
A: I've had cancer removed from my nose and back first freezing didn't work then surgery and plastic surgery, neither experience being very plesant. If your husband is alert let him decide, spend the rest of his life enduring medical procedures, or let him live out what's left with you.
Unfortunately it sounds like the cancer is already metasising through-out his body.
Q: Should I get a prostate biopsy?
I'm fifty years old. I started feeling pain in my groin and testicles two weeks ago and saw a urologist. A DRE was normal and my PSA was also normal (1.1). Urinalysis revealed no infections. By the time I saw the doctor, my pain symptoms had mostly subsided and he told me not to worry.
A few days later, my pain started again. For the past four days, I'm feeling aches at different times in my groin and upper thighs. I'm also feeling occasional pain in my penis and testicles. My urination frequency is slightly elevated.
The main reason I'm alarmed is because I've been feeling a lot of fatigue during the past month. My general practitioner diagnosed it as a probable sinus infection and prescribed two different antibiotcs, neither of which worked. I'm afraid my fatigue may be caused by possible prostate cancer, even though my tests were normal. I'm feeling a lot of stress. Is it advisable for me to ask my urologist to give me a prostate biopsy?
A: Pain of the penis, testicles, upper thigh and groin are not symptoms of prostate cancer. Symptoms are difficulty passing urine or emptying the bladder, dribbling after or before urinating, and a weak urinary flow. These are due to the enlarged prostate obstructing the urethra. See the urologist again about the possiblity of epididymitis, orchitis, testicular torsion, or testiclar hernia, all of which can cause the symptoms you describe, especially testicular hernia since you also have upper thigh pain - a frequent symptom for hernia.
Q: My Father's PSA recently dropped from 9500 to 96. Is this good news or bad news?
My 81 year old father has had prostate cancer for 25+ years. He had no symptoms until recently, other than an ever-rising PSA. He now has shadows on his x-rays, and it looks like mets have gone to the bone. Still little pain.
He had refused all treatment -- watchful waiting. But 1.5 years ago he did have a luprin shot, which reduced his PSA from 9000 to 300. It slowly return to 9000 over the following 6 months.
He recently started a new "natural" treatment, which he read had had great success with prostate cancer.
After about 45 days, he had another PSA, and it came back 95.3. He obviously suspected a lab calabration error. So he had another. 96.2 (same lab, but they had done all his earlier 300-9000 tests)
Since the medical profession doesn't really understand PSA, we're not sure if this is possible, or if it's good. For all anyone knows, PSA might actually fight/suppress the cancer. It might not be good to have it go down now!
Question: Is this possible, and good?
A: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/PSA
Q: My PSA is 2.0 do i need a biopsy test.? what are the danger of biopsy test.?
I am worried about prostate cancer and I dod not want to do a biopsy if it is not needed. my psa is 2.0 do i need further testing for prostate cancer.
A: First of all go see your doctor. But a PSA isn't high until it is above 4.0, but if last year your PSA was 0.3 and then this year your PSA is 2.0 that is a significant increase and may indicate further testing. There are 2 types of PSA test, total and free. Usually screening test are only total PSA in the blood and if the lvl is concerning they do a free level. Then they take the two results and get a ratio that tell them the percent chance that it could be prostate cancer. Usually a biopsy test isn't the first thing done, usually an ultrasound is. Also, PSA doesn't mean cancer it is just an indicator for inflammation, which could be caused by cancer. Doctors just use this lab to see if further testing may be needed and to try to catch it early. Hope this helps. Take care!
P.S. go talk to your doctor :)
Q: Playing the cancer card.?
My father had prostate cancer back in the mid 80's, he had surgery and was pronouced cancer free. He is a very hateful and verbally abusive person and whenever he abuses one of us and has to be accountable for it he will say he went to the doctor and his PSA numbers are up and the cancer is back. My mother is a co-dependant enabler and agrees with him. However in the 20 + years since he hasn't had any treatment or anything to prove that this is anything more than a form of manipulation. So, how should I handle this in the future, what should I say to him the next time I confront him on his actions and he says something like, "How can you do this to a dying man?"
A: I understand your dilemma here. The minute you call his bluff you may be dealing with the little boy that cried wolf, and feel just awful IF he needs to start treatment or becomes deathly ill.
I say bring up this topic with his doctor or at least the doctor's assistant. I am certain your father is not the only one that uses a previous ailment in such a manipulative manner. As well you do not want to let this sink in to his mind that he is sick and never getting better. Some times the mere thought can make us sick.
In short talk to his doctor's office. They may not be able to tell you anything personal, but may be able to better inform you about what steps you need to take. As well they may want to speak to him about how he views the information they give to him.
May you and yours be blessed while still on this bumpy path.