The issue of PSA level and age have been a factor for me for the last 3 months. July 31st of this year I visited my family physician due to a back injury. Due to the fact that I missed my routine check up two months before he explained that he wanted to take care of it that day. It was then that I learned of the ever famous PSA test. My doctor advocates all of his male patients have a PSA test completed upon turning 40, which I did earlier this year. I got a call the following week to come in for a visit and during my visit my doctor explained that I had a PSA level of 7.2. He informed me that this was entirely too high for a 40 year old man and gave me reasons as to why it could be elevated. I went on a round of cipro for about 5 weeks and then waited a few days before taking another PSA. This time the results came in the mail (3 days before I was to leave for my wedding and honeymoon) with a PSA of 4.7. My doctor referred me to my current urologist. I went ahead with the wedding plans and upon our return visited a urologist who shared the same opinion with my family doctor concerning my age vs the PSA level. Upon examination he determined there was nothing abnormal about the size of the prostate. I've exhibited no signs of BPH, frequent or painful urination etc. He recommended a biopsy for early detection and to clear my mind of any uncertainty. I had my biopsy last week and the verdict is still out as to whether if given the choice I would want a biopsy or have a tooth pulled. The recollections of a biopsy on this forum were varied but all very acurate.There were 18 core samples taken. My doctor is really down to earth and talks to my wife and I about everything. He is very straightforward and so far has made things a little more bearable. He and the nurses joked with me during the procedure and we both had a few laughs. My follow up appointment is this week and now all attention in our house has turned to that day and hour. I've read numerous articles from prostate cancer survivors who state they are older than me and thier PSA was lower than my own. I've also read of men in the latter 40 range and up who had near the same PSA or higher and tested negative. This just brings to light the whole uncertainty of the PSA test. My doctors have never swayed me yea or nea  as to whether or not they think I have prostate cancer they have only stated that my age and the level were a reason for caution.  

Welcome to the forum, Olee!  You've got a good doctor to begin testing at age 40. Many prostate cancer experts now recommend testing for all males to begin at age 40 to establish a baseline.

With 18-core biopsies they should be able to detect cancer if it's present (I hope it's not cancer).  If it's not cancer, you can continue regular PSA monitoring.  If it is, you have many treatment options available, including some of the new procedures.

Hope you'll stick around and let us know how things are going. 

Olee, I was 43 with a PSA of 5.7, 3 of 12 positive cores. Gleason 7 (I think???).
Good Luck with your test.
KW

Congrats on your wedding and our fingers are crossed for you!!! A "high" PSA is typically anything over a 4, however, I believe rises can occur with age. A friend, who is also an IM doctor told me that their group has a computerized system that plugs in age and PSA. For my father, who was 62 at the time of dx, his PSA shouldn't have been above 3.5. This is just an average for his age. I don't believe there is any standardization yet. A lot of doctors just watch for more of a jump in PSA. Good luck and keep us posted!

That is such a bummer, and I hurt for you. On the other hand, what a blessing that this was caught. If it were not for your very astute doctor you would have been down the PC road too far - it appears right now you have a very good prognosis for cure. Obviously, the good Lord is watching over you.

I know you are troubled of mind and the news is overwhelming, but like thousands of others you will get through this - some of it is mental. I think it is great you are hiking with the wife. When you get back do a lot of reading. Both relaxing as with the hike, and doing lots of reading on this site and other sites will bring you a lot of mental peace. Reading a lot about PC will give you a different form of peace - from knowing what others have said under similar experience and finding peace that you are making the right decisions. I really believe you will get through this just fine!

RB
Age 61 (now 62)
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA <.04
2nd Post PSA <.1 10/30/2008

Dear Olee:

Sorry to hear that you got the news that so many people on this forum have received.  Believe me, we understand your feelings.

It is terrible news but the silver lining is that it was caught early and that prognosis for a cure is excellent.

There are many options you should consider, as you will undoubtedly hear from others and read in other threads on this forum.  May I recommend an excellent book to start, "Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer".  There are plenty of others but this is a very good primer and place to start.

It is great that you are getting other opinions.  My recommendation is to look at ALL of the options so that you will have some peace of mind with your final decision.  It's confusing between open surgery, da vinci, external radiation, seeds, HIFU, etc. but knowing what is available is due diligence for all of us.  At the very least you should talk with an experienced (250+ procedures) da vinci surgeon and an experienced radiation oncologist to make sure you have explored the basic options.

Good luck and let us know how things progress.

Best of luck to you in what ever road you may Take I turned 42 this year and was told I prostate cancer , had the test done and the hole rt side was cancer and psa was off the scale , my doc told me the best way to treat it was the prostectomy , I had it done Nov 18