New to the Forum and looking for expertise

It sounds to me as if you're getting good advice.  See what the next test indicates.  Remember, PSA numbers don't necessarily indicate cancer, though they can be a warning signal.  Only a biopsy can confirm cancer, and you don't seem to be a candidate for a biopsy at this point.  Good luck.

Welcome to HW. Lots of good info and experience here.

But, I see your PSA is just barely above where it was 2 years ago. Did the dr have anything to say when it went down last year. Offer up any explanations?

Really good to see someone who knows the value of establishing a baseline and keeping up to date on it.

Nice job,

Sonny

I would do another psa soon, without any ejaculatio* for 48 hours before the test, and no DRE before the test. See where it comes out. Have them do free psa too. Then you will be in a better position to evaluate whether to do a biopsy (or something else, such as a PCA-3 test). Good luck.

Doctors should know better not to do a DRE BEFORE taking the blood draw for the PSA test....That can cause a PSA spike in just a few minutes..

In any case, the next step would be a run of antibiotics, not a biopsy...

HI Guys,

Just a quick update, I just had my PSA taken again this past Friday and received a call from my doctor today saying that it dropped back to 2.3. It is where it was two years ago but I will continue to monitor. I wanted to thank everyone for their knowledge and expertise and most of all I wanted to wish all of you the best.

Thanks again

Thanks for the input Tim, I really appreciate it. Whent the test came back the first time they did a Free PSA that came back at 49%, from everything I have read and from what my doctor said that was a good thing. I will however continue to closely monitor, mainly because of the information I have received from you guys.

Hi Phillyman, - I want to clarify the question of a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) being done before the drawing of blood for the PSA test. It would appear from comments here, that this factor is much more important in the minds of some of the Posters here, than it is in the professional opinions of the experts.

The AUA (American Urological Assaociation) updated their "Best Practice" Statement concerning the use of PSA in 2009. It states:

"Ejaculation and DRE have been reported to increase PSA levels but studies have shown the effects to be variable or insignificant.85, 86 For this reason, PSA testing can be performed with reasonable accuracy after rectal examination."

Prostate-Specific Antigen Best Practice Statement Update Panel Members:

Peter Carroll, MD, Chair
Vice Chair Kirsten Greene, MD,
Facilitator Richard J. Babaian, MD
Peter C. Albertsen, MD,
H. Ballentine Carter, MD
Peter H. Gann, MD, ScD
Misop Han, MD
Deborah Ann Kuban, MD
A. Oliver Sartor, MD
Janet L. Stanford, MPH, PhD
Anthony Zietman, MD
Copyright © 2009 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.®

Although it is still preferable, in my layman's opinion, to draw the PSA blood sample before the DRE (to remove all doubt), it appears that the EXPERTS (look at the names) do not feel it is of sufficient importance to significantly affect the validity of a post-DRE PSA result. - John@newPCa.org (aka) az4peaks