? help...psa is up from last yr

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We can do this

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2014

Posts : 192

Posted 3/11/2015 7:52 PM (GMT -5)

Stick with annual exams. If PSA ever goes over 2, get a biopsy, otherwise.....relax.

Tall Allen

Elite Member

Joined : Jul 2012

Posts : 10645

Posted 3/11/2015 8:49 PM (GMT -5)

Yes, they certainly are. But if you have an enlarged prostate - that's what they're for - you can bring it up to your urologist. Side effects may include sexual ones and hair re-growth.

Jane B.

Regular Member

Joined : Dec 2014

Posts : 62

Posted 3/11/2015 9:21 PM (GMT -5)

CVC, if you are truly freaked out about your PSA, ask your doctor for a 3T MRI. You may have to pay for it because insurance may not cover the costs, but if it eases your mind, why not?

Tall Allen

Elite Member

Joined : Jul 2012

Posts : 10645

Posted 3/11/2015 9:30 PM (GMT -5)

Jane,

The reasons why not are many:
• Especially if insurance does cover, unnecessary tests raise rates for all of us.
• Unnecessary tests increase anxiety rather than dispel it.
• 3T MRIs are not conclusive for anything, so an unnecessary test might be followed by yet another unnecessary biopsy.

There are very specific uses for such tests - when used at whim, they may be hazardous.

- Allen

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