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Testing PSA every six months?

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Posted 3/6/2017 11:18 AM (GMT -5)
After my last PSA check (which was good), I asked Dr Lam about changing the interval of my PSA tests. For the past year, I’d been getting tested every four months…he thought 4-6 months would be good going forward and that it was up to me what I chose.

As background, I had my brachy/IMRT in early 2012 and finished my HT in April 2014. Since then my PSA has stayed in a fairly narrow range of 0.13 to 0.20.

Other than being active here and spending some time with other PCa guys, I feel like I’ve “moved on from having cancer” so I like the idea of changing my PSA tests to six months. Anyone see a compelling reason for shorter PSA intervals if I’m comfortable with six months?
Posted 3/6/2017 11:25 AM (GMT -5)
no


Listen to Dr Lam...besides, changing from 3X/yr to 2X/yr is not much of a change.
Posted 3/6/2017 11:46 AM (GMT -5)
Michael_T,

Our PSAs are exactly the same, and we are both fortunate to have nadir PSAs that are prognostic for recurrence free survival. When it reaches a nadir that low, even if it goes up someday, it will not go up quickly. My schedule was every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for the next year, and then annually after that. What does Demanes suggest?
Posted 3/6/2017 7:09 PM (GMT -5)
Nice to share a two-decimal place PSA with you! I'd have to say I've pretty much ruled out PCa as the ultimate cause of my demise. Instead, it's all the other stuff that I need to worry about.

I haven't had any personal interaction with Demanes/Kamrava since ending HT, although Kamrava continues to be copied on each of my PSA results.
Posted 3/7/2017 8:20 AM (GMT -5)
I have the very same question. I'm two years post surgery with undetectable PSA and I think I can go to a biannual PSA test, going to see what my urologist thinks.
Posted 3/8/2017 9:46 AM (GMT -5)

Michael_T said...
After my last PSA check (which was good), I asked Dr Lam about changing the interval of my PSA tests. For the past year, I’d been getting tested every four months…he thought 4-6 months would be good going forward and that it was up to me what I chose.

As background, I had my brachy/IMRT in early 2012 and finished my HT in April 2014. Since then my PSA has stayed in a fairly narrow range of 0.13 to 0.20.

Other than being active here and spending some time with other PCa guys, I feel like I’ve “moved on from having cancer” so I like the idea of changing my PSA tests to six months. Anyone see a compelling reason for shorter PSA intervals if I’m comfortable with six months?

My 5 year stint(of every 6 months) was up during my last visit and I could have opted to go with yearly PSA testing but we decided to stay on the 6 month rotation.
Posted 3/8/2017 11:12 AM (GMT -5)
Hey Glenn! I'm not sure I'd be ready to move to annual testing either, but it was nice that your numbers were so good that you had the option!
Posted 3/8/2017 12:23 PM (GMT -5)
at three years I was testing every 6 months. after 4 years I went to a year. if you're comfortable with it what the hell. i'd do it.

ed
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