My PSA is 4.68 should I investigate further?!


Question: Since the protein specific antigen is only slightly elevated relative to my age, I realize that a number of things could contribute to my elevation!! It appears that the next step is the dreaded DRE!! On the fence about proceeding with other test!!


Answers: Since the protein specific antigen is only slightly elevated relative to my age, I realize that a number of things could contribute to my elevation!! It appears that the next step is the dreaded DRE!! On the fence about proceeding with other test!!

Yes u should.... as you know the range is from 0 to 4 ng now even though u dont mention things like your age and the conditions under the test was done.... remember that a few things could affect the results... if u had a rectal exam prior to it, if u have an enlarged prostate due to your age, among others.... in any case is better to play it safe so i would recomend you to definetly look further... and if its everything ok u will feel definetly better!!!!
Good Luck
hope was helpulf.

Definitely you should get a DRE. While it is most likely not going to show any signs of cancer, if it does it will help you to make further decisions about investigations and treatments. In fact, most physicians would recommend getting a DRE with EVERY PSA blood test and consider the two to be a combined form of screening for prostate cancer.

You are right - 4.68 is a relatively low number, and it may or may not be elevated depending upon your age and the size of your prostate. Whether or not you investigate further (assuming the DRE is normal) will depend upon a number of different things. Next investigations - if you choose to receive it - would include a biopsy of the prostate. It would very reasonable to wait 6 months and repeat the PSA test and see if it is rising, and if so at what rate. This will not affect any possible treatment options available to you, and may allow you to avoid a biopsy or further testing.

It would also be very reasonable to obtain a biopsy immediately, to see if there is any cancer there.

The catch here is that we do not know your age, or other medical history. If you are 70 years or older, then your biopsy will almost certainly show some cancer as more than 50% of men will have a small amount of cancer in their prostate by age 70 (and 90% by age 90!). However, despite this, cancer found at this age are less likely to cause problems and that's where we get the line that men over 80 typically die with prostate cancer and not of prostate cancer. For men over 70 years with no cancer detectable on DRE and a low PSA (meaning less than 10 and certainly a level of 4.68) there is very little evidence that treatment will help to save lives. This may make it more reasonable to watch the PSA and use this to determine whether or not you want to further investigate.

If you are younger, then there is now some evidence that treating people less than 65 years of age will help to save lives, and I might lean towards getting a biopsy done immediately. However, since none of your treatment options will change as long as your PSA is <10, it would be very reasonable to follow the PSA and see what it does before getting further investigations.

It is important to note that prostate cancer - if you even have it at all - is a very slow growing cancer - and not something that you have to rush decisions about. Take your time and understand the risks and benefits of your decisions and make sure that you are comfortable with them.

Hope this is helpful. Let me know if this is unclear at all.

Actually...The DRE is very important. something you have to do. But there are seceral natural things to do too. check for things on line that lower the PSA

Why is a DRE so dreaded? They take about 15 seconds at most and are absolutely nothing compared to having a simple tooth filling done at the dentist.
Get the DRE and a prostate biopsy if necessary. Prostate cancer caught early and treated early is a very different disease that prostate cancer found too late to treat effectively. Just ask Dan Fogelberg.

Age, PSA History, and sexual intercourse all play into PSA levels. Do the DRE, it is important, and have a little fun. While the doctor is doing it, ask why you feel both hands on your shoulders!!!! But seriously, get the DRE and potentially a repeat PSA if this is a weird spike. Better safe than sorry.





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