Author Topic: The PSA test. (Read 1220 times)

magooch · « **on:** October 10, 2011, 04:21:57 AM »

I know the PSA test has been disussed on this forum before, but the news media is taking another run at it. For those who may not know what the PSA test is all about, it is a routine test that can be an indicator of the presence of prostate cancer. Like many things in medical science, it is not an absolutely perfect test, but it is one of the best tools to indicate early detection.
From my own experience and an awful lot of other guys that I know, I'm grateful that I had a doctor that believed the test was a good thing to have annually from a relatively young age. In my case, I think I started having the test each year when I was about 45. The value of the test is that it establishes a baseline for you and then over the years if the value takes a significant turn over a short period, your doctor can recommend further testing. When I was 64 the doctor was alerted by the test and he arranged an appointment with a urologist. Further testing found prostate cancer in a very early stage. When prostate cancer is caught early enough, it can be operable. You also have to be in pretty good physical shape, or they won't operate. The bottom line is that I had my prostate removed and if I had to do it over, I wouldn't hesitate for a second.
I suspect that the latest effort at downplaying the value of PSA testing has more to do with cutting medical costs in general than it does with real concern for mens health. Get your annual PSA test and have a talk with your doctor about it. If your doctor buys into the idea that the test is not of any value, get a new doctor, or find a good urologist and get a second opinion.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2011, 04:44:04 AM »

very good advice, and your take on the media is right on.
obama care will kill a lot of us old-timers.

XD40SC · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2011, 05:24:59 AM »

Quote from: magooch on October 10, 2011, 04:21:57 AM

I know the PSA test has been disussed on this forum before, but the news media is taking another run at it. For those who may not know what the PSA test is all about, it is a routine test that can be an indicator of the presence of prostate cancer. Like many things in medical science, it is not an absolutely perfect test, but it is one of the best tools to indicate early detection.
From my own experience and an awful lot of other guys that I know, I'm grateful that I had a doctor that believed the test was a good thing to have annually from a relatively young age. In my case, I think I started having the test each year when I was about 45. The value of the test is that it establishes a baseline for you and then over the years if the value takes a significant turn over a short period, your doctor can recommend further testing. When I was 64 the doctor was alerted by the test and he arranged an appointment with a urologist. Further testing found prostate cancer in a very early stage. When prostate cancer is caught early enough, it can be operable. You also have to be in pretty good physical shape, or they won't operate. The bottom line is that I had my prostate removed and if I had to do it over, I wouldn't hesitate for a second.
I suspect that the latest effort at downplaying the value of PSA testing has more to do with cutting medical costs in general than it does with real concern for mens health. Get your annual PSA test and have a talk with your doctor about it. If your doctor buys into the idea that the test is not of any value, get a new doctor, or find a good urologist and get a second opinion.

I'm right there with you. Mine had been slowly rising. Got mine at an early stage also. I don't understand the heart attack reference. Can someone explain it. Can't see how having your prostate removed, increases the likelyhood of having a heart attack?

BUGEYE · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2011, 05:30:29 AM »

what am I missing ? I see no reference to a heart attack.

Old Syko · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2011, 05:57:16 AM »

Surgery June 11, 2007. Followup radiation January and February of 2008. Were it not for this simple test, I'd likely not be here today. I agree the idea is to reduce healthcare costs just as it is with the movement to disallow mamograms for the ladies. We can't allow this to happen for the sake of our kids and grandkids.

XD40SC · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2011, 06:42:25 AM »

Quote from: BUGEYE on October 10, 2011, 05:30:29 AM

what am I missing ? I see no reference to a heart attack.

Not posted here, there was reference to it in the report.

oldandslow · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2011, 07:18:31 AM »

I read the article in the local paper. What a load. I've had the test every year along with a physical exam for close to 25 years. I haven't had any problems thankfully but over the years have known several that have died from prostate cancer and some that are surviving but every case was discovered with a psa test. This year my doctor and I decided to dispense with the physical test because it is so unpleasant and the psa test is so reliable.

Anyone that believes this crap is stupid. There have been many studies on health issues over the years printed as the pure gospel truth. Many of them have been reversed now and the exact opposite is touted as good. When you consider that the news media depends on controversy to stay in business I tend to view anything like this as hot air.

I wonder just how many will die a very unpleasant death because of this. They will be very surprised when they find that they have cancer and it is going to kill them instead of letting them die naturally because the form they have is not slow growing.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2011, 07:19:26 AM »

I really wish more men would heed the posts here.
I take doxazosin to be able to tinkle and it scares the snot out of me.
I'm tested about every 6 months.

XD40SC · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2011, 11:55:18 AM »

Don't believe - if your psa is less than 4 you have no worries.

powderman · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:45:04 PM »

Never had the test. No money or insurance == no test. They say I can get med help at 65, only 15 more months. POWDERMAN.

Old Syko · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:08:28 PM »

Quote from: XD40SC on October 10, 2011, 11:55:18 AM

Don't believe - if your psa is less than 4 you have no worries.

Absolutely don't believe it! If your psa is anything but 0 you have something to be concerned with.

Quote from: powderman on October 10, 2011, 12:45:04 PM

Never had the test. No money or insurance == no test. They say I can get med help at 65, only 15 more months. POWDERMAN.

Charlie, it's your life. If you are willing to give it up for only a few dollars that is your decision. It's only a simple blood test until it becomes more. Then it can go from 0 to out of hand in a short period of time. Mine tripled in less than 3 months due to the type of cancer I had. My present psa after treatment is .01 and I still pay serious attention. This is one of those things where money means nothing. Cancer doesn't care if you have money or not.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:29:39 PM »

I've been getting an annual PSA blood test since I was 45 due to a family history of prostate cancer, my dad as well as dad's father and uncle all were diagnosed with it, my grandfather died at 69 as a result of the cancer and diabetic complications, dad had a radical prostatectomy about 1990 and survived cancer free until Altzheimers took him in 2008. My PSA levels were fine until August of 1997 when it jumped from 3.8 the previous year to 4.1, subsequently 5 out of 6 needle biopsies were positive, in Oct '97 I had a radical prostatectomy, I became the poster child of a prostate cancer survivor at age 50, the survival rate is very poor because at that age the cancer is so aggressive, most men learn about it too late to do anything about it. The path report came back after the surgery that all surgical margins were cancer free, but the entire prostate had pretty much been affected, it wouldn't have taken much more time for it to have been fatal and I wouldn't be here typing this 14yrs later. There were no palpable signs of the cancer when the rectal finger wave was done for either my dad or myself, the PSA test saved both out lives.

I just had my annual PSA blood test again, level is <0.05 ng/mL.

Tim

http://www.healthdiaries.com/famous-prostate.htm

oldandslow · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:33:59 PM »

Quote from: powderman on October 10, 2011, 12:45:04 PM

Never had the test. No money or insurance == no test. They say I can get med help at 65, only 15 more months. POWDERMAN.

Get the test some way. Please.

I'm trying to scare you but I had a very close friend that kept putting off the test just because he was too busy to go do it. He finally got the test and it was too late. The doctor gave him 5 years to live and was accurate. He lived five years to the day. Horrible way to die. It still chokes me up when something comes up to remind me and I think about watching him die.

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:57:16 PM »

The side effects of prostate surgery are so bad, I'd never bother with it. I'd as soon be dead.

bobg · « **Reply #14 on:** October 10, 2011, 02:11:00 PM »

I just had a PSA test. $101.40 for the blood test. That might be just a few dollars to some people but it isn't for me. powderman don't count on medicare helping out very much. By the time they deduct $116 a month from my social security and i have to pay a $167 deductable before medicare kicks in it isn't worth it to me.

Old Syko · « **Reply #15 on:** October 10, 2011, 02:11:53 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on October 10, 2011, 01:57:16 PM

The side effects of prostate surgery are so bad, I'd never bother with it. I'd as soon be dead.

I have no idea what "side effects" you're talking about and doubt you do either since you haven't been there and I have. 4 years after the surgery and I have no side effects whatsoever.

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2011, 02:43:47 PM »

Spoke to many who have had the surgery that said if they had it to do over they wouldn't. I don't plan on pissin' my pants and doing without the ladies for the rest of my days. If those aren't side effects then I guess it would be awesome. Many can't control their bowels either. Quite a few die from the surgey but almost none die from the cancer.

Old Syko · « **Reply #17 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:08:46 PM »

Swampman, many years ago what you say may have been true. The treatments used nowadays are so far beyond the times of which you speak it's as though they only existed in another world. PSA tests allowing for early detection and much more effective treatment have been at the forefront of this battle since they came to be.

Quote from: Swampman on October 10, 2011, 02:43:47 PM

Quite a few die from the surgey but almost none die from the cancer.

This statement is so far from the truth as to be laughable if it weren't for the fact that some poor schmuck might read it and think it the truth and die an early death because of it.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:12:29 PM »

I know a bunch of prostate cancer survivors, they're all glad they took the actions they did, some had surgery, some had radiation implants, and I knew several like Swampman that chose not to do anything that are no longer with the living to offer their opinion.

Life after loosing the prostate isn't that bad at all, first of all, loss of bladder control is easily dealt with using incontinence products, impotence can be dealth with using Viagra or Levitra or injections, although they weren't for me due the headaches they caused, so I went with a more modern alternative, an implant, the three part implant is almost as good as original equipment, maybe better because it works all the time for as much time as you want!

No excuse for ignorance in this day and age, be smart and make the right decision, your life literally depends on it.

Tim

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/PhysicalSideEffects/SexualSideEffectsinMen/SexualityfortheMan/sexuality-for-the-man-with-cancer-toc

http://www.urologicalcare.com/advanced-ed-treatments/types-penile-implants/

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:18:40 PM »

Quote from: Old Syko on October 10, 2011, 03:08:46 PM

That statement is so far from the truth as to be laughable if it weren't for the fact that some poor schmuck might read it and think it the truth and die an early death because of it.

If you live to be 100 it may become an issue.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:23:57 PM »

All the men I referred to are/were in their 50 and early 60s, not old men at all, if it's detected in the 70s, a man will likely die of something else, the older you are, the slower it seems to advance. My uncle has had it since he was in his 70s, he's 89 now.

Tim

powderman · « **Reply #21 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:37:14 PM »

Quote

This is one of those things where money means nothing. Cancer doesn't care if you have money or not.

OLD SYKO. True, but drs and hospitols do. A good friend went through the treatments a year ago he can now barely walk and is in constant pain from the shots. He's in therapy of some kind 2X a week. I was not aware it is just a blood test though. POWDERMAN.

Old Syko · « **Reply #22 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:50:27 PM »

There are many new and different treatments coming to the forefront of prostate cancer treatment that are much less invasive than the radical prostectomy I endured. IMRT and meds alone are being used in older guys with great success. Concentrated radiation nicknamed hotknife is proving to possibly become the treatment of the future. Friend of mine went out of the country to have this done just before it was approved for use in this country. Practically zero invasive yet with almost perfect results.

Fear of an imperfect outcome is a pitiful excuse when the only option is death after a short miserable life.

Swampman · « **Reply #23 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:52:56 PM »

A short miserable life is better than a long miserable life.

Old Syko · « **Reply #24 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:59:23 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on October 10, 2011, 03:52:56 PM

A short miserable life is better than a long miserable life.

That choice is yours to make if you ever need to. I've proven I made the right one for me.

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** October 10, 2011, 04:11:21 PM »

There's no way to know. Hopefully you did.

magooch · « **Reply #26 on:** October 10, 2011, 05:29:40 PM »

My urologist made me read the book on prostate cancer before he would allow me to make the decision. That book should be mandatory reading for all men. Personally, I feel privileged to have been eligible for the operation; as I said, not everyone is lucky enough to pass all the factors that are considered. My doctor said I was extremely lucky to have caught it very early and to be in otherwise excellent health.
For Swampman, I hope you somehow are blessed. I can only tell you that life was great before my operation and it is spectacular now. I can't imagine how it would wear on one to know that your doom was written and there's nothing much you can do about it but hope you die of something else.

XD40SC · « **Reply #27 on:** October 10, 2011, 05:49:52 PM »

swamp is predestined to have or not have any illness. Going to the doc would be a waste of his money.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #28 on:** October 11, 2011, 02:48:47 AM »

Quote from: XD40SC on October 10, 2011, 05:49:52 PM

swamp is predestined to have or not have any illness. Going to the doc would be a waste of his money.

that's what he thinks alright.

Old Fart · « **Reply #29 on:** October 11, 2011, 05:01:58 AM »

Let's not make this personal......