A high PSA indicates something isn’t quite right, and nothing more. It’s a screening test, not a diagnostic.
3 Likes
No test is 100% reliable. The PSA test is just an indicator and it’s better to be warned and be correct 50% of the time than be correct 0% of the time. I’m sure the test has saved many men’s lives.
1 Like
Exactly but as they don’t seem to know the why and the what, it’s time to move on. PSE is a far better test.
It’s as bad s a Cholesterol test, people with low LDL can still get atherosclerosis. It’s a floored system supported by the largest sale of medication.
I’m sure without any data we would all hope so. However there is now a far more reliable test the PSE and we should drop PSA like a hot potato and put the resources into PSE.
The thing with PSA is that it was a screening test when I did my degree in the 80s, and nothing has changed.
Introducing the EpiSwitch® prostate cancer detection test | Imperial College Healthcare Private Care https://share.google/rPmGCNvWCduwlR2jj
Appreciate that AM, but time moves on, so should science and to keep alive a test thats been surpassed to 94% accuracy without the biopsy has to save the doctors time and the health services money and the patient a lot of pain and discomfort.
Thank you people (for ‘PSA is an indicator and not a test’) I shall take note of that. My numbers are fine but the increased discussion around the subject of late has made me more conscious.
2 Likes
If it helps Marko, I for one am very happy.
I think you misunderstood me - it was not a diagnostic more than 40 years ago, and the test is still appropriate in the same context. There’s no reason it can’t be replaced by a better test.
1 Like
Sorry AM, I got your point but responded poorly.
1 Like
My PSA was always too high, then it started going up and down like a yo-yo. I had 3 biopsies, all negative, one of which gave me a sepsis. But my present urologist has a good feeling for it. He said not to worry, until the time when the general trend was upwards, which 18 months ago happened. He did a biopsy, found cancer, and operated successfully. Nothing more since then, fingers crossed. So in the hands of a good specialist who knew how to interpret it it worked for me.
2 Likes
My father died from prostate cancer about 36 years ago (at the same age I am now) , so I am constantly aware of it. My PSA has always read rock steady .62 to .71 now over 30 years. It may just be France, but so far none of my MTs have cared to shove a finger up there or do any more testing. Should I be unduly concerned (I’m 71) and insist on seeing a urologist? Opinions?
I am too young to give an opinion 
other 71+’s may think differently.
There are other types of cancer to be found in the abdominal cavity and there is a risk with some that they remain hidden until too late. My OH was extremely lucky. Three years ago (mid 70s) he mentioned in passing to MT that he had been losing weight. That led immediately to a complete abdominal and chest scan which showed he had a tumour on his kidney - stage 4. Fortunately it was external to his kidney and had not yet metastasised. It was removed. He did not need further treatment and he now just has annual checks. He was very fortunate because kidney cancer is often only detected too late.
Of course he was operated on by a urologist and he continues to be monitored (including prostate).
If you can, I would suggest asking for a general scan first, if possible, rather than focusing on one particular organ.
3 Likes
I can ask, but for someone who is totally asymptomatic of anything, I am guessing the answer will be no. I just had a blood test and nothing unusual showed up.
I would be happy to pay for one of these ,at French rates, of course, but I’m not sure that is possible here
French urologists these days seem to prefer top down ultrasound scans as the tool of preference. That way, they don’t have to stick anything up any one, plenty of opportunities elsewhere in their field for them to do that. I’ve noticed that the UK and Ireland still seem to adhere to the finger test, at least from what I’ve read, and from what my GP brother has indicated. Not sure why though, if non invasive gives a sufficiently good view.
As long as PSA is under 3 (yours is amazingly low!) they won’t do anything else.
Doctors have practice, “to keep their hand in” terrible pun but they have to practice.
1 Like
Well, if we’re going to having a p*ssing contest (sorry, couldn’t help myself) then my last one was 0.38
2 Likes
I think the fact that @Nunthewiser had a low level for 30 years would mean that’s his level. Sudden dropping may not be as good possibly