Re: Rise in PSA

[Guest guest]

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07.

> Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in

> 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute

> it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I

> would like advice on how I should proceed investigating

> this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last

> PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a

> test that would identify what is going on in the rise?

> Thanks Doug

Doug,

Sorry to hear about the rise in PSA.

It is possible that it's inaccurate. Different labs may use

different technologies for PSA and come up with different

numbers. So the difference you're seeing could be an artifact.

But of course you have to consider the possibility that it's not.

As far as further testing is concerned, there are other tests for

PCa. I'm no expert on this but, as far as I know, none of the

other tests are as sensitive as PSA. In other words, PSA is

likely to pick up a recurrence of the cancer well before any

others will. As far as I know, your best way to determine

whether there is a recurrence is to get frequent PSA tests, and

see what the trend is.

If I were you I would definitely consult a specialist. Unless

your family doctor is an expert on prostate cancer, I would go

back to the urologist, or maybe find a radiation oncologist or

medical oncologist. Ask about getting frequent PSA tests. Ask

about what would cause them to believe there is a recurrence.

Ask what would cause them to recommend further treatment.

The most likely further treatment at this stage is " salvage "

radiation therapy (SRT). You don't want to do that unless you

need it, but if you do need it, you want to do it as soon as

possible. If I remember correctly, studies have shown success

with SRT if the PSA is below 1.0, but a higher rate of success if

it's below 0.4, and still higher at 0.2. But I'm certainly not

an expert. See a specialist and get a real expert opinion.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07.

> Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in

> 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute

> it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I

> would like advice on how I should proceed investigating

> this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last

> PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a

> test that would identify what is going on in the rise?

> Thanks Doug

Doug,

Sorry to hear about the rise in PSA.

It is possible that it's inaccurate. Different labs may use

different technologies for PSA and come up with different

numbers. So the difference you're seeing could be an artifact.

But of course you have to consider the possibility that it's not.

As far as further testing is concerned, there are other tests for

PCa. I'm no expert on this but, as far as I know, none of the

other tests are as sensitive as PSA. In other words, PSA is

likely to pick up a recurrence of the cancer well before any

others will. As far as I know, your best way to determine

whether there is a recurrence is to get frequent PSA tests, and

see what the trend is.

If I were you I would definitely consult a specialist. Unless

your family doctor is an expert on prostate cancer, I would go

back to the urologist, or maybe find a radiation oncologist or

medical oncologist. Ask about getting frequent PSA tests. Ask

about what would cause them to believe there is a recurrence.

Ask what would cause them to recommend further treatment.

The most likely further treatment at this stage is " salvage "

radiation therapy (SRT). You don't want to do that unless you

need it, but if you do need it, you want to do it as soon as

possible. If I remember correctly, studies have shown success

with SRT if the PSA is below 1.0, but a higher rate of success if

it's below 0.4, and still higher at 0.2. But I'm certainly not

an expert. See a specialist and get a real expert opinion.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan, thanks for the support and info. So maybe going back to my surgeon is not what I need to do. It sound as though going back to  the radiation onco. or  medical oncologist is what I need. That treatment regimen you suggested, is there some specific material you could steer me to describing pros and cons with that?  In addition ot the calcium I am taking some cytotoxic herbs for my babesia a co-infection with my lyme. Doug

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07.

> Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in

> 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute

> it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I

> would like advice on how I should proceed investigating

> this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last

> PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a

> test that would identify what is going on in the rise?

> Thanks Doug

Doug,

Sorry to hear about the rise in PSA.

It is possible that it's inaccurate. Different labs may use

different technologies for PSA and come up with different

numbers. So the difference you're seeing could be an artifact.

But of course you have to consider the possibility that it's not.

As far as further testing is concerned, there are other tests for

PCa. I'm no expert on this but, as far as I know, none of the

other tests are as sensitive as PSA. In other words, PSA is

likely to pick up a recurrence of the cancer well before any

others will. As far as I know, your best way to determine

whether there is a recurrence is to get frequent PSA tests, and

see what the trend is.

If I were you I would definitely consult a specialist. Unless

your family doctor is an expert on prostate cancer, I would go

back to the urologist, or maybe find a radiation oncologist or

medical oncologist. Ask about getting frequent PSA tests. Ask

about what would cause them to believe there is a recurrence.

Ask what would cause them to recommend further treatment.

The most likely further treatment at this stage is "salvage"

radiation therapy (SRT). You don't want to do that unless you

need it, but if you do need it, you want to do it as soon as

possible. If I remember correctly, studies have shown success

with SRT if the PSA is below 1.0, but a higher rate of success if

it's below 0.4, and still higher at 0.2. But I'm certainly not

an expert. See a specialist and get a real expert opinion.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Alan, thanks for the support and info. So maybe going back to my surgeon is not what I need to do. It sound as though going back to  the radiation onco. or  medical oncologist is what I need. That treatment regimen you suggested, is there some specific material you could steer me to describing pros and cons with that?  In addition ot the calcium I am taking some cytotoxic herbs for my babesia a co-infection with my lyme. Doug

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07.

> Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in

> 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute

> it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I

> would like advice on how I should proceed investigating

> this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last

> PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a

> test that would identify what is going on in the rise?

> Thanks Doug

Doug,

Sorry to hear about the rise in PSA.

It is possible that it's inaccurate. Different labs may use

different technologies for PSA and come up with different

numbers. So the difference you're seeing could be an artifact.

But of course you have to consider the possibility that it's not.

As far as further testing is concerned, there are other tests for

PCa. I'm no expert on this but, as far as I know, none of the

other tests are as sensitive as PSA. In other words, PSA is

likely to pick up a recurrence of the cancer well before any

others will. As far as I know, your best way to determine

whether there is a recurrence is to get frequent PSA tests, and

see what the trend is.

If I were you I would definitely consult a specialist. Unless

your family doctor is an expert on prostate cancer, I would go

back to the urologist, or maybe find a radiation oncologist or

medical oncologist. Ask about getting frequent PSA tests. Ask

about what would cause them to believe there is a recurrence.

Ask what would cause them to recommend further treatment.

The most likely further treatment at this stage is "salvage"

radiation therapy (SRT). You don't want to do that unless you

need it, but if you do need it, you want to do it as soon as

possible. If I remember correctly, studies have shown success

with SRT if the PSA is below 1.0, but a higher rate of success if

it's below 0.4, and still higher at 0.2. But I'm certainly not

an expert. See a specialist and get a real expert opinion.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> Alan, thanks for the support and info. So maybe going back to

> my surgeon is not what I need to do. It sound as though going

> back to the radiation onco. or medical oncologist is what I

> need. That treatment regimen you suggested, is there some

> specific material you could steer me to describing pros and

> cons with that? In addition ot the calcium I am taking some

> cytotoxic herbs for my babesia a co-infection with my lyme.

> Doug

If you like and trust your urologist, you might want to go back

to see him to get his opinion, to have him do follow up PSA

tests, and to get his recommendation for a radiation oncologist

if it looks like you do have a recurrence.

At this point, I think the first thing to figure out is whether

or not you've got a recurrence. There are men who have a tiny

rise in PSA after surgery, as you have, but then the PSA subsides

back down again. It would be a mistake to go through radiation

in such a case.

If it were me, I think I'd want a PSA test every month for a a

few months until I could see where it was trending. The

urologist could do that or your family doctor could do it. If it

was trending upwards, then I'd want to see a radiation

oncologist. Ideally, I'd want to find the best rad onc I could

find, one who treats a fair amount of prostate cancer (rad oncs

can treat all kinds of cancer.)

Incidentally, the use of calcium is controversial in prostate

cancer patients. There is some evidence that it increases risk.

See for example:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_High_Calcium_Intake_Linked_to\

_Prostate_Cancer.asp

Good luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> Alan, thanks for the support and info. So maybe going back to

> my surgeon is not what I need to do. It sound as though going

> back to the radiation onco. or medical oncologist is what I

> need. That treatment regimen you suggested, is there some

> specific material you could steer me to describing pros and

> cons with that? In addition ot the calcium I am taking some

> cytotoxic herbs for my babesia a co-infection with my lyme.

> Doug

If you like and trust your urologist, you might want to go back

to see him to get his opinion, to have him do follow up PSA

tests, and to get his recommendation for a radiation oncologist

if it looks like you do have a recurrence.

At this point, I think the first thing to figure out is whether

or not you've got a recurrence. There are men who have a tiny

rise in PSA after surgery, as you have, but then the PSA subsides

back down again. It would be a mistake to go through radiation

in such a case.

If it were me, I think I'd want a PSA test every month for a a

few months until I could see where it was trending. The

urologist could do that or your family doctor could do it. If it

was trending upwards, then I'd want to see a radiation

oncologist. Ideally, I'd want to find the best rad onc I could

find, one who treats a fair amount of prostate cancer (rad oncs

can treat all kinds of cancer.)

Incidentally, the use of calcium is controversial in prostate

cancer patients. There is some evidence that it increases risk.

See for example:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_High_Calcium_Intake_Linked_to\

_Prostate_Cancer.asp

Good luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery

successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it

to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I

should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do

this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that

would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Have you ever been on hormone therapy before? What was your Gleason in the

begining? I would talk with a doctor about the rise. A friend of ours had

surgery and some cancer cells escaped. He had to have six weeks of radiation and

he is doing fine now with PSA of 0.00. I wish you luck, but I really think you

should talk a doctor if you don't want to talk to yours. I'll keep you in my

thoughts and prayers.

Best Wishes,

Sheila

[Guest guest]

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery

successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it

to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I

should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do

this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that

would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Have you ever been on hormone therapy before? What was your Gleason in the

begining? I would talk with a doctor about the rise. A friend of ours had

surgery and some cancer cells escaped. He had to have six weeks of radiation and

he is doing fine now with PSA of 0.00. I wish you luck, but I really think you

should talk a doctor if you don't want to talk to yours. I'll keep you in my

thoughts and prayers.

Best Wishes,

Sheila

[Guest guest]

Sheila, thanks for your thoughts and advice. It has been 5 and 1/2 years of .01 readings until now with this first rise in the PSA. No I have never had anything but the initial surgery. I am not in good health with my chronic lyme and babesia. I am taking about every supplement in the book so I would think that would help me. I will do as Alan said and return to the univ. hosp. and my urologist and get my PSA checked again there first. DougSubject: Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009, 11:40 AM

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Have you ever been on hormone therapy before? What was your Gleason in the begining? I would talk with a doctor about the rise. A friend of ours had surgery and some cancer cells escaped. He had to have six weeks of radiation and he is doing fine now with PSA of 0.00. I wish you luck, but I really think you should talk a doctor if you don't want to talk to yours. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Best Wishes,

Sheila

[Guest guest]

Sheila, thanks for your thoughts and advice. It has been 5 and 1/2 years of .01 readings until now with this first rise in the PSA. No I have never had anything but the initial surgery. I am not in good health with my chronic lyme and babesia. I am taking about every supplement in the book so I would think that would help me. I will do as Alan said and return to the univ. hosp. and my urologist and get my PSA checked again there first. DougSubject: Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009, 11:40 AM

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Have you ever been on hormone therapy before? What was your Gleason in the begining? I would talk with a doctor about the rise. A friend of ours had surgery and some cancer cells escaped. He had to have six weeks of radiation and he is doing fine now with PSA of 0.00. I wish you luck, but I really think you should talk a doctor if you don't want to talk to yours. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Best Wishes,

Sheila

[Guest guest]

A friend of mine had a similar recurrence, his was after about 7 years though.

According to what his Dr. told him, after an extended period chances are good

that the cancer is in the original prostate area. Had it been growing in a

remote spot it would have shown up much sooner since it was already established.

In his case they went with radiation in the local area an all is good now after

two years or so. Only other thing I'd say is to get it treated sooner, not wait.

When you've established that there is a tumor and not just a random bump

(hopeuflly) in the PSA, get treatment.

[Guest guest]

A friend of mine had a similar recurrence, his was after about 7 years though.

According to what his Dr. told him, after an extended period chances are good

that the cancer is in the original prostate area. Had it been growing in a

remote spot it would have shown up much sooner since it was already established.

In his case they went with radiation in the local area an all is good now after

two years or so. Only other thing I'd say is to get it treated sooner, not wait.

When you've established that there is a tumor and not just a random bump

(hopeuflly) in the PSA, get treatment.

[Guest guest]

Hopefully, mine is in the prostate area. I have been so oblivious to this cancer since it has been so long that I have not being keeping up with any studies. I have noticed that certain supplements help like Broccli sprouts . I need to take definite steps as you and others are suggesting. Would I then need the biopsys of my prostate again? DougSubject: Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009, 1:06 PM

A friend of mine had a similar recurrence, his was after about 7 years though. According to what his Dr. told him, after an extended period chances are good that the cancer is in the original prostate area. Had it been growing in a remote spot it would have shown up much sooner since it was already established. In his case they went with radiation in the local area an all is good now after two years or so. Only other thing I'd say is to get it treated sooner, not wait. When you've established that there is a tumor and not just a random bump (hopeuflly) in the PSA, get treatment.

[Guest guest]

Hopefully, mine is in the prostate area. I have been so oblivious to this cancer since it has been so long that I have not being keeping up with any studies. I have noticed that certain supplements help like Broccli sprouts . I need to take definite steps as you and others are suggesting. Would I then need the biopsys of my prostate again? DougSubject: Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Saturday, August 15, 2009, 1:06 PM

A friend of mine had a similar recurrence, his was after about 7 years though. According to what his Dr. told him, after an extended period chances are good that the cancer is in the original prostate area. Had it been growing in a remote spot it would have shown up much sooner since it was already established. In his case they went with radiation in the local area an all is good now after two years or so. Only other thing I'd say is to get it treated sooner, not wait. When you've established that there is a tumor and not just a random bump (hopeuflly) in the PSA, get treatment.

[Guest guest]

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery

successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it

to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I

should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do

this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that

would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA

result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the

0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very

small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I

ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the

other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you

use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result).

In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01

would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery

successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it

to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I

should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do

this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that

would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA

result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the

0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very

small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I

ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the

other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you

use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result).

In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01

would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

unfortunately my last reading at family doctor was also .01. In other words although most PSA's were done at the hospital urologist, the previous one and another one about a year ago at the family doctor were the same as the hospital reading of .01. Thnaks for the support. I have an appointment on the 15 of Sept. with hosp. urologist and will get their PSA again. DougSubject: Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:04 AM

 

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the 0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result). In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01 would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

unfortunately my last reading at family doctor was also .01. In other words although most PSA's were done at the hospital urologist, the previous one and another one about a year ago at the family doctor were the same as the hospital reading of .01. Thnaks for the support. I have an appointment on the 15 of Sept. with hosp. urologist and will get their PSA again. DougSubject: Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:04 AM

 

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the 0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result). In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01 would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

Hi Guys,After surgery 19 months ago my PSA was .05, the next .07, .09 and the latest in June this year .14.  It has risen very slowly since surgery.  I also was worried about the increase.  My urologists comments are that is very low and not to worry about it.  I believe we can make ourselves sick worrying about things.  

Doug, Canada 

 

unfortunately my last reading at family doctor was also .01. In other words although most PSA's were done at the hospital urologist, the previous one and another one about a year ago at the family doctor were the same as the hospital reading of .01. Thnaks for the support. I have an appointment on the 15 of Sept. with hosp. urologist and will get their PSA again. Doug

Subject: Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:04 AM

 

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the 0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result). In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01 would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

Hi Guys,After surgery 19 months ago my PSA was .05, the next .07, .09 and the latest in June this year .14.  It has risen very slowly since surgery.  I also was worried about the increase.  My urologists comments are that is very low and not to worry about it.  I believe we can make ourselves sick worrying about things.  

Doug, Canada 

 

unfortunately my last reading at family doctor was also .01. In other words although most PSA's were done at the hospital urologist, the previous one and another one about a year ago at the family doctor were the same as the hospital reading of .01. Thnaks for the support. I have an appointment on the 15 of Sept. with hosp. urologist and will get their PSA again. Doug

Subject: Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:04 AM

 

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the 0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result). In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01 would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

Good Morning to all,

I had IMRT in 2002, followed by Zolodex and Casodex for two years. In the last year and a half, my PSA has risen from zero to 0.03, 0.08, 0.13, 0.17.

My urologist in Roanoke, VA assures me all is well at this point.

Best Wishes,

-- Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:04 AM

>> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug>Hi Doug,Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the 0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result). In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01 would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

Good Morning to all,

I had IMRT in 2002, followed by Zolodex and Casodex for two years. In the last year and a half, my PSA has risen from zero to 0.03, 0.08, 0.13, 0.17.

My urologist in Roanoke, VA assures me all is well at this point.

Best Wishes,

-- Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:04 AM

>> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug>Hi Doug,Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the 0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result). In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01 would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

To both and Andy, your urologists may be right and perhpas not so. I would aggressively be in charge of my own situation. As I said you both may be in fine condition with good guidance. My urologist was ranked #6 in the nation at the time of my discovery of prostate cancer. When my PSA began rising from 4 to 10 as we began setting up the biopsies he told me he did not think I had cancer. I felt otherwise and the biopsy proved me right. I remember talking with my radiation oncologist some time after the surgery when I sought further info on possible futures. He told me to be very vigilant on rises in PSA. The other thing is I feel that main stream medical practitioners are slaves to mainstream thought and have poor knowledge of latest research. When I told my urologist around the time of surgery of the Harvard study linking calcium intake with p. cancer,

he did not know anything about it. Recalling, when I dropped my milk and calcium intake my PSA went from 10 back to 4, even though the cancer was already there. DougFrom: quickfox111 <quickfox111@ yahoo.com. au>

Subject: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:04 AM

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the 0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result). In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01 would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

To both and Andy, your urologists may be right and perhpas not so. I would aggressively be in charge of my own situation. As I said you both may be in fine condition with good guidance. My urologist was ranked #6 in the nation at the time of my discovery of prostate cancer. When my PSA began rising from 4 to 10 as we began setting up the biopsies he told me he did not think I had cancer. I felt otherwise and the biopsy proved me right. I remember talking with my radiation oncologist some time after the surgery when I sought further info on possible futures. He told me to be very vigilant on rises in PSA. The other thing is I feel that main stream medical practitioners are slaves to mainstream thought and have poor knowledge of latest research. When I told my urologist around the time of surgery of the Harvard study linking calcium intake with p. cancer,

he did not know anything about it. Recalling, when I dropped my milk and calcium intake my PSA went from 10 back to 4, even though the cancer was already there. DougFrom: quickfox111 <quickfox111@ yahoo.com. au>

Subject: [ProstateCancerSupp ort] Re: Rise in PSATo: ProstateCancerSuppo rtyahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Sunday, August 16, 2009, 3:04 AM

>

> On my recent PSA the reading is .07. Normally it has been .01. I had surgery successfully in 12/03. I am concerned about this and probably can attribute it to my decision to go back on calcium. Nevertheless I would like advice on how I should proceed investigating this. I chose to have my family doctor's office do this last PSA so my urologist does not even know about it. Is there a test that would identify what is going on in the rise? Thanks Doug

>

Hi Doug,

Just one point at this stage. Since you have had the most recent PSA result done through your local doctor, I am wondering whether the 0.01 and the 0.07 results weere conducted through the same laboratory. These results are very small and there can actually be a variation between labs on the same sample...I ask this because you state that one result was through your urologist and the other through your local doctor. If perfomed at different labs, I suggest you use the same lab as the earlier 0.01 result (since this was the earlier result). In Australia, results < 0.05 are simply stated as such and a result of 0.01 would not be recorded as such but would be reported as <0.05 Cheers, Chris

[Guest guest]

The questions that should be asked of the urologist or radio-oncologist is if any additional primary treatment can be offered at that point.

A move to hormone manipulation may not be the patient's immediate choice at that PSA level. I waited 4 years before I started, to minimise side effects.

Best wishes

RR Prostatectomy in 1996

- Rise in PSA

I would like to withdraw some of my rebuttal on and 's post by saying, simply that much rise in PSA that they had would worry me, but I have no scientific knowledge to base my concern on and I tend to be anxious and a worrier as well as somewhat argumentative too. Thanks for the support. Doug

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