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Prostate cancer and the psa test

woodworm
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Hi everyone,

There have been several people on here recently who have or have relatives/friends with prostate cancer and where the psa levels have varied. I would like to mention some information that I think is not being passed on to men who are having a psa test.

It is recomended that men refrain from heavy excercise for at least 48 hours before the test. Likwise men should not have had sex for 48 hours before the test. I picked this up early when I was first diagnosed from the internet but at no stage was I told this by my doctor or nurse. Nor was it in any information I was given. I have spoken to a few men in our woodclub and they wernt aware of this. I dont know if this is general with most men but if it is, something needs to be done to make sure men are made aware of this. I suppose because it is an embarassing subject and the fact that prostate cancer mainly affects men over the age of 50, it is assumed that not many men would behaving excercise or sex, but I feel that is a wrong assumption to make.

I would welcome comments on this as I feel some thing needs to be done about this lack of information I look forward to reading any comments, Brian

  • Online

    Hello Brian,

    Thanks for bringing this up and I hope other men who have had a PSA test done will share their own experience with you.

    I had a look and our information page on screening for prostate cancer mentions precisely what you highlighted about avoiding exercise and sex 48 hours prior to the test.

    Best wishes,

    Lucie

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Hi Lucie,

    Yes, the cancer research information does mention this but It was never mentioned by the nures or doctors which Is why I felt I had to highlight this as I feel it could be giving missleading test results. Many thank for your reply and I hope you are keeping well.

    Best wishes and kind thoughts being sent your way, Brian

  • Offline

    Hi Brian,

    this is my first post.

    i have had prostate cancer and finished brachytherapy a month ago. the percentages are great for longevity, based on my numbers, but it should be pointed out, as far as I am concerned, that yearly psa testing should be done to every man out ther at 40 years old.

    most doctors ask for it in the blood test here in Canada or at least my GP does.. i am 73 and only 3 years ago did my psa start to go up at 15% rate. finally i went and had a biopsy, which showed 3+4 and 4+3 on the gleason score on 6 of the 12 samples withdrawn. the other 6 were zero cancer cells.

    At that time my psa was under 10,

    at 6 (3+3) they monitor and do nothing. this can last forever too.Only at 7 on the Gleason scale do they say to either have surgury or radiation treatment. . 

    now, my GP says he has men at 40 psa levels and no cancer and has men at 4 psa level with cancer, so how does one know?

    GET A BIOPSY !!!!

    guessing is for gypsies. men should look after themselves. if caught early and encapsuled as mine was (they say) chances are you will live to a ripe old age and die of something else.

    Peter

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