Newbie

[Guest guest]

dear tony,

i am a retired vet. diagnosed with 48ng psa level i have confused

like you but cicumustances gave me confidence to fight it.

i have undergone MIRT AND TOOK HORMONES ZOLADEX INJ. WITHIN 3 MONTHS

the psa became .5%. THEN ABOUT year every thing was below normal. so

dont worry we have to fight with cancer to live regards polepally

from india5mteCancerSupport , " sureshot8 "

wrote:

>

> I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I have. My PSA was

> around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50

yrs

> old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year

> time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My

> alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for

my

> free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.

>

> The information that I have received from this group without

posting a

> message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you

read on

> the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world

and I

> will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main

> issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.

>

> If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about

> your situation.

>

> Thanks

> Tony

>

[Guest guest]

Tony,

You have a good deal to learn, but I don’t

blame you for being nervous because there is so much misinformation about PSA. Believe

me when I say that a PSA of 3.60 ng/m, even if it is really 1.2 ng/ml higher

than last year is highly unlikely to be associated with an aggressive form of

PCa that will carry you off in days. I suggest that you read through the first

part of the YANA – You Are Not Alone Now

at http://www.yananow.net site page by page, but here are some snippets that,

hopefully, will calm you down somewhat.

Most

of the men who die from prostate cancer are aged over 70.

The

small number of men who die from prostate cancer at an age earlier than 70

have an aggressive form of the disease that is recognizable by a positive DRE

(Digital Rectal Examination) or a high Gleason Score

The

disease specific survival at 5 years for prostate cancer is estimated at

very close to 100% - in other words very few men die from the

disease within five years of being diagnosed. At 10 Years the survival

rate is about 95%. There are some dangerous forms of the disease, but most

are not deadly in the short term,

PSA

is NOT, NOT, NOT prostate cancer specific. Most of the men with elevated

PSA levels will not be diagnosed with prostate cancer because the reason

for the increase in PSA is more commonly an infection of bladder or

prostate, BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) – a non-cancerous

condition – a lab error or some reason not understood by

science

A

PSA level of 3.6 is not particularly high. I have seen reports of PSA

levels up to 12,000 (twelve thousand) and on the Yana

site there are several stories written by men with PSA numbers in the

hundred or the thousands. One of them was diagnosed in 1999 with a PSA of

over 3,000 (three thousand) ng/ml and he’s still going strong.

I

ran an experiment about six years ago when I had daily PSA tests to see

how much variance there might be. My PSA was then about 4.6. During one

six day period my PSA went up to 6.0 and then dropped back again –

see http://tinyurl.com/cxwj6 see if

you’re interested.

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical

qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since

then.

My sites are at www.yananow.net and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of

the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate

data "

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of sureshot8

Sent: Monday, 1 December 2008 3:42

PM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

Newbie

I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I

have. My PSA was

around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50 yrs

old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year

time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My

alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for my

free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.

The information that I have received from this group without posting a

message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you read on

the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world and I

will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main

issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.

If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about

your situation.

Thanks

Tony

[Guest guest]

Tony,

You have a good deal to learn, but I don’t

blame you for being nervous because there is so much misinformation about PSA. Believe

me when I say that a PSA of 3.60 ng/m, even if it is really 1.2 ng/ml higher

than last year is highly unlikely to be associated with an aggressive form of

PCa that will carry you off in days. I suggest that you read through the first

part of the YANA – You Are Not Alone Now

at http://www.yananow.net site page by page, but here are some snippets that,

hopefully, will calm you down somewhat.

Most

of the men who die from prostate cancer are aged over 70.

The

small number of men who die from prostate cancer at an age earlier than 70

have an aggressive form of the disease that is recognizable by a positive DRE

(Digital Rectal Examination) or a high Gleason Score

The

disease specific survival at 5 years for prostate cancer is estimated at

very close to 100% - in other words very few men die from the

disease within five years of being diagnosed. At 10 Years the survival

rate is about 95%. There are some dangerous forms of the disease, but most

are not deadly in the short term,

PSA

is NOT, NOT, NOT prostate cancer specific. Most of the men with elevated

PSA levels will not be diagnosed with prostate cancer because the reason

for the increase in PSA is more commonly an infection of bladder or

prostate, BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) – a non-cancerous

condition – a lab error or some reason not understood by

science

A

PSA level of 3.6 is not particularly high. I have seen reports of PSA

levels up to 12,000 (twelve thousand) and on the Yana

site there are several stories written by men with PSA numbers in the

hundred or the thousands. One of them was diagnosed in 1999 with a PSA of

over 3,000 (three thousand) ng/ml and he’s still going strong.

I

ran an experiment about six years ago when I had daily PSA tests to see

how much variance there might be. My PSA was then about 4.6. During one

six day period my PSA went up to 6.0 and then dropped back again –

see http://tinyurl.com/cxwj6 see if

you’re interested.

All the best

Terry Herbert

I have no medical

qualifications but I was diagnosed in ‘96: and have learned a bit since

then.

My sites are at www.yananow.net and www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

Dr

“Snuffy” Myers : " As a physician, I am painfully aware that most of

the decisions we make with regard to prostate cancer are made with inadequate

data "

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of sureshot8

Sent: Monday, 1 December 2008 3:42

PM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

Newbie

I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I

have. My PSA was

around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50 yrs

old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year

time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My

alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for my

free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.

The information that I have received from this group without posting a

message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you read on

the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world and I

will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main

issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.

If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about

your situation.

Thanks

Tony

[Guest guest]

Tony --

You may need another PSA test (or maybe more than one) to find your

" PSA doubling time " .

A PSA of 3.6 -- if it's stable -- isn't anything to worry about. It's

common for levels like that to be caused by BPH, which is _not_ cancer.

A PSA that is doubling every year (and is just going through 3.6 on

its way up) would be cause for concern.

If the " concern " is strong enough, you'll get a prostate biopsy. _If_

that finds cancer, you'll have a lot of reading to do, and some

difficult decisions to make. Until then, keep as cool as you can.

Before your next PSA test, _avoid_ sex, _avoid_ masturbation, _avoid_

bicycle and/or horseback riding. Those things (according to

reasonable anecdotal evidence) will raise your PSA test result.

A recent speaker I heard said that long-term studies of the

effectiveness of prostate cancer treatments were very tricky. Most

men who have prostate cancer, and have it treated, end up dying of

something else -- usually, heart disease.

After I was diagnosed a year ago, I decided that, of all the cancers I

might have gotten, prostate cancer was the least lethal. Don't let

anyone scare you, and be careful which websites you believe. The

leader of my local PCa support group was diagnosed 14 years ago, and

he's still kicking, and he's _not_ unusual. The 10-year " cure rate "

(a very tricky notion) for early-stage prostate cancer which is

_treated_ is somewhere around 80% - 90%. The 10-year survival rate is

higher than that.

If you want to learn what you _could_ be dealing with, there's a fine

book by Dr. Strum called 'Prostate Cancer: The Empowered

Patient's Guide " . The USTOO website has been useful for lots of

people. I'd hold off on that reading until you have biopsy results

that find cancerous cells.

Cohen

>

> _____

>

> From: ProstateCancerSupport

> [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of sureshot8

> Sent: Monday, 1 December 2008 3:42 PM

> To: ProstateCancerSupport

> Subject: Newbie

>

>

>

> I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I have. My PSA was

> around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50 yrs

> old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year

> time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My

> alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for my

> free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.

>

> The information that I have received from this group without posting a

> message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you read on

> the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world and I

> will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main

> issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.

>

> If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about

> your situation.

>

> Thanks

> Tony

>

[Guest guest]

Tony --

You may need another PSA test (or maybe more than one) to find your

" PSA doubling time " .

A PSA of 3.6 -- if it's stable -- isn't anything to worry about. It's

common for levels like that to be caused by BPH, which is _not_ cancer.

A PSA that is doubling every year (and is just going through 3.6 on

its way up) would be cause for concern.

If the " concern " is strong enough, you'll get a prostate biopsy. _If_

that finds cancer, you'll have a lot of reading to do, and some

difficult decisions to make. Until then, keep as cool as you can.

Before your next PSA test, _avoid_ sex, _avoid_ masturbation, _avoid_

bicycle and/or horseback riding. Those things (according to

reasonable anecdotal evidence) will raise your PSA test result.

A recent speaker I heard said that long-term studies of the

effectiveness of prostate cancer treatments were very tricky. Most

men who have prostate cancer, and have it treated, end up dying of

something else -- usually, heart disease.

After I was diagnosed a year ago, I decided that, of all the cancers I

might have gotten, prostate cancer was the least lethal. Don't let

anyone scare you, and be careful which websites you believe. The

leader of my local PCa support group was diagnosed 14 years ago, and

he's still kicking, and he's _not_ unusual. The 10-year " cure rate "

(a very tricky notion) for early-stage prostate cancer which is

_treated_ is somewhere around 80% - 90%. The 10-year survival rate is

higher than that.

If you want to learn what you _could_ be dealing with, there's a fine

book by Dr. Strum called 'Prostate Cancer: The Empowered

Patient's Guide " . The USTOO website has been useful for lots of

people. I'd hold off on that reading until you have biopsy results

that find cancerous cells.

Cohen

>

> _____

>

> From: ProstateCancerSupport

> [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of sureshot8

> Sent: Monday, 1 December 2008 3:42 PM

> To: ProstateCancerSupport

> Subject: Newbie

>

>

>

> I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I have. My PSA was

> around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50 yrs

> old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year

> time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My

> alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for my

> free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.

>

> The information that I have received from this group without posting a

> message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you read on

> the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world and I

> will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main

> issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.

>

> If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about

> your situation.

>

> Thanks

> Tony

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tony,

Are you sure you didn't do anything different before this test? My first test at age 46 showed a PSA of 7.8 but the Dr had failed to tell me that I shouldn't have sex for the previous 48hrs. I'd had sex both the night and the morning before the test. A re-test 1 month later (and after abstaining from sex for 3 days) came in as 4.2 - still high but not as worrying as the 7.8 Even a bike ride 24 hrs before the test can lead to an increase in PSA. The free PSA test could put your mind at rest as anything 25% or over indicates cancer unlikely. 3.6 is still below the generally accepted danger level of 4.0

Best of luck with the latest test.

Malaga, Spain

Re: Newbie

dear tony,i am a retired vet. diagnosed with 48ng psa level i have confused like you but cicumustances gave me confidence to fight it.i have undergone MIRT AND TOOK HORMONES ZOLADEX INJ. WITHIN 3 MONTHS the psa became .5%. THEN ABOUT year every thing was below normal. so dont worry we have to fight with cancer to live regards polepally from india5mteCancerSupport , "sureshot8" wrote:>> I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I have. My PSA was> around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50 yrs> old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year> time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My> alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for my> free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.> > The information that I have received from this group without posting a> message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you read on> the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world and I> will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main> issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.> > If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about> your situation.> > Thanks > Tony>

Internal Virus Database is out of date.Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 270.9.8/1801 - Release Date: 11/20/2008 9:11 AM

[Guest guest]

Hi Tony,

Are you sure you didn't do anything different before this test? My first test at age 46 showed a PSA of 7.8 but the Dr had failed to tell me that I shouldn't have sex for the previous 48hrs. I'd had sex both the night and the morning before the test. A re-test 1 month later (and after abstaining from sex for 3 days) came in as 4.2 - still high but not as worrying as the 7.8 Even a bike ride 24 hrs before the test can lead to an increase in PSA. The free PSA test could put your mind at rest as anything 25% or over indicates cancer unlikely. 3.6 is still below the generally accepted danger level of 4.0

Best of luck with the latest test.

Malaga, Spain

Re: Newbie

dear tony,i am a retired vet. diagnosed with 48ng psa level i have confused like you but cicumustances gave me confidence to fight it.i have undergone MIRT AND TOOK HORMONES ZOLADEX INJ. WITHIN 3 MONTHS the psa became .5%. THEN ABOUT year every thing was below normal. so dont worry we have to fight with cancer to live regards polepally from india5mteCancerSupport , "sureshot8" wrote:>> I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I have. My PSA was> around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50 yrs> old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year> time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My> alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for my> free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.> > The information that I have received from this group without posting a> message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you read on> the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world and I> will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main> issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.> > If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about> your situation.> > Thanks > Tony>

Internal Virus Database is out of date.Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 270.9.8/1801 - Release Date: 11/20/2008 9:11 AM

[Guest guest]

Tony,

I had a similar issue. The first thing you need to do is to

carefully study your PSA reports. Find out specifically what

immunoassay was used on the ones that indicated around 2.4 ... vs.

the first one that reported 3.6. Before you go any further, be

certain that the exact same immunoassay was used. There are known

differences between some of them. I found out that part of the my

change from 1.0 to 1.8 was explainable by the use of a different

immunoassay ... known to be 23% higher.

The next thing you should do is to seek out a 2nd (and maybe 3rd)

opinion. My first uro wanted to do an immediate biopsy without even

retesting my PSA. I went for two other opinions and they both

weren't concerned. They both retested me, and my PSA then indicated

1.6 for several months, and has just this past month shown 1.4.

I also had a new test done called the PCA3 test. Look into it. Not

sure if your insurance will cover it. But it's specific for Prostate

Cancer genes. Cutoff point for biopsy recommendation is 35. Mine was

4.5.

I'm pretty comfortable that I'm ok. PSA is a good test, but not

always reliable.

Larry

>

> I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I have. My PSA was

> around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50

yrs

> old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year

> time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My

> alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for

my

> free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.

>

> The information that I have received from this group without

posting a

> message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you

read on

> the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world

and I

> will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main

> issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.

>

> If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about

> your situation.

>

> Thanks

> Tony

>

[Guest guest]

Several have given you sound advice. My PSA was 1.3 in Feb 07. I had back surgery in Dec 07. In Feb 08 I started peeing blood. They did a PSA and it was 2.8. After 2 rounds of antibiotics, I was sent to a urologist who retested. It was 3.8 in May. Too much of a rise. They scoped my urinary tract and said there was evidence of scarring where the prostate was (DRE showed nothing) so a CT and biopsy were scheduled. CT showed a small mass. Biopsy showed 1 of 12 positive with over 20 percent on that sample. Gleason was 6 (3+3). I jumped through hoops because of my family history. Read every article I could find, got a second and third opinion, spoke with a medical and radiation oncologist. I questioned all 3 urologists and the oncologists thoroughly about ALL treatment plans.

Brachytherapy was ruled out, IGRT was how Dad was treated and they literally burned his bladder out so I was leary of that, talked about laproscopic and robotic, and proton beam. I would have gone with the proton if I could have, but my insurance company denied it twice. I could have waited but I am not a wait and see person, so I had the daVinci done. I had an issue because the cath bulb lost pressure and rubbed the urethra. Still suffer from incontinence and ED, but the problem is not as bad. I hate the smell of the urine and the doctor said that he will probably have to give me a round or 2 of antibiotics to alleviate an infection. The surgery was in August. I say to learn all you can from as many sources as you can and do NOT be in any hurry. Talk to as many people personally as you can (man-to-man or USTOO support group meetings are great for it). Do what you can!Steve S in ArkansasTo: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 10:42:26 PMSubject: Newbie

I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I have. My PSA was

around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50 yrs

old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year

time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My

alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for my

free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.

The information that I have received from this group without posting a

message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you read on

the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world and I

will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main

issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.

If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about

your situation.

Thanks

Tony

[Guest guest]

Several have given you sound advice. My PSA was 1.3 in Feb 07. I had back surgery in Dec 07. In Feb 08 I started peeing blood. They did a PSA and it was 2.8. After 2 rounds of antibiotics, I was sent to a urologist who retested. It was 3.8 in May. Too much of a rise. They scoped my urinary tract and said there was evidence of scarring where the prostate was (DRE showed nothing) so a CT and biopsy were scheduled. CT showed a small mass. Biopsy showed 1 of 12 positive with over 20 percent on that sample. Gleason was 6 (3+3). I jumped through hoops because of my family history. Read every article I could find, got a second and third opinion, spoke with a medical and radiation oncologist. I questioned all 3 urologists and the oncologists thoroughly about ALL treatment plans.

Brachytherapy was ruled out, IGRT was how Dad was treated and they literally burned his bladder out so I was leary of that, talked about laproscopic and robotic, and proton beam. I would have gone with the proton if I could have, but my insurance company denied it twice. I could have waited but I am not a wait and see person, so I had the daVinci done. I had an issue because the cath bulb lost pressure and rubbed the urethra. Still suffer from incontinence and ED, but the problem is not as bad. I hate the smell of the urine and the doctor said that he will probably have to give me a round or 2 of antibiotics to alleviate an infection. The surgery was in August. I say to learn all you can from as many sources as you can and do NOT be in any hurry. Talk to as many people personally as you can (man-to-man or USTOO support group meetings are great for it). Do what you can!Steve S in ArkansasTo: ProstateCancerSupport Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 10:42:26 PMSubject: Newbie

I'm looking to see if anyone has the same issue I have. My PSA was

around 2.4 for a few years, up and down by a 0.1 or so. I am 50 yrs

old. This last PSA went up from 2.4 to 3.6, a whole 1.2 in a year

time. I'm waiting for my latest PSA test taken this Friday. My

alcohol intake is up alittle from previous years. I'm waiting for my

free PSA test result so I am obviously somewhat nervous.

The information that I have received from this group without posting a

message and only joining sounds encouraging but everything you read on

the web sounds like I have the worst case of cancer in the world and I

will be dead in days. I guess the 1.2 raise is somewhat the main

issue. My doctor says a raise of 0.7 is when they start looking.

If anyone has a similar issue, I would be interested to hear about

your situation.

Thanks

Tony

[Guest guest]

Hi All

I am a 60 yr old guy from Canada.

I have been on and off various forms of A/D's since I was 20. Right now I have

been given Celexa(a little over two month in)I startd on 20 mg and after about 6

wks it was upped to 30. I have always had a sensative stomach and about a week

ago I start with diarrhea just wondering if this is a common side effect of

celexa and what I can do about it.

Also If I decide to stop taking this med. what kind of taper schedule should I

use