Posted on 10/07/2011 10:56:02 PM PDT by neverdem
The PSA test is not costly. It’s usually included in a yearly blood test by your physician with an annual check up. What is important is the annual test since the real issue isn’t so much the number but the “velocity” with which it is changing. There seems to be some question as to where one should have a biopsy (most say 4 is the cutoff). In my case the number went to 4.6 and I had a biopsy that was negative. Now two years later the number has retreated to around 3. Interestingly when the accompanying DRE is administered ( my former Dr. did it before the PSA test which can affect the PSA result negatively and probably caused the number to be high. Also there is the issue of abstaining from sexual activity before a PSA test because that can adversely affect the PSA number. At least, if we are going to have the test, doctors should do it in the proper manner. I would probably not have had an elevated PSA and had to go through the biopsy procedure if Dr. Moron had done it correctly.
Way to go Fred! The idea subscribed to here by a couple of posters is that “if we want this test we should pay for it ourselves!” Huh? I pay for a health insurance supplement to Medicare as well as Medicare itself ( it isn’t “free, it is taken out of your Social Security). They encourage me to have this test! As someone pointed out it’s not a bank breaker and it is a decent screening tool. I have a relative who is probably alive today thanks to the PSA test. When his PSA went to 50, it still took several biopsies to actually find the cancer, but it WAS there.
I see a lot of ignorance in this conversation. First there is the absolute value of the PSA; it could be less than 1.0 or 4.6. The rate of change and the percentage increase are important factors. Then there is the retest of the PSA making sure that the patient has not had sex recently or experienced a DRE to temporarily elevate the PSA.
Combine that with a DRE to determine whether or not to recommend a biopsy. Generally a PSA greater than 4.0 will get you a recommendation by your general practitioner to see a urologist.
The PSA saves many lives by early detection of prostate cancer, especially those that are not detectable by a digital rectal exam (DRE). Prostate cancer is a leading killer of men. The PSA is an important factor in early detection, and monitoring of prostate cancer after treatment.
great post - I think one of the problems that is not mentioned is that any guy with a “positive” PSA who does not get a major series of tests would then become a potential law suit for the MD...”why didn’t you treat my Dad, husband, or biggest benefactor.” Only malpractice reform will stop the aggresive actions of doctors to protect themselves.
I know its anecdotal but my friend had prostate cancer. He died of something else, sure. Its always kidney or heart or some other organ stressed by the cancer. Along the way incontinence and misery. This is a load of BS!
My primary care Dr. had already dropped routine PSA testing. He also says that DRE does not elevate PSA.; very confusing, because the last urologist I saw said it did. I really would like to see them drop the DRE also. I could do without that. And what about routine colonoscopies, which cost far more than prostate tests?
JEFFREY BROWN: Now, it's important to say that this panel -- these recommendations are for men who do not have any symptoms, correct? ROB STEIN: Right. And that is very important. This is for men who basically are healthy, there's no sign that they might have prostate cancer, there's no reason to think that they might have a tumor that nobody has picked up yet." Rob Stein's statements are so blatantly false. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. I was healthy and had absolutely no symptoms. There was no indication of anything when the DRE was done. My PSA was 8.2 so I had a biopsy. The pathology report came back with a Gleason 4+4=8. This is considered high risk. Again I had NO SYMPTOMS whatsoever. I had radiation teatments, both external beam and seed implants. My PSA reading has been on a steady downward march since treatments. If every so called healthy man waited until some symptoms showed up before getting tested we'd have a lot more deaths from prostate cancer. My advice - GO GET TESTED.
Good way to get rid of old white guys. Good central planning.
The veteran described in comment# 1 was black.
They are talking about a screening test. These patients don't have any complaints.
You treat the patient, not the number. I'd repeat the test before sending a guy to the urologist.
Prostate cancer screening: Should you get a PSA test? Mayo Clinic ataff
Rise in PSA protein 'not prostate cancer sign'
UK men can request PSA tests, although there is no screening programme.
These guys are not the Independent Physician Advisory Board, and they've been around for a while.
A patient could get a biopsy, be told the biopsy was positive for prostate cancer and that the plan was watchful waiting. My best friend had a negative biopsy. He still rants about the procedure. It was painful, and his prostate became infected.
Cosmic Speed-Up Nabs Nobel Prize
Young children show improved verbal IQ (music-based, cognitive training 'cartoons')
Raising 'good' cholesterol levels reduces heart attack and stroke risk in diabetes patients
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
What the stents really do is make it way more likely that You’ll have a stroke. They are collection points for plaque, and for bacterial inflammation.
You should be heavily on capsicum, and off of all polyunsaturated oils, and man made fats like margarine. Learn to like coconut oil; its the best route.
Stop worrying about the death panels, and learn how to take care of yourself.
http://www.doctoryourself.com/
http://thehealthadvantage.com/index.html
http://www.cancertutor.com/Hypertension/Hypertension.html
They are also less likely to get PSA tests. So I'll stick to my statement that they are targeting white men.
Knew a guy that was asymptomatic, no indication on digital, but who got an early diagnosis of an aggressive cancer from his PSA scores. These folks would prefer him dead. After all, early deaths are good for social security.
Ping
Mt Total CHL=<98 I'm trying
One - Disregard all advice from most all Doctors!
Two - Only get exams when symptoms require it.
Three - Doctors are mostly looking for revenue, that means that they will order tests that you not only NOT need but are not necessary.
Four - Read up on all things about your heath on the Internet.
Five - Ask about costs! Only you can prevent cost expansion because you failed to see if it was necessary.
Six - Never go to Hospitals unless it is absolutely necessary (life and death). Otherwise, you risk catching diseases worse that you went in for!
Seven - Never take an ambulance if you can avoid it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.