But if your PSA is rising on AS--rather than rush into a biopsy, you should have an MRI. MRI is good at finding the more dangerous larger lesions but lousy at finding the smaller ones that may never be a problem or for which you can your time and monitor.
Fewer than 50% of docs things that way, but I am assured that its the standard now.
There is a debate on when to escalte--should it be a PSa of 1, 1.5 or the traditional 4. PSAs are supposed to be great for more advanced cancers, but can be confusing since patients with very low or very high PSAs may hace cancer, That's Dr. Crawford pushes biomarker testing, which can be a beacon on whether to have a biopsy..
Yes, the communicatiopns are confusing for both prostate and breast cancers.
Thank God for The Active Surveillor, or is God disguised as the publisher? Like Speaker's Corner, Hyde Park, London, this forum with opportunity to immediately rebut is truly a blessing in today's heavily saturated media market. Raise the question all who join here, how often is a rising PSA for years no more than a result of inflammation, yes, cancer, but with radical drop no more a threat to metastasize, pontificated by The Active Surveillor, ANCAN and ASPI for years !?
May I ask what might seem to be a stupid question?
When people speak of following AS, exactly what kind of tests and procedures are they talking about? Not only what are the tests, but is there an order they follow? Does a blood draw come first? What is the 2nd step?,the 3rd and then the 4th? How much does a change in test result need to be taken into consideration?? I don't believe I have ever heard of the 'correct' order and sequence of tests spoken about. I know enough to understand a significant rise in PSA levels is a red flag on this racecourse.
Just a passing comment but it seems as if the medical communities has so successfully demonized cancer that the medical community needs to re-educate men and women about it.
Down the rabbit hole with Active Surveillance
Ken,
The guidelines don't necessarily say.
But if your PSA is rising on AS--rather than rush into a biopsy, you should have an MRI. MRI is good at finding the more dangerous larger lesions but lousy at finding the smaller ones that may never be a problem or for which you can your time and monitor.
Fewer than 50% of docs things that way, but I am assured that its the standard now.
There is a debate on when to escalte--should it be a PSa of 1, 1.5 or the traditional 4. PSAs are supposed to be great for more advanced cancers, but can be confusing since patients with very low or very high PSAs may hace cancer, That's Dr. Crawford pushes biomarker testing, which can be a beacon on whether to have a biopsy..
Yes, the communicatiopns are confusing for both prostate and breast cancers.
Thanks, Steve,
My goal here is for people to speak out and discuss amongst themnelves.
Like Hyde Park in London. No Gods. Just us Alices, confused and curious and finding our ways as strangers in a strange land.
Howard
Thank God for The Active Surveillor, or is God disguised as the publisher? Like Speaker's Corner, Hyde Park, London, this forum with opportunity to immediately rebut is truly a blessing in today's heavily saturated media market. Raise the question all who join here, how often is a rising PSA for years no more than a result of inflammation, yes, cancer, but with radical drop no more a threat to metastasize, pontificated by The Active Surveillor, ANCAN and ASPI for years !?
Dear Howard,
May I ask what might seem to be a stupid question?
When people speak of following AS, exactly what kind of tests and procedures are they talking about? Not only what are the tests, but is there an order they follow? Does a blood draw come first? What is the 2nd step?,the 3rd and then the 4th? How much does a change in test result need to be taken into consideration?? I don't believe I have ever heard of the 'correct' order and sequence of tests spoken about. I know enough to understand a significant rise in PSA levels is a red flag on this racecourse.
Just a passing comment but it seems as if the medical communities has so successfully demonized cancer that the medical community needs to re-educate men and women about it.
Hope this make some sense. mason
Thanks, Jeff.
I assume it is a gold watch encrusted with real diamonds?
Howard
"Do they keep staring at their pocket watches because they have to hurry to see their next patient?.....HILARIOUS!!!
I can tell you that is how I feel with my doctor. And damn, I'm helping to pay for that watch!!