Prostate Cancer Screening - (PSA) Testing (1 Viewer)

[Hettie's Crew]

A GP will assess you in the round and recommend the best course of action.

What do you mean by that?
Just what will the GP “assess”?

 

[seasideBill]

What do you mean by that?
Just what will the GP “assess”?

I mean the wide range and severity of symptoms that might suggest prostate cancer as opposed to very common benign enlargement or other natural changes linked to ageing.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

The range and severity of symptoms that might suggest prostate cancer as opposed to very common benign enlargement or other natural causes linked to ageing.

By the time anyone gets to a ‘range and severity of symptoms’ any cancer of the Prostate will have progressed far further than it ever needed to. I had and still have no symptoms whatsoever.
It astounds me sometimes the faith some people have in their GP, they are the ‘Jack of all trades’ in the medical world and unfortunately their practice is tied too closely to their business.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

The range and severity of symptoms that might suggest prostate cancer as opposed to very common benign enlargement or other natural causes linked to ageing.

By the time anyone gets to a ‘range and severity of symptoms’ any cancer of the Prostate will have progressed far further than it ever needed to. I had and still have no symptoms whatsoever.
It astounds me sometimes the faith some people have their GP, they are the ‘Jack of all trades’ in the medical world and unfortunately

Edit
Don’t know how this got repeated

 

[seasideBill]

It astounds me sometimes the faith some people have in their GP, they are the ‘Jack of all trades’ in the medical world and unfortunately their practice is tied too closely to their business.

I don’t share your cynicism or astoundment. I think they play a critical role whether a test is involved or not.

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[Hettie's Crew]

I don’t share your cynicism or astoundment. I think they play a critical role whether a test is involved or not.

Good luck, my 36 year career in the NHS tells me different.

 

[The general]

It astounds me sometimes the faith some people have in their GP, they are the ‘Jack of all trades’ in the medical world and unfortunately their practice is tied too closely to their business.

Fair comment .

 

[The general]

I don’t share your cynicism or astoundment. I think they play a critical role whether a test is involved or not.

I think its pot luck if you have a commited GP. or not ? I am very very lucky to have a good GP who i cannot fault but i have heard horror stories with other GP

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Any half decent GP should be on top of any issues

Any half decent GP should be referring to the specialist services straight after the raised PSA.
I’ve said this in other posts, my cancer did not show up on the MRI scan and was not felt on DRE (Digital Rectal Examination)
It only became apparent through having 14 biopsies taken through the specialist services.
My GP’s role in all this was to agree to do a PSA blood test at my request, which was only 4, then immediately referred me to the specialist.
I now have 12 week PSA blood tests through my GP and will be having a second biopsy procedure in August.
I’ve never actually seen my GP at all in all this and there has been no need to. HCA’s did the blood tests and everything else from the practice has been texts and NHS app messages.

 

[PaulC70]

Good luck, my 36 year career in the NHS tells me different.

Ditto! although 30 years

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[Ditcha]

Thanks for the push funsters to book a appointment with the docs for a PSA blood test. I had to persuade the Dr to give me one even though I have no symptoms but wanted to put a stick in the sand re levels came back today with a level of 1.08

 

[sedge]

Thanks for the push funsters to book a appointment with the docs for a PSA blood test. I had to persuade the Dr to give me one even though I have no symptoms but wanted to put a stick in the sand re levels came back today with a level of 1.08

Exactly - get your score on the door - then have it done again 'later' so you can keep your eye on whether it's increasing quickly, slowly or not changing at all - and be ready to take whatever further action is appropriate.

 

[PP Bear]

Had the blood taken, result's through today, green and recommended to book again in May 2027.

Very happy Bear

What an excellent service it was

PSA Testing Events

www.mypsatests.org.uk

 

[The general]

Had the blood taken, result's through today, green and recommended to book again in May 2027.

Very happy Bear

What an excellent service it was

PSA Testing Events

www.mypsatests.org.uk

I like to know numbers and keep records of the readings , mine every 6 months

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Had the blood taken, result's through today, green and recommended to book again in May 2027.

Very happy Bear

What an excellent service it was

PSA Testing Events

www.mypsatests.org.uk

Definitely need to know the figure, should be on your NHS app, green could mean anything under 4 and three years is a long time.
Good news though

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[The general]

Before i had the app i would call up the surgery for resultd all they would say is satisfactory , i said i need to know the number . Here they are upto date

 

[The general]

I was told by oncologist your psa will rise because you still got a prostrate even thou its been mashed by RT , what we do not want is a sudden spike on numbers and a gradual reading to 2.0 the only treatment if it arises is HT injections for life .unfortunately s friend of mine as had a spike in reading 10 its 12yrs after treatment. He starts. Injections this week every 3months

 

[DT]

Start your PSA test as soon as you can and repeat every year, pick a memorable date. I started at 50 years of age, levels normal until I was 65 and a spike, cancer detected, surgery to remove my prostate and six years later all clear but still look for my annual test and the ultra low reading of the top of my head .003.

 

[DT]

Before i had the app i would call up the surgery for resultd all they would say is satisfactory , i said i need to know the number . Here they are upto date View attachment 900613

The surgery should graph all your readings and you should see them online.

 

[The general]

Undetectable , didnt realise they can measure that low

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[The general]

The surgery should graph all your readings and you should see them online.

Not on my records just report and readings and a lot of techinal words ????

 

[PP Bear]

I like to know numbers and keep records of the readings , mine every 6 months

Here we go, thanks for the heads up

This is all the details in the letter, so I’m posting it as it might be of interest to others.



PSA Total: 0.83 ng/ml
Free-to-Total Ratio:

The result of your blood test on Saturday 18 May 2024 indicates that your Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level is as shown above; the Free-to-Total Ratio is also shown if available.

Whilst this appears “normal” within the guidelines outlined below, you should be aware that even with a normal PSA there is still a chance of having prostate disease. Therefore, if you are having problems visiting the toilet very frequently, making several visits during the night, having to rush to the toilet urgently, waiting a long time to start, only having a weak stream, passing blood or experiencing incontinence you are still advised to see your GP, especially when these symptoms occur with a PSA above 1.4 ng/ml.

NB : If you are taking Finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) or Dutasteride (Avodart or Combodart) it is understood the “true” value of your PSA could be approximately double that shown.

The frequency of follow-up PSA testing depends on your likely risk of developing an aggressive, dangerous PCa. This is calculated from a number of factors, principally your age, ethnicity, family history and the initial PSA result.

As you received a normal GREEN PSA result, one of five possible follow-up PSA options are listed below. PSA- based screen programmes in Europe and North America using similar algorithms have been shown to reduce the PCa death rate by 50% or more.

Follow-up PSA in 1 year: a definite risk factor identified. Alternatively a PSA in the upper 25% of the normal range.

Follow-up PSA in 2 years: a possible risk factor identified. Alternatively a PSA in the 50-74% of the normal range.

Follow-up PSA in 3 years: no risk factors identified and a PSA below 50% of the normal range.

No further PSA tests recommended: age 75 or over and no risk factors identified and a PSA < 1 ng/ml.

No further PSA tests recommended: age 80 or over and no risk factors identified and a PSA below 50% of the normal range.

Based on this information and your latest PSA score we recommend that you have a repeat test in May 2027. You are, of course, free to book a test at any time. The choice is yours.

NB : The PSA result is a guide. It is not an absolute indicator for presence or absence of prostate cancer. Furthermore, there is no UK, standardised, age-weighted range of normal PSA levels. The ranges we use are based on a 2020 review of the levels used by 12 of the NHS England Cancer Regions.

If you would like to discuss any aspects of this result or details of our research programme, then please get in touch with us.

Please note that these testing services are provided by Prostate Cancer Support Organisation, in conjunction with GFCT who facilitate the online booking and results retrieval system, you can find out more about the testing and results services provided including all of the terms and conditions relating to these services via the website links below.

We would be really grateful if you would reply to questionnaires and audit requests in order to engage with the research questionnaire being carried out in conjunction with GFCT and the University of Manchester. This is vital research to improve future screening.

PCaSO - Prostate Cancer Support Organisation
info@psatests.org.uk
pcaso.org/
01926419959
PO Box 66 Emsworth Hants, PO10 7ZP

 

[The general]

Here we go, thanks for the heads up

This is all the details in the letter, so I’m posting it as it might be of interest to others.



PSA Total: 0.83 ng/ml
Free-to-Total Ratio:

The result of your blood test on Saturday 18 May 2024 indicates that your Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level is as shown above; the Free-to-Total Ratio is also shown if available.

Whilst this appears “normal” within the guidelines outlined below, you should be aware that even with a normal PSA there is still a chance of having prostate disease. Therefore, if you are having problems visiting the toilet very frequently, making several visits during the night, having to rush to the toilet urgently, waiting a long time to start, only having a weak stream, passing blood or experiencing incontinence you are still advised to see your GP, especially when these symptoms occur with a PSA above 1.4 ng/ml.

NB : If you are taking Finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) or Dutasteride (Avodart or Combodart) it is understood the “true” value of your PSA could be approximately double that shown.

The frequency of follow-up PSA testing depends on your likely risk of developing an aggressive, dangerous PCa. This is calculated from a number of factors, principally your age, ethnicity, family history and the initial PSA result.

As you received a normal GREEN PSA result, one of five possible follow-up PSA options are listed below. PSA- based screen programmes in Europe and North America using similar algorithms have been shown to reduce the PCa death rate by 50% or more.

Follow-up PSA in 1 year: a definite risk factor identified. Alternatively a PSA in the upper 25% of the normal range.

Follow-up PSA in 2 years: a possible risk factor identified. Alternatively a PSA in the 50-74% of the normal range.

Follow-up PSA in 3 years: no risk factors identified and a PSA below 50% of the normal range.

No further PSA tests recommended: age 75 or over and no risk factors identified and a PSA < 1 ng/ml.

No further PSA tests recommended: age 80 or over and no risk factors identified and a PSA below 50% of the normal range.
View attachment 900756

Based on this information and your latest PSA score we recommend that you have a repeat test in May 2027. You are, of course, free to book a test at any time. The choice is yours.

NB : The PSA result is a guide. It is not an absolute indicator for presence or absence of prostate cancer. Furthermore, there is no UK, standardised, age-weighted range of normal PSA levels. The ranges we use are based on a 2020 review of the levels used by 12 of the NHS England Cancer Regions.

If you would like to discuss any aspects of this result or details of our research programme, then please get in touch with us.

Please note that these testing services are provided by Prostate Cancer Support Organisation, in conjunction with GFCT who facilitate the online booking and results retrieval system, you can find out more about the testing and results services provided including all of the terms and conditions relating to these services via the website links below.

We would be really grateful if you would reply to questionnaires and audit requests in order to engage with the research questionnaire being carried out in conjunction with GFCT and the University of Manchester. This is vital research to improve future screening.

PCaSO - Prostate Cancer Support Organisation
info@psatests.org.uk
pcaso.org/
01926419959
PO Box 66 Emsworth Hants, PO10 7ZP

Interesting many thax

 

[StillGoing]

There’s an interesting article in The Times today. It’s behind a paywall but the summary is:

Spit test for prostate cancer could save thousands of lives

At-home kit collects saliva samples that can reveal genetic markers of the disease, ‘significantly outperforming’ PSA blood tests, a trial study shows.

 

[scotjimland]

There’s an interesting article in The Times today. It’s behind a paywall but the summary is:

Spit test for prostate cancer could save thousands of lives

At-home kit collects saliva samples that can reveal genetic markers of the disease, ‘significantly outperforming’ PSA blood tests, a trial study shows.

yes, it was also on BBC News today ..

Prostate cancer hopes raised after at-home spit test trials

Research suggests cheap and simple spit tests may be better at catching the disease than blood tests.

www.bbc.co.uk

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