General Discussion

Bluetus

(1,306 posts)

32. I completely agree about the annual PSA

Mon May 19, 2025, 12:46 PM

May 19

and/or digital exam. These are very low cost tests. To think that we don't value a person even enough for a $50 investment once a year says a lot about us.

When we get into MRIs and biopsies, that is a different matter. MRIs are expensive. And there are not many procedures more tortuous than the standard prostate biopsy. But you wouldn't do either of those without either seeing an elevated PSA or having a concert from a digital exam.

Some 70-year-olds are on their deathbed, but many of us are not. I just returned from the gym where I have been rehabbing so I can return to organized sports. If I still had a prostate, I'd be doing a PSA test annually for at least another 15 years if I am lucky enough to still be alive. (As it is, I have an annual PSA tests for 10 years after the removal.)

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

40 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I am just learning that it's uncommon for men 70+ to get PSA tests... why?? [View all] themaguffin May 19 OP

Simple really Johnny2X2X May 19 #1

It is faulty reasoning which is using outdated recommendations. PSA is simply a data point, and if it JohnSJ May 19 #11

A high PSA without prostate cancer is not a false positive for cancer NoRethugFriends May 19 #12

What is your reasoning? Semantics? Bernardo de La Paz May 19 #15

My thinking is that I clearly didn't wind up finishing the post. My bad. I corrected it. NoRethugFriends May 19 #19

the husband of a dear friend died of dementia back last July. I was shocked. I had no idea one could die of dementia but CTyankee May 19 #23

In Alzheimer's, the brain deteriorates to the point it cannot handle basic bodily functions, Midnight Writer May 19 #24

I think you are correct Bluetus May 19 #31

Because the common "wisdom" is that if you're 70 or older, the relief is a hard thing on an older fellow ... marble falls May 19 #2

No idea. J_William_Ryan May 19 #3

BPH can effect PSA values, but based on prostate size, density, PSA velocity, etc. They can reasonably JohnSJ May 19 #14

I completely agree about the annual PSA Bluetus May 19 #32

While I am not necessarily in agreement, mind you: hlthe2b May 19 #4

Those recommendations in regard to PSAs are outdated. PSAs are simply a data point which indicates JohnSJ May 19 #17

These are the official recommendations. While I clearly stated I as a professional do not necessarily agree hlthe2b May 19 #20

Yes, I agree it does need to be individualized, but the fact that the decision by too many physicians JohnSJ May 19 #29

Thanks for this very helpful post karynnj May 19 #25

Yes. He does. It was included in an earlier medical report released publicly. hlthe2b May 19 #27

I am not over 70 yet but I demand a PSA test at every yearly exam. You can choose to not treat if it is non-aggressive. dutch777 May 19 #5

I'm a truck driver, so naturally I go for a physical every year at the VA including a PSA test, MarineCombatEngineer May 19 #6

My last PSA was 7.9. Supposedly, normal is 4.0 I am told. My doctor says the 7.9 is my normal. OLDMDDEM May 19 #7

Hubby was just told his normal seems to be 6.4 woodsprite May 19 #26

Everyone is different. Our son is worried because his is over the 4.0 norm. My norm being in the OLDMDDEM May 19 #28

Over treatment is no joke Luvcatz14 May 19 #8

I read that they say do the test between 50 and 69. n/t malaise May 19 #9

Hmmmm Littlered May 19 #10

Here's the American Cancer Society recommendation surfered May 19 #13

Thanks malaise May 19 #21

Hope you don't have a problem 🙏 surfered May 19 #33

No problem malaise May 19 #39

My experience: surfered May 19 #16

The PSA test does not reveal anything really. dugog55 May 19 #18

I'm missing... Mike Nelson May 19 #22

Is this the test obnoxiousdrunk May 19 #30

See my reply below. Aristus May 19 #35

I order a PSA for every fifty+ year-old male coming in for an annual physical exam. Aristus May 19 #34

Don't think it's providers but HCIs that don't mind if people suffer uponit7771 May 19 #36

Health insurance companies for sure, at least. Aristus May 19 #37

There no doubt needs to be public options for HC like USPS which Americans like cause they do a decent job when uponit7771 May 19 #40

It depends on your doctors Meowmee May 19 #38