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prostate biopsy or not

Posted , 10 users are following.

john47646
john47646

3 years ago my psa was 7 so I had a biopsy which came back clear.  I am 68 years old and my psa is now 13. I had an mri which did not show any mass but my specialistt still wants to do a biopsy.  some days I ejaculate up to 4 times.  Before having a biopsy should I abstain form eljaculating for a weel and have a psa test to see if it comes down.

1 like, 43 replies

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  • craig84609
    craig84609 john47646

    Posted

    You should not have a PSA test after masterbation. I would not even have a PSA test at all. There are to many false positive results. PSA is only a measure of prostate enlargement. The prostate can be enlarged from BPH, Prostatitis, or cancer. If it was a 3T MRI it would have shown cancer. If it wasn't a 3T then it was low resolution and the biopsy makes sense. I would first have a PCA3 test done. If the results are over 35 then you will have a high probability of cancer. You may never be affected by the cancer if it is slow growing. I would have the PCA3 test. This will tell you if you need a biopsy. I may have to have a PCA3 test myself, next week. I have some odd symptoms, but I would never go in for a biopsy based on a PSA. PCA3 yes. I hope this helps. Get the PCA3.
    • john47646
      john47646 craig84609

      Posted

      Thanks Craig thats good to know will see my Doctor next week
    • Greebo64
      Greebo64 john47646

      Posted

      John i hope your GP is better than mine, when i asked him about Scans he told me he was not aware of any available for detecting prostate cancer, but on doing research myself on the internet, NHS webpages, there is a MRI 3T scanner in our local hospital, so my GP is either useless or a liar.

      i see my urologist on the 12th of this month so i will see what he has to say. i had a TURP just over 2 years ago & was good after this up until last year when my flow was weak my urine was dark ^& with a strong smellr, in December 2015 i had blood in my urine, i had a cystoscopy, & 2 days after that was admitted to hospital in agony with a severe infection...

      i am certain that taking sinvastatin & apixaban [blood thiiner for AF]

      caused this problem, when they fixed the infection & i was discharged i stopped taking the statins & the apixaban, everything went back to normal, good flow, no strong smell & clear urine..but just recently i had some blood test done & surprisingly the PSA reading was 7.2...thus the forthcoming appointment & follow up from December

    • barney34567
      barney34567 Greebo64

      Posted

      Please remember that a 3T scan is better than a 1.5T scan if you will have the images reported on by a specialist prostate radiologist.

      I am relaibly informed that the key is the quality of the radiologist and not whether you use a 1.5T or a 3T scan.

      Also I assume you have NO mental implants, clips, coils or pacemakers as they are often (not always) contraindicated with 3T scans. But 1.5T is usually quite safe.

    • Greebo64
      Greebo64 barney34567

      Posted

      When you mention metal implants, does it make a differencere they are?

      i have a metal hip joint, & also titanium plate in my neck. 

      i have had MRI scans before for various things, but non yet for my

      prostate.

      i will have to see what my urologists says about my PSA of 7.2 when i see him on the 12th 

    • barney34567
      barney34567 Greebo64

      Posted

      I was told it makes no difference where the implant is. The fact is the whole room is subjected to the magnetic field of the scanner.

      there was a case years ago in the USA where a kid was scanned. He has no implants at all, but there was a metal canister in the room which flew like the Concorde when the scanner was manipulated.

      the best thing you can do is what I did: talk to the MRI facility when you book. Tell them what implant you have and where it is. Ideally give them the manufacter's name and model number. That way they can double check on its safety.

      as a rule, 1.5T scans are safe for many not all implants

      3T scanners which produce great images are less safe.

      if you have a skerrick of a worry based on what you are told by the imaging facility then do not undertake the scan.

      and by that I mean what they write to you.

      i for one do not trust I i aging staff who, on a nod and a wink say " we cannot put this in writing, but I feel it's safe for you"

  • Roger2Dodger
    Roger2Dodger john47646

    Posted

    Hi John,

    At 68 years old, you  masterbate 4 times a fay OR is it You have sex 4 times a day. Younger men don't have that kind of desire. I must say you have a rare condition at 68 years of age or you are just blowing smoke. However, if you have read any at all regarding PSA test. There are a few things you must refrain from before the test. and certainly ejaculating before is one of them.

    • john47646
      john47646 Roger2Dodger

      Posted

      Thanks for you comment Roger, everyone has different lifestyles.  I m not blowing smoke, yes it is excessive, I live on my own I am vertually houseboundso I will try to refrain for a week and have a psa test again
    • alfred5
      alfred5 john47646

      Posted

      Hi. My other half was told for a true psa reading he should abstain from sex for a month. But if that isn't realistic then a week will help. But definitely 3 or 4 days. It will effect the result. (As will bicycle riding) I don't think it matters before a biopsy. But if you have a biopsy and masturbate the next you may have a shock as to what comes out. (Tomato ketchup is an accurate description!)
    • john47646
      john47646 alfred5

      Posted

      Yea Alfred I had 3 years ago not a nice experience eh
    • barney34567
      barney34567 john47646

      Posted

      Make a point of informing the radiologist of ALL the meds and supplements you are on as some elevate the PSA and some lower the PSA.
  • Pepasan
    Pepasan john47646

    Posted

    Both psa blood test and pca3 urine analysis are advised as a combination. Don't discard the psa even the specialist website emphasises they are complementary not alternatives :  The Prostate CAncer gene 3 (PCA3) Assay is a gene-based test. It is not a replacement for prostate specific antigen (PSA). It is an additional tool to help decide if in men suspected of having prostate cancer (PCa), e.g. those with a PSAbetween 2.5 and 10 ng/mL, prostate biopsy is really needed to diagnose PCa. PCA3 is, unlike PSA, prostate cancer-specific. This means that it is only produced by PCa cells and not affected by prostate size. It discriminates better than PSA between PCa and benign/non-cancerous prostate diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, i.e. prostate enlargement) or prostatitis (infection of the prostate). Therefore, PCA3 gives very useful information, in addition to PSA, in deciding if biopsy is really needed.
    • craig84609
      craig84609 Pepasan

      Posted

      I would get the PCA3 if contemplating a biopsy. It can be the deciding factor. I personally have decided not to have a PSA test due to it being innacurate at detecting cancer risk. this is a decision that each man must make as to what is good for them. Biopsy is super risky in some people like myself so that is why I wouldn't depend on PSA. DRE with the PCA3 test should be enough to check for cancer. Again it is ultamately your decision as to whether you want it or not.
    • Pepasan
      Pepasan craig84609

      Posted

      Craig84609 - I don't get why you refuse the psa when it can be considered along with other tests. PSA levels have been a brilliant, easy, process for me in monitoring whether there is any change in my condition over the years (I have both PCa and BPH). It reminds me of golf (not that I've ever played it!) where I'm measuring against myself from time to time. When the result is the same each 6 months it's a reassurance to me. When it goes up, I and my urologist know to do other tests. I'm not advocating getting biopsy because of one raised psa test result, it's about forming a picture over time alongside the other tests and measures.
    • craig84609
      craig84609 Pepasan

      Posted

      I don't trust PSA at all. It can only indicate inflamation of the prostate. PCA3 is cancer specific and only reacts to cancer cells nothing else. It doesn't pick up on BPH or Prostatitis like PSA. That is why I choose not to have it. Not saying that one shouldn't have it but it is a personal decision that one must make.
    • Pepasan
      Pepasan craig84609

      Posted

      I agree it's not sufficient as a diagnostic tool. Nonetheless PSA has been very useful to me and my urologist in tracking change over time.
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