Older brother reporting high PSA

Diseases & Conditions Prostate Cancer
1

I’m almost 68, had RALP 11+ years ago, all is good for me.

I got a text from my brother today, he is 70. According to him, his PSA has been bouncing around 5.5 for years. He had one recently and got a 6.5. His PCP wants him to visit a urologist.

Here’s what I told him:

  1. Suggest another PSA in a month, just to see if it a fluke or not.
  2. At 70, a PSA of 6.5 is not extreme.
  3. That the URO will probably want an MRI to see if there are any hot spots.
  4. Don’t panic.
  5. That a big jump like that might easily mean infection, not PC. In fact, probably more likely infection.

Did I miss anything?

Oh, our Dad died of PC 22 years ago, at age 78.

2

Encourage your brother to follow up with the urologist.

It’s going to be on his mind, anyway.

It can take some weeks to get an appointment.

Keep us updated -

Cyclone

3

Given your family history, he should be seeing a Urologist and getting a MRI soon. Always get a MRI now before any biopsies. There are lots of reasons for higher PSA and one bad one. There are some other blood tests now too that may aid the diagnosis.

The “don’t panic” comment is commendable but look at from his viewpoint, Dad and brother had PCa but don’t worry?

The key is that PCa is treatable if one has it so men should not flip out just because they might have PCa. See the appropriate medical specialists and follow the process to its conclusion, hoping that it is all a waste of time. If not, study part 2 options if he gets to that point.

Good luck

4

I’ll second Mumbo’s suggestion. With a father who had PCa, you want to (1) rule out current evidence of cancer and then (2) monitor closely going forward, so if cancer should appear, you know you’ve caught it as early as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment is a big advantage for serious cases.

Djin

5

He did say that his PCP wants him to see the Uro, and the first available appointment is in mid-September. Knowing his wife, she will make him go!