trademarked
New User
Joined: 21 Jul 2009
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject: Grandfather had it, Father had it, ... get tested at age..? |
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I'm 28 now, and since my grandfather and father both had it, I'm assuming the same will happen to me, although I do live a bit of a healthier lifestyle. They got it around age 60 I believe.
If I want to play it safe, at what age should I start getting checked out?
Thanks! |
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Replicant
Moderator
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Posts: 860
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| Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject: personally |
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Personally, I would start at 40.
The American Urological Association recommends men be offered the test at 40, (they used to say 50) and the frequency of future tests (they recommend) should be based on the outcome of that first test. This is partly because of studies that show a single test at age 40 is predictive of future cancer. For example, one study showed that " a single PSA test before age 40 can identify men with almost no chance of getting prostate cancer — and men with very high odds of getting prostate cancer — in the next 30 years." http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=89730
In other words, if you're nice and low at 40, the recommendation from a urologist who follows AUA advice would have you come back not annually, but in a few years. The test at 40 becomes your baseline. If your PSA is above a certain level, you would be followed closely.
Given your family history, you would probably want to be more proactive than the general population.
You probably know that there is some controversy about PSA screening, and you should educate yourself and be prepared for the consequences of what is found. The double-edged sword is that screening can save the life of a guy with Gleason 9 while it means someone else with cancer that would have never bothered him undergoes life-altering treatment. You need to come to grips, if you haven't yet, with what that means to you personally. Take a look at the Mayo Clinic information sheet on pros and cons of PSA testing: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-cancer/HQ01273/NSECTIONGROUP=2
You can also see recommendations on age and PSA testing from other organizations on that Mayo page. For example, the American Cancer Society says doctors should offer it to patients starting at age 50, or 45 if you are at higher risk than average. The Centers for Disease Control believe that there is insufficient evidence to recommend screening.
Hopefully, before you turn 40 there will be better tests than PSA. There are a few on the horizon that appear promising.
_________________
Replicant
Dx Feb 2006, PSA 9 @age 43
RRP Apr 2006 - Gleason 3+4, T2c, NXMX, pos margins
PSA 5/06 <0.1, 8/06 0.2, 12/06 0.6, 1/07 0.7.
Salvage radiation (IMRT) total dose 70.2 Gy, Jan-Mar 2007@ age 44
PSA 6/07 0.1, 9/07 (and thereafter) <0.1
http://pcabefore50.blogspot.com |
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trademarked
New User
Joined: 21 Jul 2009
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Grandfather had it, Father had it, ... get tested at age..? |
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Thanks for all the information. I wasn't aware that there were so many issues with the PSA test. At least now I know, what I don't know  |
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