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Twelve years out from surgery and radiation I recently have had an experience with PSA testing. My Va physical showed a jump from .19 to .32 in six months. Concerning of course. Went to my original caregiver to check it out and quite possibly get a pet scan. We took another PSA just to see if any changes were going on due to the supposed rapid rise at the VA. That test came back as UNDETECTABLE! My first reaction was of course elation, but thoughts soon turned to who to believe. There is a big difference between undetectable and a .32. What is going on and are PSA tests at the mercy of the person conducting the test?
That’s weird. Obviously I would get it checked again, but it seems strange though both of the VA tests would be wrong. What has been the trend of your PSA? I know some clinics like MD Anderson call anything under .1 undetectable.
Just a response here to my subject. I have had two unrelated PSA tests done now since the VA scare. BOTH have come back undetectable, a far cry for the VA .32 I received many months ago. Be careful before taking that next step into treatment on evidence of a possible glitched test. Jon.
I have noticed a lack of informed caregivers when checking PSA levels after cancer treatment. They appear to be using the same criteria used for men who still have their prostate and so meaningful PSA readings post-treatment may not be taken seriously or even noticed by uninformed care givers. be aware. Jon.
