.026
And once again, for the fourth year, I'm truly thankful to the LORD! Still undetectable!
As I mentioned before, I still get my PSA done at Methodist Hospital which uses the "ultra-sensitive" test that tallies results out to the thousandths place (i.e. .001, with 1 being in that place). The normal PSA test gives results to the hundredths (i.e. .o1, with 1 being in the hundredths). Ultra-sensitive PSA gives a more accurate reading whereas the normal test gives a reading of > 0r = .05. So there would be no accurate knowledge of where the number would be with the normal testing if it's less. Now, the only con to the PSA, which by the way stands for "prostate specific antigen," is that there are supposedly other organs in the body that produce the antigen (i'm still researching this). So, with that in mind, a rising PSA doesn't always mean cancer. As far as the prostate goes, it could be an infection, or prostatitis. So that would mean that PSA isn't really as "accurate" as it states. But, anytime there is a high result, it should raise an eyebrow to do further testing. That's why the PSA isn't the final verdict. Depending on how high the number, the biopsy is really the accurate result. But still, I want to know, as best as I can, exactly where it is, so the ultra-sensitive is for me from here on out!
2 comments:
Wow, that's great. Thanks be to God. Knowing the number of men who have prostate cancer has increased annually is very alarming. I keep on telling my husband his chances in having prostate cancer and so he must be aware of it. When did you start doing PSA testing? Is that a series of testing or is just done once?
wow! not used to comments. would like to get more. tracy,
it's best to start at age 40. i would go as early as 35, especially for black men since it's more prominent in our race.
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