Outside of PSMA scans what tests are important to new patients?

We all have to decide what is best for us and the quality of life we want both physically and mentally.

I was 76 when I got diagnosed with prostrate cancer and did not hesitate to have proton radiation to cure it. I expect to live a very long life so what ever I needed to do to stay with that plan I was going to do.

Statistics are just that. There is no definite time frame for life expectancy. Live expectancy were and are based on statistics not individuals. Thus some life expectancies will be less and some more. Think positive and have your mental outlook as I am in the more class.

A PSMA will show areas outside your prostrate gland have been invaded. It is a good test and I think should be standard with any prostrate diagnosis. Another test to consider is bone scan. Another Decipher which is help diagnose your cancer risk level and appropriate treatments.

Good luck!!!!!

Thank you jc76. Love your positive attitude. I think it’s very important and my Urologist said my attitude was a big factor when I beat bladder cancer. Bladder cancer free for 11 years but it’s time to battle Prostate cancer. Wishing all best for good health. Ken

PSA has increased on docetaxel😞 Will have PSMA scan that points out cancer, then Pluvicto targeted therapy.

Gleason score.
Decifer
Artera AI.

Where the tumors are located within the prostate will help with decisions

All of those will help define your risk category and align suggested treatment plans.

Thank you @hbp for the good advice. I do have a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plan. They have a third party making treatment decisions. I think it’s called Carelon. I have a list of options to fight the decision should I be denied. Thanks again, have a great week.
Ken

Ken I used to have a blue cross advantage plan with UCLA care and I tried to change to a medicare supplement but Blue Cross supplement would not accept my application from advantage to supplement. Then Blue Cross advantage cancelled care at UCLA and that event allowed me to change to a medicare supplement. Many knowledgeable people ( mostly physicians ) recommended a supplement over advantage. I changed before I got cancer but I knew that there would probably be more health issues as my wife and I got older and indeed that has been the case. Best of luck to you and to all of us!

hbp, we had a Blue Cross supplement plan for many years and the last couple years the Blue Cross advantage plan. No doubt the supplement plan was better in many ways. The premiums for my wife and myself became a problem. I retired 16 years ago doing battle with bladder cancer. I was cancer free for 11 years until last month when prostate cancer arrived. It’s outrageous what seniors are forced to pay for health care. As we know it’s the number one cause of bankruptcy. Getting off subject now, sorry. Anyway I should have a decision by the 15th of this month regarding the okay for a PSMA PET scan.
Thank you hbp for your input. Wishing you and your wife all the best and good health. Ken

I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. Outside the U.S. we hear in the news about how uninsured Americans have trouble getting healthcare, but not (often) about how expensive it sometimes is even with insurance. It must be brutal seeing your cancer eating away at your retirement savings and worrying about what will happen to your loved ones if you leave before them.

Hi northof the border, thanks for your input. Yes it is painful to see your life savings go down the drain because of health care expense. Even with insurance we have paid $186,000.00 out of pocket so far. That would be for insurance premiums, deductibles, co-pays and prescription drugs. Money we could have enjoyed or left for our children. Heartbreaking for sure. Just hope we can make it to the end without losing our home. Wishing you all the best and good health.
Ken