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Journey begins - age 51, PSA 72

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Nov 7 8:27pm | Replies (43)

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@survivor5280

@deku you are anything but alone. I'm newly diagnosed myself and am also relatively young for this at 54, so I cannot offer much advice but what I can say is wait until the biopsy is done. Mine was done on October 1st, results the 2nd, Decipher 8 days ago. My concerns were pretty grounded until 8 days ago. The biopsy isn't fun and I don't wish to repeat it, but you might be in the lucky group of men who don't need to worry about anything yet (or perhaps ever). Even if you have cancer, it's still possible that nothing needs to be done about it.

My first prognosis was active surveillance until the Decipher negated that and pushed me into prostatectomy territory. I was fine with active surveillance and it's not uncommon to just simply monitor this slow growing cancer for years. So even if something is found, you may simply need to get it checked regularly to make sure it's not progressing. Yes that means more unpleasant biopsies but it's better than treatment.

Hang in there! The biopsy sucks and for a couple weeks after it's an adjustment to the after effects but it passes, and just maybe you'll be absolutely fine - even if you do have cancer!

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Replies to "@deku you are anything but alone. I'm newly diagnosed myself and am also relatively young for..."

So true. The biopsy is not pleasant but it is a good, the best?, way to confirm mri scan. It should give a better idea of size, location, stage etc of what is there. For information, I went for robotic removal, partly due to my age (72) and I found the waiting a bit stressful.

My Psa level went down between tests but that by itself is not that helpful, Constant surveillance was an option, but I chose not to. A cancer can grow without warning and I was lucky with size, stage and location. I preferred to remove the risk and the waiting but that was a personal choice ably backed up with family support. I am waiting for my post op meeting with my consultant. Removal does not necessarily I am 100% clear.
Every one is different and be happy with your choice.