When can I stop PSA testing

Posted by revecz @revecz, 10 hours ago

75 years old. psa three years ago 3.7. Last two psa’s were 5.1. No family history of prostate cancer. Overall health is good. PSA in 2018 was 2.9. PSA in May 2025 was 5.1. When, if ever, can I stop PSA testing?

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Are you doing any other bloodwork besides PSA as part of your annual health checkup?

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Since the PSA test is so easy, I'd say you should stop it when you die.

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@brianjarvis

Are you doing any other bloodwork besides PSA as part of your annual health checkup?

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Yes....All the other "normal" - "regular" things that are included in an annual exam.

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You need to do more than consider when to stop testing? Your PSA has risen a lot, To the point that you really need to get it checked. You could actually have a PSE test done, It would tell whether or not there is cancer in your body and whether or not you need to do a biopsy.

You should see a urologist about the PSA.

I’m 77 and I’m only this old because I had treatment and took the drugs when I needed to. You’re definitely not too old.

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That's a good question. Why are you thinking of stopping? Do you feel that you're at an age where you wouldn't want to treat prostate cancer if it were discovered, or do you have other concerns?

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@revecz

Yes....All the other "normal" - "regular" things that are included in an annual exam.

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Then, continuing to include PSA testing with all your other bloodwork doesn’t cost you anything. I would keep doing it.

Consider that at 75y, your PSA isn’t high (just elevated). The Mayo Clinic recommends using age-based PSA reference ranges for PSA screening. Generally, the upper limit for PSA increases with age:
40-49 years: 2.5 ng/mL
50-59 years: 3.5 ng/mL
60-69 years: 4.5 ng/mL
70-79 years: 6.5 ng/mL

If you’re concerned about the rate of increase of your PSA, you should consider taking a look at your:
> PSA Doubling Time
> PSA Density
> % Free PSA

Also, consider other biomarker (genomic) and genetic (germline) test results.

If you’re still concerned, consider getting an MRI and see where that takes you. With all that information, you’ll have enough information to decide what to do next.

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