Curious how are you all getting scores this low? I was treated with SBRT radiation at a major cancer center and my last few PSA tests came back at "< .05" and they tell me that's considered undetectable, as low as they can measure and very good for still having a prostate, but wouldn't it be more helpful to me to know if "< .05" is .01 or .049999?
@scottbeammeup I know you were treated at Sloan and so was I. You had primary tx with Cyberknife and I had SRT.
I asked the same question since I also wanted to see a decimal point with at least two zeros after it…but no.
They told me that < .05 is the lowest score they consider and is considered undetectable.
They only start giving you actual numbers if it rises to .05 or above.
That’s fine with me because fluctuations of .01 or .02 really don’t mean anything - but tell that to your emotional self when your newest PSA is hundredths of a decimal point higher…
Why worry when you have so many other things in life to worry about?
Phil
Even the tiniest cancer remnants are dying off steadily and will continue to do so ! Just fantastic 🙂
You endured 2 treatments one after the other with almost no SA - that is reason for celebration on it's own, not to mention such fast and great results in PSA levels !
I am so happy for you John < 3, and may you soon reach whatever PSA number you wish for : ))) In the meantime try to concentrate on super healthy nutrition, relaxation and exercise : ) since all of those will help in the long run for achieving a complete and forever victory over PC.
PS: I hope you will post one of your paintings here soon ; )
@surftohealth88
Thanks Surfer!!! < 3
Still exercising everyday and now that radiation is done I have more time for the gym.
The oil painting really does help me not think about cancer for a few hours while I’m doing that. Here’s one that I’m working on now. It’s sort of a study of the “Bridge over Waterloo”, which was a series of paintings by Monet in the early 1900’s
@jeffmarc yes, he is doing well . Mine is going sideways like 0.055 , 0.042, 0.069 , 0.045 , 0,069 , and so on . I had operation 5.5 years ago , and EBRT ( 22 sessions) and no ADT . I dont know what to make of it . Have another PSA test on 18th and meeting with URO Nov 28 . Starting to stress a little . The Dr's say they are not worried because PSA is behaving like normal Protate cells and no up spiral etc .... I feel OK for sure , but worried they have it wrong !?
@vancouverislandhiker
Thanks!! I was 49 when diagnosed March 17. 2025. My psa was taken January 28, 2025 and it was 4.33. The reading before that was on Dec 8, 2023 and was 0.99.
@surftohealth88
Thanks Surfer!!! < 3
Still exercising everyday and now that radiation is done I have more time for the gym.
The oil painting really does help me not think about cancer for a few hours while I’m doing that. Here’s one that I’m working on now. It’s sort of a study of the “Bridge over Waterloo”, which was a series of paintings by Monet in the early 1900’s
@jeffmarc yes, he is doing well . Mine is going sideways like 0.055 , 0.042, 0.069 , 0.045 , 0,069 , and so on . I had operation 5.5 years ago , and EBRT ( 22 sessions) and no ADT . I dont know what to make of it . Have another PSA test on 18th and meeting with URO Nov 28 . Starting to stress a little . The Dr's say they are not worried because PSA is behaving like normal Protate cells and no up spiral etc .... I feel OK for sure , but worried they have it wrong !?
@vancouverislandhiker
Your PSA is low, and as the doctor says, it can bounce around a little after radiation And that is exactly what you are seeing. I don’t think you should really do anything more yet, The doctor seems to have Your best interests in mind.
Did the doctor want you to get on ADT? Was it recommended by the standards of care? One big mistake people make is not taking the drugs that are recommended. They stop the cancer from growing and spreading, and can really extend your life. I wouldn’t be surprised if the doctor didn’t feel you need that yet, But I don’t have enough of your medical information to make any recommendations. I know you have been around here a long time, but I just can’t keep track of everybody’s case.
I’ve been on ADT for eight years, At this point, I’m also on Nubeqa. I’ve been undetectable for the last 24 months after 16 years of prostate cancer and four reoccurrences. The drugs have kept my cancer under control for all these years. I became castrate resistance six years ago and the median survival once that happens is two years. Obviously, the drugs I’m taking are keeping that away. You probably already know all about this, but I’m Bringing it up for other people that may be reading this.
@vancouverislandhiker
Your PSA is low, and as the doctor says, it can bounce around a little after radiation And that is exactly what you are seeing. I don’t think you should really do anything more yet, The doctor seems to have Your best interests in mind.
Did the doctor want you to get on ADT? Was it recommended by the standards of care? One big mistake people make is not taking the drugs that are recommended. They stop the cancer from growing and spreading, and can really extend your life. I wouldn’t be surprised if the doctor didn’t feel you need that yet, But I don’t have enough of your medical information to make any recommendations. I know you have been around here a long time, but I just can’t keep track of everybody’s case.
I’ve been on ADT for eight years, At this point, I’m also on Nubeqa. I’ve been undetectable for the last 24 months after 16 years of prostate cancer and four reoccurrences. The drugs have kept my cancer under control for all these years. I became castrate resistance six years ago and the median survival once that happens is two years. Obviously, the drugs I’m taking are keeping that away. You probably already know all about this, but I’m Bringing it up for other people that may be reading this.
@jeffmarc Good points Jeff ! An I agree its tough to know everyones case for sure . I had operation about 5 1/2 years ago and about 2 1/2 years ago I had 22 sessions of external beam radiation I asked the doctor several times if I needed the ADT . He said that my case was not severe enough and I was doing the radiation at 0.14 which is under the threshold as well so all is good. I asked him this three times, and three times he said no ADT is not necessary. This was the radiation oncologist, then I double checked twice with the urologist and he agreed with the radiation oncologist that my cells are likely normal cells in my pelvic region and the radiation will kill of the week cancerous cells and no need for any sort of hormone. I saw some of the studies with higher efficacy with the hormone therapy prior to the radiation, but that's about 70% of the cases, 30% of the cases don't really require it and there is no enhancement. That's what my doctor told me. There is such a multitude of drugs on the market now and procedures that traditionally they were given five years to live and that is now like 15 years to live and by the time you get there, they will be other therapies available that will extend out to 25 years or more. So Jeff you likley have so many years in front of you, when you calculate change and advancement in research ! My father passed away from prostate cancer about 25 years ago. None of this stuff that we talk about today was available. Just very very basic external beam radiation and very very basic operations. I'm sure my dad would still be living 25 years later, even given his potential age now if these drugs are around. It's amazing how quickly the science and Prostate research is advancing. It's nice to see because Prostate Cancer re-search was going at a snails pace 25 years ago but the last 10 years of really concentrated on research. I guess there's money in it? :-). . Take good care my friend . James on Vancouver Island .
@vancouverislandhiker
Thanks!! I was 49 when diagnosed March 17. 2025. My psa was taken January 28, 2025 and it was 4.33. The reading before that was on Dec 8, 2023 and was 0.99.
@johndavis60 This latest one is 4 times higher than your 2023 one ? You're at 4.33 PSA now ? Maybe I misread your data . what treatments have you got ? James .
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2 Reactions@scottbeammeup I know you were treated at Sloan and so was I. You had primary tx with Cyberknife and I had SRT.
I asked the same question since I also wanted to see a decimal point with at least two zeros after it…but no.
They told me that < .05 is the lowest score they consider and is considered undetectable.
They only start giving you actual numbers if it rises to .05 or above.
That’s fine with me because fluctuations of .01 or .02 really don’t mean anything - but tell that to your emotional self when your newest PSA is hundredths of a decimal point higher…
Why worry when you have so many other things in life to worry about?
Phil
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Hug
4 Reactions@surftohealth88
Thanks Surfer!!! < 3
Still exercising everyday and now that radiation is done I have more time for the gym.
The oil painting really does help me not think about cancer for a few hours while I’m doing that. Here’s one that I’m working on now. It’s sort of a study of the “Bridge over Waterloo”, which was a series of paintings by Monet in the early 1900’s
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@jeffmarc yes, he is doing well . Mine is going sideways like 0.055 , 0.042, 0.069 , 0.045 , 0,069 , and so on . I had operation 5.5 years ago , and EBRT ( 22 sessions) and no ADT . I dont know what to make of it . Have another PSA test on 18th and meeting with URO Nov 28 . Starting to stress a little . The Dr's say they are not worried because PSA is behaving like normal Protate cells and no up spiral etc .... I feel OK for sure , but worried they have it wrong !?
John - great work ! Happy for you . How old are you what was your PSA before treatment ?
@vancouverislandhiker
Thanks!! I was 49 when diagnosed March 17. 2025. My psa was taken January 28, 2025 and it was 4.33. The reading before that was on Dec 8, 2023 and was 0.99.
@johndavis60 Love the pic AND the PSA numbers!!! You're one helluva talented dude! 🙂
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2 Reactions@vancouverislandhiker
Your PSA is low, and as the doctor says, it can bounce around a little after radiation And that is exactly what you are seeing. I don’t think you should really do anything more yet, The doctor seems to have Your best interests in mind.
Did the doctor want you to get on ADT? Was it recommended by the standards of care? One big mistake people make is not taking the drugs that are recommended. They stop the cancer from growing and spreading, and can really extend your life. I wouldn’t be surprised if the doctor didn’t feel you need that yet, But I don’t have enough of your medical information to make any recommendations. I know you have been around here a long time, but I just can’t keep track of everybody’s case.
I’ve been on ADT for eight years, At this point, I’m also on Nubeqa. I’ve been undetectable for the last 24 months after 16 years of prostate cancer and four reoccurrences. The drugs have kept my cancer under control for all these years. I became castrate resistance six years ago and the median survival once that happens is two years. Obviously, the drugs I’m taking are keeping that away. You probably already know all about this, but I’m Bringing it up for other people that may be reading this.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@jeffmarc Good points Jeff ! An I agree its tough to know everyones case for sure . I had operation about 5 1/2 years ago and about 2 1/2 years ago I had 22 sessions of external beam radiation I asked the doctor several times if I needed the ADT . He said that my case was not severe enough and I was doing the radiation at 0.14 which is under the threshold as well so all is good. I asked him this three times, and three times he said no ADT is not necessary. This was the radiation oncologist, then I double checked twice with the urologist and he agreed with the radiation oncologist that my cells are likely normal cells in my pelvic region and the radiation will kill of the week cancerous cells and no need for any sort of hormone. I saw some of the studies with higher efficacy with the hormone therapy prior to the radiation, but that's about 70% of the cases, 30% of the cases don't really require it and there is no enhancement. That's what my doctor told me. There is such a multitude of drugs on the market now and procedures that traditionally they were given five years to live and that is now like 15 years to live and by the time you get there, they will be other therapies available that will extend out to 25 years or more. So Jeff you likley have so many years in front of you, when you calculate change and advancement in research ! My father passed away from prostate cancer about 25 years ago. None of this stuff that we talk about today was available. Just very very basic external beam radiation and very very basic operations. I'm sure my dad would still be living 25 years later, even given his potential age now if these drugs are around. It's amazing how quickly the science and Prostate research is advancing. It's nice to see because Prostate Cancer re-search was going at a snails pace 25 years ago but the last 10 years of really concentrated on research. I guess there's money in it? :-). . Take good care my friend . James on Vancouver Island .
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@johndavis60 This latest one is 4 times higher than your 2023 one ? You're at 4.33 PSA now ? Maybe I misread your data . what treatments have you got ? James .