Hi Jim, I am with you! 20yr Air Force veteran
Desert Storm. When my PSA climbed to 5.1 ... 11-7-2023 the VA immediately wanted to do a trans-rectal Biopsy and remove my prostrate I said let me do some research. I felt very uncomfortable even talking with the VA Doctor! I fought with the VA to see a Urologist out side the VA for two years meanwhile my PSA continued its climb!
Finally got approved to see a Urologist and did the trans-rectal random Biopsy, I asked the Doctor what are the chances of finding anything he said 50/50 I regret doing it He also wanted to remove my prostrate After another year of MRI's & Pet-ct scans you could clearly see my Pirads 5 targets which the random Biopsy missed!
Once I turned 65 it seems the sky opened up ..... I had Medicare A&B and Tricare for life which meant I could chose everything!
The Doctor, hospital and the exact treatment I wanted "NOT WHAT THE DOCTORS SCARE YOU INTO" This year Mar 12-2026 1 got the Trans-perineal Targeted fusion Biopsy and finally found Gleason 3+4=7 one main target and one smaller target. May 19-2026 I chose Nano Knife at Mayo Clinic AZ it seemed to be the best option for my particular situation at the time of treatment my PSA climbed to 20.1.
Just had a recent PSA test it came back 2.9 and still dropping I have a follow up
August 21-2026 with Mayo hoping for another big drop. Hope this information helps you 🙏😊