Additional prostate cancer-related tests/scans

Posted by brianjarvis @brianjarvis, Apr 19 11:45am

Another anniversary —> After spending almost 9 years on active surveillance, 4 years ago today (4/19/2021), I started 28 sessions of proton beam radiation (+ 6 months of ADT) to treat my Grade Group 3 prostate cancer.
Every weekday, I would make the 40 minute drive to the UC Health Proton Therapy Center in Liberty Township, Ohio (& then hit the gym for a couple of hours before heading home).
The proton radiation treatments were relatively uneventful; the hormone treatments were very tolerable due to the resistance-training exercise.
PSA test results now vary between 0.35-0.55, and there is no evidence of disease. Life goes on…..

At this point and going forward, are there any other tests/scans - besides PSA-related tests - that insurance will cover, that should be done to monitor status given that there is no evidence of disease with PSA tests?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

bens1 | @bens1 | Apr 20 8:14am

@brianjarvis The PSE test is worth considering as it has a 94% + accuracy rate. The test also covers biological re-occurrence. The VP of Clinical Diagnostics for Biodynamics (they provide the test), Joe Abdo, has a sign in with Mayo Connect under @episwitchpse. His email address is joe.abdo@oxfordbiodynamics.com and is happy to answer questions about the test. To quote him, partially, : "Episwitch PSE can still be used with a very low psa score and can still detect prostate cancer without PSA shedding. The test can be used before, after and during treatment."