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How do you measure "time to BCR" ?
I was wondering - is time to BCR counted from the date of RP or from the date when the first post operative PSA was tested ? 🙄 To me the more logical method would be from the date of RP but there is little logic with PC behavior in general *sigh.
Thanks in advance ! : )))
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The amount of time you stayed undetectable since the prostatectomy would be the amount of time until BCR.
As long as your PSA is < .1 Then it is technically considered undetectable. If you had an undetectable PSA, the first time it was tested after the prostatectomy then it’s considered undetectable as of the prostatectomy.
Some people never reached that point after a prostatectomy so they have BCR immediately.
For me, it took 3 1/2 years before my PSA rose to .2 which was considered BCR.
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8 Reactions@jeffmarc
Jeff, thanks. What if the prostate was not removed?
@denis76
The amount of time since your last day of radiation treatment would be a good standard for how long you’ve been successfully treated. The thing with radiation is, you may not become undetectable for a while, but as long as your PSA tends downward, that is pretty normal. It may bounce around a little bit, But you’re looking at is where it’s trending.
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2 ReactionsFor me, my medical team and I used the date of my surgery as the start point.
Ergo, 14 March 2914, PSA < .1 until September 2015 when it came back at .2, so 18 months to BCR...
I've seen literature that says BCR at less than three years is clinical a data indicator of high risk...so even if we had used the date of first PSA...
Kevin
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1 ReactionHi,
I don’t think it matters much. Just keeps checking your PSA at the frequency your doctor specifies and the doctor will let you know if your cancer has returned. The goal is never getting to the BCR.
Dave 3+4
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1 ReactionFrom my experience time to BCR was based on my 3 month blood tests, not a time frame. PSA velocity would determine when one hit BCR. Took me two years from a .03 post RP to be categorized as BCR with a PSA of .22. I think this is what you are asking. Some guys hit that number much faster some slower. Best wishes on your journey.
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1 Reactioncan finesteride lower psa count
@sav2010
Not a simple answer.
Finasteride will lower your PSA for sure. But to regularly figure out what your PSA is, you have to double the number you get while on finasteride.
Finasteride is used to treat men who have symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia.
@sav2010, are you taking finasteride and concerned that it might be masking a rising PSA?