PSA spike over a year. Seeking knowledge.

Even if it is the Big C, prostate cancer is one of the slowest-growing.

For me, it was
- PSA rising
- MRI to look for issues
- lesions found
- biopsy confirmed.

Hopefully that's your path as well.
All is not lost. One step at a time.
You've come to the right place to ask guys who have been there... done that.
Waiting for each step is awful but necessary.

And yes... push for tests.
Now is not the time to worry about bothering anyone. Get all the tests you can.

And at 53, you're "young".
So there's that.

Most large spikes are due to prostate infection/inflammation rather than cancer. Best is to be prescribed and take antibiotic treatment and then get retested in 1 to 2 months. If it is high due to inflammation and this persists the retest just gets you more concerned without eliminating anything. Inflammation can easily triple the PSA. I know people that had PSAs 1.5 jump up over 7 and after antibiotics drop down back under 2. Can also get a free PSA test with the retest (same blood draw). If cancer free PSA is typically 10% or less; no cancer free PSA 25% or more ... and then the gray zone is > 10% and < 25%. This test costs about the same as standard PSA but you need both since it just provides free PSA, not total PSA.

The other item you will need to deal with if the PSA does not go down is who is paying for the MRI, Biopsy, etc. Medical insurance not likely to pay until PSA is over the limit. May get an exception if in a high-risk group (1st degree relatives had prostate cancer, etc.) or have a second large increase with a retest about 6 months later (but then your PSA should be over 3 which is the typical bogie at age 53).

@jim18
Great advice and really helpful. I’ve requested a digital exam, but was told by others that’s not really conclusive.
Should I request the antibiotic? Maybe retest sooner with the free PSA?

Yes, your PSA isn’t very high, but have you had anything like BPH? Urinary issues? They can cause a PSA rise.

If it’s really worth it to you, you could get a PSE test which will tell you whether or not there is cancer in your system and it’s 94% accurate. It’s a blood test.

Talk to your doctor into giving you a PSA test in three months instead of six months. That could confirm whether or not something’s going on as well.

Having sex shortly before having your PSA test, Riding a bike before having the test, Both of these things can cause your PSA to rise.

@jeffmarc
I did do over a 60 minute workout the morning of my draw, focusing on my core.

@asgmiami1
Here some information that may reduce your anxiety

A 60-minute intense workout, particularly cycling or activities that cause pelvic friction, can temporarily raise your PSA levels. Vigorous exercise or direct pressure on the prostate can cause it to release more PSA into the blood, potentially leading to a false-positive result. Experts recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for 48 hours before a PSA test.

@jeffmarc
Thank you. This does help.

See if you can get a MRI on a 3T machine only. Most MRI are 1.5 T not strong enough to pick up prostate cancer

@asgmiami1 You can always get another PSA in 3 months instead of 6. You’ll have less anxiety and more info sooner, rather than later.
Phil

@heavyphil
I need to do something before 6 months. This anxiety and stress is overwhelming. EVERY little thing going on with my body, I’m now associating as a symptom of disease. I have a bilateral shoulder injury due to overuse of my shoulders (MRI confirmed) from my job, but even that I’m relating to the disease now as possible met’s.