A Weight off my Mind

How are you feeling right now? I am feeling really relieved right now. Yesterday I went for an appointment at the hospital regarding my prostate. My previous blood test had shown enough of a spike for my Doctor to refer me for possible early cancer. I had been for a second blood test to check […]

A Weight off my Mind

Here’s an opportunity to share two things. First some really good news and second some really good advice.

First the Urology consultant told me that my PSA was now low enough for me to be removed from the list for regular appointments! I now just need to have a yearly test and be referred if it spikes again. To say I am happy and relieved is an understatement.

Second, the advice. One of the main reasons we don’t have a national screening programme is that the PSA test can be unreliable for a number of reasons. (Despite this, I still think it’s worth rolling out to every man above the age of 50.) To give the most reliable readings you should implement the following for a week prior to the test

• No ejaculation
• No cycling or horse riding
• Do not test if you suspect or know that you have had a UTI
• You must also tell your doctor if you are taking any hormone treatments or finasteride or dutasteride to deal with enlarged prostate or hair loss. These drugs will lead to an increased PSA reading.

Follow those for a week beforehand and you will have the most accurate possible reading. Oh, and don’t put it off any longer than a year. Make sure you keep an eye on your PSA as the earlier it’s caught the better.