PSA normally increases with age, since it's proportional to prostate mass. So what you are looking for is a sudden increase, which may or may not indicate a malignancy. Just be aware that it's a poor indicator...low or steady PSA doesn't indicate an absence of cancer, nor does a high or growing PSA indicate the presence of cancer. A fast rising PSA could indicate a simple urinary tract infection, for example. But a rising PSA does indicate that further testing is prudent.

There are statistics that suggest that a low "free PSA" reult is indicative of cancer, but I'm not persuaded. The only definitive test for PC is a biopsy,however, that's not a test you want to have more than once in a lifetime. Free PSA test has value if you're trying to avoid a biopsy, but it has its limitations. Everything is a decision, and every decision has consequences.

By 60 or so, you should be seeing a doctor annually and a PSA test should be part of the blood test routine. Don't depend on what you read on the net, however well meaning or well researched.

The epidemiology for daily 81mg of aspirin is very strong. However, chronic aspirin usage works by inhibiting blood clotting. if you have conditions that make you susceptible to bleeding, even something as straightforward as an ulcer, it may be a very bad idea. I believe current best practice is to recommend it only after an initial stroke or heart attack to mitigate a recurrence. So even there, the advice of a doctor is important.

My personal logic although I of course defer to doctors. They always almost prescribe 81mg of aspirin to reduce the chances of a follow up heart attack. Logically then it should also reduce the chances of a preliminary one. If you are in group that has some pre currsors to an event. Talk it over with your doctor.

Their opinions will vary. Asprin was the first miracle drug ever put into common use. Besides a blood thinner it may also act in some still overlooked or not totally understood fashions. To take it or not depends on many factors. A certain type job . Combined with lifestyle and age issues. Is probably the best guide.

In the endless search for new drugs there is little reason to go back. To really do a totally new efficiency study on a very early drug. I have always suspected there is a lot more to common Asprin than is commonly known. Or it may be as simple as it seems.

That a major function of Asprin as an anti inflammatory drug seems to get overlooked. There exists a lot of indication that preliminary inflammation leads to very serious issues. It is proven and not generally known. That it seems to play a role in reducing the chances of colon cancer. The prescription drug industry has little to no incentive to promote it over prescription drugs in any way. If there is any business out there today that puts as much value on profitability to them. As they do. I do not know what it is.

I can present one true and totally unproven suspicion. In a couple of cases the removal of material in my bladder. The pathology stated clearly it was a by product of inflamation. Not cancer. They know and expect my bladder cancer will likely reoccur and it has. That is just the nature of the beast and bladders.

I suspect the urologist thinks the interval is much longer than what he suspects. Or should be on average. We just have never discussed it. Two more eruptions and only perhaps one as there was some confusion in one initial talk between us. In over twenty years is perhaps not all that common. Even the family doctor has stated that I have done far better than average overall with this issue.

Can I give any credit to the Asprin? Of course not but still a slight suspicion remains. Again the Asprin prescribed after a stent is installed. The stent is a foreign object placed in the body. So there should be am inflammatory response. I can see Asprin keeping that down. Any inflammation near the heart can have serious consequences.

If I had half a clue to various things I think about or consider on occasion. They would probably commit me.

Thanks for your thoughts Barry.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks for the support of them. It was my vascular surgeon that really got me thinking. Inflamation is the start of a lot of conditions that are bad. From degenerating joint conditions and upward. It may depend on the individual but I do not bleed from a cut or bruise any easier than I ever did. I get bloodwork and usually it does not bleed after the needle is removed for example. Or infiltrate into the surrounding tissue.


Before I started the 81mg of Asprin. There was no indication that a thinner was needed for my blood. By testing. I have never even had a slight headache in all the ensuing years and no joint issues. I do not seem to get colds and flues but used to. Something seems to be either boosting my immune system . Or it is just luck of the draw.


It was something odd that vascular surgeon said about people and ageing That got my attention. Obviously if it made you bleed heavier than normal unless really needed it should not be taken.


What I fear is even 10mg a day might help ward off inflamations. Officially the testing would be expensive but it should be done. It is known to fight inflamations . So it should not be that great of a leap to consider it might prevent them in very low dosages.

I was given a biopsy when my PSA increased to 5.5. I have read that PSA is over diagnosed and unnecessary procedures are given and I feel that's what happened to me. All 12 samples were neg and it took about 3 mos to recover from the procedure. My PSA has dropped twice since the high number. Now it's 4.23. I guess I have peach of mind. If PSA is below 10 and biopsy is neg there is almost no chance of cancer. Just had my DRE and according to the NP no abnormalities. My Urologist said the "Free PSA" has little value and does not use it.

__________________
Tony H
W111 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Manual transmission

Past cars:
Porsche 914 2.0
'64 Jaguar XKE Roadster
'57 Oval Window VW
'71 Toyota Hilux Pickup Truck-Dad bought new
'73 Toyota Celica GT

A spike in PSA could be linked to an infection or cause unknown.

When I said that biopsy was definitive, I should have been more specific...POSiTIVE biopsy is definitive. Negative means you went through a lot of aggravation and still can't be sure. The prostate has the consistency of Jello, so the process of biopsy is like bobbing for apples. If the needle hits something malignant, you lose. If it misses, you may be fine or they may have taken a dozen shots and still missed.

The reason they say that PSA is overdiagnosed is that PC is overdiagnosed. Only a small percentage of prostate cancers are dangerous, and an even smaller percentage are lethal. The only way to know is to let it go and see if the patient lives. So there are any number of patients receiving treatment, but few actually being saved. Here's the truth about statistics: numbers only apply to populations. To a single individual, the results are always binary, yes or no. If you are the one they save, it justifies a hundred being overtreated. If you were overtreated, it's no consolation that someone was saved. And if you've been through the whole process, then in your head you are the one they saved. So it will always be "overdiagnosed" and "overtreated".

The flip side of this is : prostate cancer is a really fast mover and few who get it survive very long .

It's also a horrible way to die .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

It is and it isn’t. Almost all cases of prostate cancer are indolent...so slow moving that you will die of something else long before PC kills you. But every now and then, exactly the opposite: it moves quickly and kills by gnawing away at your bones. It’s a painful, lingering death. There are telltales for faster cancers: rapid PSA rise, high Gleason score, evidence that it has moved beyond the prostate. The more of these you have, the more likely it’s a runner.

My initial indications at 58 where I could have prostate cancer. Most cases will get twenty years in with it. Where I believe small cell cancer in the bladder is usually terminal fast.


Large cell in the bladder as was my case. A full life otherwise is possible. Anyways Uroligists are busy people. A solid indication of problems in the urinary tract. By many.

Another spin: If I had waited until 60 to have my PSA testing started instead of starting at 50 there would not have been a indicated sudden rise in PSA-just normal for my age. That's part of the over diagnosis. Holding your breath every year waiting for the results causes a lot of anxiety.

__________________
Tony H
W111 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Manual transmission

Past cars:
Porsche 914 2.0
'64 Jaguar XKE Roadster
'57 Oval Window VW
'71 Toyota Hilux Pickup Truck-Dad bought new
'73 Toyota Celica GT

I was told at 58 that I had a prostate of a young man. I instantly thought this is not going to do me a lot of good all too soon. I was not thinking about the ease of urination.

58 is a young man!

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I wish I was still only 58......

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

I do as well but it is what it is. I feel fortunate to be in the condition I am still in at 77. Yet it could still change tomorrow I fully realize. No doubt about it though. The overall family now sees me as the old guy.

I do feel I have a lot to be thankful for. I have not become some old opinionated, cantankerous, argumentative individual with age. Yet there is tomorrow I suppose. Time now flies very fast. Fifty eight is approaching 20 years ago in my case.

Fifty eight was also a milestone in my life when the surgeon told me. If I find your cancer is the aggressive type when I operate tomorrow. You will probably have less than three months remaining to get things taken care of.

I got a call from the daughter of a good friend of mine that is currently dying of pancreatic cancer. Was it okay to bring dad by for lunch this week? He is not suffering yet as they have installed tubes to get the bile into the stomach.

I said certainly. I was thinking of making up some lobster thermador. If he likes it and can eat it I will. The wife just does not like lobster.

His daughter had told me some time ago that one of his kids drained his bank account. His only complaint was if we went on another adventure trip together he would not have any money.

We had some pretty interesting trips when recovering cars purchased on early e bay deals and trips down to Alabama. If I had known earlier that he enjoyed them that much I would have arranged yet another one.

He lost a leg in stopping stampeding horses at a show from going right over a group of children. He was just a spectator at the show. He was more than smart enough to realize the risk of death to himself. He does pretty well on the artificial leg. Somehow he got them turned enough but they took him through a board fence with them.. He usually owned horses and was good with them.

The Motocycle crashes were what screwed the pooch for me ~

I'm plenty willing and have low blood pressure etc. but am no longer very flexible and once again last night the pain kept me up most of it .

I worked on my 240D and 300CD yesterday until it got dark, I'm pleased I got things done but have so much to do yet....

I also found an affordable Motocycle I really like, know and have experience riding.... .

I dunno if I should go buy it or hang up my spurs .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better