General Discussion

Aristus

(71,927 posts)

34. I order a PSA for every fifty+ year-old male coming in for an annual physical exam.

Mon May 19, 2025, 02:16 PM

May 2025

PSA is not the most reliable test in the world. But one can reduce the risk of a false positive by drawing the patient's blood for the test before the exam, including the digital rectal exam. If one palpates the prostate gland, and then draws blood for the test, it can results in a false positive. I don't know where the idea came from that medical providers enjoy it when their patients suffer. It seems like tarring with an unnecessarily large brush.

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I am just learning that it's uncommon for men 70+ to get PSA tests... why?? [View all] themaguffin May 2025 OP

Simple really Johnny2X2X May 2025 #1

It is faulty reasoning which is using outdated recommendations. PSA is simply a data point, and if it JohnSJ May 2025 #11

A high PSA without prostate cancer is not a false positive for cancer NoRethugFriends May 2025 #12

What is your reasoning? Semantics? Bernardo de La Paz May 2025 #15

My thinking is that I clearly didn't wind up finishing the post. My bad. I corrected it. NoRethugFriends May 2025 #19

the husband of a dear friend died of dementia back last July. I was shocked. I had no idea one could die of dementia but CTyankee May 2025 #23

In Alzheimer's, the brain deteriorates to the point it cannot handle basic bodily functions, Midnight Writer May 2025 #24

I think you are correct Bluetus May 2025 #31

Because the common "wisdom" is that if you're 70 or older, the relief is a hard thing on an older fellow ... marble falls May 2025 #2

No idea. J_William_Ryan May 2025 #3

BPH can effect PSA values, but based on prostate size, density, PSA velocity, etc. They can reasonably JohnSJ May 2025 #14

I completely agree about the annual PSA Bluetus May 2025 #32

While I am not necessarily in agreement, mind you: hlthe2b May 2025 #4

Those recommendations in regard to PSAs are outdated. PSAs are simply a data point which indicates JohnSJ May 2025 #17

These are the official recommendations. While I clearly stated I as a professional do not necessarily agree hlthe2b May 2025 #20

Yes, I agree it does need to be individualized, but the fact that the decision by too many physicians JohnSJ May 2025 #29

Thanks for this very helpful post karynnj May 2025 #25

Yes. He does. It was included in an earlier medical report released publicly. hlthe2b May 2025 #27

I am not over 70 yet but I demand a PSA test at every yearly exam. You can choose to not treat if it is non-aggressive. dutch777 May 2025 #5

I'm a truck driver, so naturally I go for a physical every year at the VA including a PSA test, MarineCombatEngineer May 2025 #6

My last PSA was 7.9. Supposedly, normal is 4.0 I am told. My doctor says the 7.9 is my normal. OLDMDDEM May 2025 #7

Hubby was just told his normal seems to be 6.4 woodsprite May 2025 #26

Everyone is different. Our son is worried because his is over the 4.0 norm. My norm being in the OLDMDDEM May 2025 #28

Over treatment is no joke Luvcatz14 May 2025 #8

I read that they say do the test between 50 and 69. n/t malaise May 2025 #9

Hmmmm Littlered May 2025 #10

Here's the American Cancer Society recommendation surfered May 2025 #13

Thanks malaise May 2025 #21

Hope you don't have a problem 🙏 surfered May 2025 #33

No problem malaise May 2025 #39

My experience: surfered May 2025 #16

The PSA test does not reveal anything really. dugog55 May 2025 #18

I'm missing... Mike Nelson May 2025 #22

Is this the test obnoxiousdrunk May 2025 #30

See my reply below. Aristus May 2025 #35

I order a PSA for every fifty+ year-old male coming in for an annual physical exam. Aristus May 2025 #34

Don't think it's providers but HCIs that don't mind if people suffer uponit7771 May 2025 #36

Health insurance companies for sure, at least. Aristus May 2025 #37

There no doubt needs to be public options for HC like USPS which Americans like cause they do a decent job when uponit7771 May 2025 #40

It depends on your doctors Meowmee May 2025 #38