Watch Your Butt Health too!

Anytime you happen to go in for a physical, specify that you would like a PSA test completed.

More so for old and wise folk, but it’s not a bad idea at least every other year for younger folks too.

This test is an indication of prostrate cancer and since it’s a slow growing cancer, if caught early will just be a PIA for a short time compared to a killer if not detected early enough.

My uncle told me about this 10-15 years ago and I’ve requested it ever since. (sometimes insurance won’t pay for it but it’s $45. well spend in my book). His cancer was caught early.

My PSA went from a 1.4 to a 4.7 when I was in for my CG license exam. Doc said we better get you to see a specialist and as of last week confirmed cancer. Early stages so I’ll have a better chance of winning the PowerBall that this cancer stopping me from fishing.

Please no get well soon posts. I’m good.

However I would like to know your age and how many years it’s been since you’ve seen your doctor for a physical.

If you are in your 50’s remember those three letters! PSA!!

47, almost 3 years…

…and as of last week confirmed cancer.

Not good. Good luck, BK!

Thank God for CG exams.Glad it was caught early. I just renewed my Captains license as well; my last physical was my last renewal 5 years ago….not smart, but all is AOK. So regular testing is the way to go. Have three buddies that caught it early, all in their early 60’s, and treatments were successful. Only thing is, read somewhere that catfish secretions can counter the meds they use in treatment, so you might have to resort to WE fishing.

Hope all turns out okay for BK. Caught early prostrate cancer is very treatable.

Good luck Bk

good luck bud. I have been getting physicals every year for the last15-20 years. I 100% agree. get those tests done. especially also a colonoscopy!!!!! the wores part of them is not eating for 24 hours and of course the infamous juice!

I do twice a year PSA tests and have had to have one prostate biopsy based on a false positive PSA test. Most painful thing I’ve ever experienced in life. If I ever have a high PSA score again, it will be a tough decision. I feel your pain BK. Prayers sent.

Well Brain ol’ buddy I’m 62 and I’m going to have to disagree with this a little bit..
Newer studies have shown that the PSA test is not as effective as once thought…It turns out that some unrelated things can affect the numbers.
Case in point….My dad has had high PSA levels and BRH (peeing troubles) since he was 62 leading to numerous biopsy’s(not a fun procedure) with no significant cancer being found.
He just turned 90 doing nothing….
While I have had 1 PSA test(low),I don’t plan on another one for awhile, I talked quite a bit with my Dr about this and we decided to do a digital(physical) test once a year and if I continue to have no symptoms of BPH we will just do that for now…This is an alternative…
1 in 7 men get this cancer and only 1 in 38 will die because of it so the force is with you
Always a good idea to listen to your body though…

Hey!!!….How did my post get posted under Ralph’s name???:???:

Well Brain ol’ buddy I’m 62 and I’m going to have to disagree with this a little bit..
Newer studies have shown that the PSA test is not as effective as once thought…It turns out that some unrelated things can affect the numbers.
Case in point….My dad has had high PSA levels and BRH (peeing troubles) since he was 62 leading to numerous biopsy’s(not a fun procedure) with no significant cancer being found.
He just turned 90 doing nothing….
While I have had 1 PSA test(low),I don’t plan on another one for awhile, I talked quite a bit with my Dr about this and we decided to do a digital(physical) test once a year and if I continue to have no symptoms of BPH we will just do that for now…This is an alternative…
1 in 7 men get this cancer and only 1 in 38 will die because of it so the force is with you
Always a good idea to listen to your body though…
<img src=”//cdn.in-depthoutdoors.com/wp-content/smilies/icon_wave.gif” class=”wp-

I’m with Ralph and Mudshark on this one. A lot of Dr’s these days ( Including mine ) do not recommend PSA test these days. The main reason is that they get way to many False High readings. With high readings doctors are almost forced to run a lot of expensive, painful, and possibly dangerous test. Some reports show that more people are likely to die from the additional test ( mostly from infections ) than are likely to Die from what the test was intended to find. The medical profession is a little divided on the issue but the current trend seems to be tipped against the PSA test these days.

On a side note. I’m glad they caught it early and the outcome looks good for you.

Get well soon, BK!

-J.

Mudshark wrote:

Hey!!!….How did my post get posted under Ralph’s name???:???:

Yes, something is wonky here!

Will be glad to be off this software. I really can’t say for sure why a post would get the user ID wires crossed.

Brian – I will request the PSA next time I’m in. I haven’t ever had one done and it is probably past due for me for sure. As far as false positives go I’d rather have that and then get a second opinion than not have any warning at all.

I’m glad they caught it early for you!

1 out of 38 die from prostate cancer. Sucks to be number 38.

In support of fishthumpers point;
I had a high PSA # and they performed a biopsy of the prostate. That procedure was a unique experience getting shot up the butt with a spring loaded sample extraction device about a dozen times. Then, quite a thrill to pee lumps of blood while the nurse tells you that is a good thing. Biopsy results were negative. Went back in 3 months, PSA # was low again. Urologist said the PSA # will not be acted on in the future unless there are two high numbers in a row. But the most fun of all was having a cystoscopy performed. If ever a next time I will bring a leather strap to bite down on.

Ok so it says viewing 1 through 16 posts and I only see 9. Time to dig into the database data…

Hi BK. Good luck. My dad was diagnosed about 4 yrs ago now by PSA test also. Then the Biopsy. He had his whole prostate removed so he wouldn’t have to worry later. He is doing great and has been clear of cancer so far. They did his removal with the Di Vinci machine and recovery was very quick. If you’d want a second dr referral I could get his for you also. Good luck with what you decide and how you choose to proceed. Either way catching it early will like this definitely will help you beat it. You’ll be a ok!

I had a PSA test in 2014 that came back with a 4.5,so I had a biopsy test done that confirmed a low Grade cancer. I chose active survielence as a treatment option,after two years of biopsy testing the cancer started to spread within my prostate.
As I sit here today in recovery from surgery,I looked back at this post and can’t help but wonder why anyone would dismiss having a positive test of your PSA level. Yes having a biopsy test is not the most comfortable thing to have done, I found it to be quite humiliating,even more so talking about.The other options of dismissing it all together would have proved to be a Fatal decision for myself.Each and everyone of us has their own guide line and beliefs that are difficult to change,denial is always the easiest and quickest decision, believe me I spent two years hoping that this would not happen.
My sincere hope is that anyone who reads this takes this as a serious matter. Don’t dismiss it,if a simple biopsy test turns negative for you all the better,if it comes back positive the treatment could save your life.
Take care of yourselves.

Nothing humiliating about your health Jeff. Hope you have a fast, strong and full recovery.

BK, I hope your other tests come back negative. After all, we have some bonefishing to do.

Thanks Jeff (and all for that matter),

Bone cancer is not a pleasant way to go.

As I mentioned to someone else the other day, I’m not really afraid of death. It’s the dying that scares me.

As an FYI I’m having a DNA test completed. They will compare my cancer cells with others to see if it falls into the aggressive or non aggressive forms. It will aid in decisions.

Most men over 90 years old have prostate cancer a study showed even though they actually died from other causes and never knew they had it.

I have a physical once a year. now I have to have blood work done twice a year. apparently its a new protocol for people with blood sugar issues. and yes I did the colonoscopy……………they said I was a perfect a$$hole!!!!!!!

I to recommend listening to your body…………after some harsh words from my kids its probably saved my life back in 2011. thinking I was out of shape and plain fat I ended up with 4 BY HEART BYPASS!

I had myself a little scare along these lines just a month ago. It happens to younger folks as well. Luckily, after a multitude of different tests, it was all well. I’ll keep watching though. A good eye opener

Godspeed BK – Early detection is key.

Nothings more important than being here

I’m 50 and I get a physical every year. I take my truck in for maintenance at last once a year so at the very least we should do the same for ourselves.

I am 55 and have a physical 1 per year. I strongly suggest the PSA test as well as a colonoscopy. Had a friend die of colon cancer at the age of 52, not a pretty way to go.

Have a good friend that I was bugging for several years to have a colonoscopy. Finally he went in to have it done and they found cancer but at a very very early stage. I am very glad I was a nag to him. He is still here to be my fishing buddy!

I like the truck maintenance from Steve-o

Get well you old goat…last physical was less than 3 months ago.

jeff_huberty wrote:

I had a PSA test in 2014 that came back with a 4.5,so I had a biopsy test done that confirmed a low Grade cancer. I chose active survielence as a treatment option,after two years of biopsy testing the cancer started to spread within my prostate.
As I sit here today in recovery from surgery,I looked back at this post and can’t help but wonder why anyone would dismiss having a positive test of your PSA level. Yes having a biopsy test is not the most comfortable thing to have done, I found it to be quite humiliating,even more so talking about.The other options of dismissing it all together would have proved to be a Fatal decision for myself

I spent the better part of three days at the Mayo in Rochester last week for my “annual biopsy” and second opinion of my low grade Gleason 6 prostate cancer.

Got the call today that it’s now a Gleason 7 and “active surveillance” is now not recommended since the cancer cells are moving toward the nerves in the prostate. The next step would be for the cancer to effect the lymph nodes. (this is not good I’m told)

Say what you want about the PSA testing. I used it as one of the tools and wouldn’t make a decision based solely from a psa test.

Again I’m not looking for sympathy, just want others to know that a simply psa test can give them a heads up to a problem that should be caught early.

As with a good Captain, one should never navigate using one form of navigation, I would never make a major decision from a psa test alone.

Brian,

My dad had a similar situation. He opted for the cryosurgery. It went great, the cancer is gone and no side effects from the more invasive surgeries. Hopefully your doc’s can get this taken care of soon so you don’t miss any trips come open water 2017.

BTW no picks of you shooting snakes with Depends on.

GOOD LUCK!

blackbay wrote:

BTW no picks of you shooting snakes with Depends on.

Did you have to take that off the table already!