With the above information, it is simply impossible to say, especially
for amateurs like us.

A low free PSA percentage (<15%) MAY be a PCa marker, but I do not
believe that it is definitive.

Were the PSA blood draws done with sufficient lapse of time since the
last stressful activity such as sex, DRE, bike riding, etc?

What is the result of a DRE?

Family history is helpful in guessing the odds, but again it is not
definitive. Neither is smoking (or not).

The whole field of PCa is riddled with uncertainty. That is an
unfortunate fact.

Rather than seeking medical advice from online newsgroups I recommend
that aj seek reliable information from:

1. The authoritative and objective website of the Prostate Cancer
Research Institute (PCRI) at: http://prostate-cancer.org/index.html, and

2. The premier PCa text _A Primer on Prostate Cancer_ subtitled "The
Empowered Patient's Guide" by medical oncologist and PCa specialist
Stephen B. Strum, MD and PCa warrior Donna Pogliano.

Online groups can sometimes provide interesting anecdotal information
(this is MY experience) and referral to sources, as well as the
occasional flamewar (which should be ignored), but that's about it.

Regards,

Steve J

"Empowerment: taking responsibility for and authority over one's own
outcomes based on education and knowledge of the consequences  and
contingencies involved in one's own decisions. This focus provides the
uplifting energy that can sustain in the face of crisis."
--Donna Pogliano, co-author of _A Primer on Prostate Cancer_, subtitled
"The Empowered Patient's Guide."

It might depend on the result of each of the PSA tests.  But, I suspect that
2.7 to 3.2 is not all the great.  You can do that with a serious bowell
movement.

On the other hand, 14% free PSA is not good.  It's not a definite, like a
10% might be, but it's not great.

You do not mention your digital rectal exam.  That is a very important
indicator when combined with PSA.

I think a biopsy might be suggested, but I don't think you should be scared
yet.

P.S.  Smoking has nothing to do with it.

PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05, 5/05, 10/05,
2/06, 6/06
PSA  .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145
Casodex added daily 07/06
Non Illegitimi Carborundum

You don't say if there was a steady increase from 2.7 to 3.2 or it just
varied in that range.  A variation of that amount wouldn't normally
suggest anything alarming, but the overall level for a man your age
might be of some concern.   Together with the 14 percent free PSA, that
might suggest to your urologist that a biopsy is merited.  If so, the
chances are that the result would be negative.

Also, keep in mind that if you do have prostate cancer, it is extremely
likely that it has been caught in time, and that you can be cured.
Also, at your age, side effects from treatment are usually not a
problem, provided you are under the care of a skilled physician.

The first is good, the second is not relevant as far as getting prostate
cancer is concerned, but it does mean you are likely to tolerate
treatment better.

It alwasy makes sense to be positive.  The chances are that you don't
have prostate cancer, and even if you do, the chances are extremely good
that it can be dealt with with minimal effects on your life.  My
expereince is that trying to prepare yourself for the worst doesn't
work.   Deal with things when they actually happen, which mostly they don't.

Hi ajb,

I'm newly diagnosed with PCa, age 47, also a non-smoker (which,
contrary to what one poster wrote in this thread, I believe is relevant
to risk factor in any form of cancer), with a PSA profile over the last
few years similar to yours. While I'm not as expert as many of the
consumers here, I can tell you that a little fear (enough to keep you
moving in the right direction) is probably in order.

As to a biopsy, I found that there's no need for excessive anxiety,
particularly if your urologist allows you a general anesthesia. No
pain, no memory. Versed is a beautiful thing.

I don't know about you, but tend to be more afraid of what I don't
know. When it comes to health, the more information you have the better
decisions you can make. My own fears, at the moment, again have to do
with the unknown - possible side effects from surgery, etc. But
whatever they are, I prefer to face those fears than a long slow death.

May the gods be with you.

Tom

Knowledge is power. Do not be afraid of knowing one way or the other.

My urologist said that there are 3 reasons to suggest a biopsy. (1) A DRE
that reflects concern. (2) An excessive PSA level. (3) A %free PSA < 20%.

My DRE was unremarkable other than BPH which I have had for the past 4
years. My PSA was running about 3.5 for the past 2 years but moved up to
over 5. But the %free was 17%. My urologist said a biopsy was thus
indicated. It was performed under total anathesia, so I had zero discomfort
from it. Bloody ejaculate lasted perhaps 3 weeks following; alarming at
first but totally normal following a biopsy. The biopsy was positive with
Gleason of 7 (3,4) in  4 cores and (4,3) in one core varying 30-50% of each
sample.

My radical prostatectomy was done on Monday. I was discharged yesterday and
am recovering nicely. Pain was vitually 0 level; I did not use the morphine
pump at all. The catheter comes out on 10/2. Seminal vessals and lymph nodes
were clean from the full path report.

Age is 63. I am looking forward to many more years of life. Its better to
get full tests and know what your condition is. Incidentally, I am on a 25mg
dose of Viagara (1/4 of a pill) which my urologist says helps in healing of
the pipe works (my words). Now if I can get that approved by my insurance
company...

Remember that everyone is an individual. Results from one person do not
correlate directly to another. That's why I think it is best for you to get
the full picture of you.