PSA of 6 and abnormal DRE…worried

User

Posted 09 Jan 2025 at 08:36

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice as really worried!

Have had some problems with urination for 7/8 years now. Can be up 2/3 times per night but not every night. Can urgently need (mainly in the morning when I get to work) but again not every day. No problems with flow rate. No pain or burning. Went to doctor a couple of times over the years and got two different tablets for relaxing the muscle but didn’t make any difference. As it wasn’t really impacting my life I just left it at that.

I went to the doctor 6 weeks ago and was told I had a UTI. It was a new doctor so I mentioned the above symptoms and that they were ongoing. He told me to come back in 6 weeks to check my prostate.

I had the DRE on Monday and, whilst certainly not long, it took a bit longer than what he had initially said it would. When finished he said that my prostate was enlarged and that a bit felt abnormal. I think he said something about being able to feel each side or quadrant but I’ll be honest that my mind was racing at this point and I didn’t fully take it in. He also did use the terms “I think it will be ok” and “unlikely” when I asked if it meant cancer. But appreciate he can’t say for definite either way.

I was asked to go downstairs and do a blood test and provide a urine sample.

The doctor phoned me on Tuesday night and told me my PSA was 6. As I’m 42 he has referred me to urologist for an MRI.

Im trying not to worry but keep thinking the worst. I would be worried about the high PSA anyway but with the addition of the abnormal DRE I’m really stressed. I’ve read through a few of the posts on the site and can’t find any that mention high PSA and abnormal DRE.

No family history of cancer and I’m generally healthy. I did do a HIIT workout on the morning of the PSA as didn’t realise you weren’t supposed to exercise.

If anybody has any experience or advice on similar situation it would be really helpful. I’m really worried!

many thanks

Bryan

User

Posted 09 Jan 2025 at 09:22

Hi Bryan.

Welcome to the forum.

Try not to worry, mate. Your elevated PSA can be caused by other non cancerous prostate conditions. The MRI will shed more light on the situation.

User

Posted 09 Jan 2025 at 10:02

Hi Adrian,

Thanks very much for your quick reply.

I think what is making me even more worried is the abnormal DRE in addition to the elevated PSA. I’m thinking that with both it’s increasing the chances of it being cancer. Or could that still be non cancerous?

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

Bryan

User

Posted 09 Jan 2025 at 10:33

Hi again

DREs are not very accurate, an enlarged prostate can cause elevated PSA, any other abnormalities lumps, bumps and hard bits, doesn't mean you've got prostate cancer. It just means that it's worthy of further investigation. The MRI will be more accurate.

I know it's not easy, mate, but try not to worry. Just take one step at a time and don't think ahead of yourself.

Please keep us updated. We'll do our best to support you. 👍

User

Posted 09 Jan 2025 at 10:45

Thanks Adrian, I really appreciate your help and support.

Bryan

User

Posted 12 Jan 2025 at 11:55

Hi Bry09

Were the PSA bloods taken after your DRE? If so that will raise it. If your prostate is enlarged in a benign way that could also raise it. Perhaps not long enough had passed since you'd had a UTI either. Plus you had done a work out on the morning of it. Plus your PSA base line might be higher for your age to start with. But. The GP is going the right thing to refer to you a Urologist for an MRI and so you are in good hands.

User

Posted 12 Jan 2025 at 13:14

Hi,

Thanks very much for the reply. I really appreciate it. Still worrying unfortunately! Hope you are well.

yes, the bloods were taken no more than 20mins after the DRE. The DRE lasted longer than he had suggested it would and he certainly was having a good old feel around (or so it felt).

As I’ve had these same symptoms for 7/8 years I am worried that I have maybe left it too late and it may have spread. I don’t feel any different than when I initially got the symptoms all those years ago other than the occasional ache and pain that comes with getting older.

I tried to call the doctor on Friday just to find out exactly what the abnormality was that he had felt but he was off. Just so I’m clear in my head about it.

Ironically the reason I spoke to him in the first place (being up sometimes 2/3 times per night to pee) seems to have changed. I have not been up during the night for a pee since the DRE last Monday.

Thanks again

Bryan

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