46 Yrs Old - PSA level 7.9 - Worried about symptoms - Prostate Cancer UK Online Community

User

Posted 18 Feb 2026 at 22:02

Hi there,

I am 46 years old, and received the news today that my recent PSA test result came back as 7.9. I previously had a PSA test back in November, after symptoms such as needing to pee frequently, and also some discomfort in the perineum area. The test result then was 8.4. I then had a follow-up up test about a week later and it had risen to 10!

I had a DRE the next day which I was told felt normal, but I was suspected of having prostatitis and was given a two week course of antibiotics. I was also told to have a follow-up PSA test which got a bit delayed due to Xmas etc hence where I am today.

I am now on a waiting list referral for an MRI scan and feeling more anxious as I hoped it was just prostatitis, but now thinking the worst that it could be cancer, and at age 46 could be aggressive!

So, just came on here for support I guess. I know it is a waiting game now, but just wanted to get guidance or perspectives from others in similar situations. Also, not sure about the change in PSA levels going up then down again - seems strange!

User

Posted 19 Feb 2026 at 00:16

We have had people with higher PSA than that who have had the all clear. My PSA was 28 and then fell to 23 and then 21. I did have cancer, but I suspect I also had prostatitis. Hence the falling PSA. It is a waiting game for you now, but don't worry too much.

Dave

User

Posted 19 Feb 2026 at 08:36

Hello Jon,

Sorry you find yourself here, but there are lots of helpful people and information here. Waiting for results is very stressful and worrying.

I was 48 when I had some similar PSA results to you, 10.7, then after some antibiotics, it dropped to 7.6. I was also sent for MRI. PSA can fluctuate anyway, time of day its done can make a difference too. Unfortunately the MRi did come back with an area of suspicion.

The nurse specialist who was dealing with my case admitted she was very surprised it came back with issues, the following biopsy confirmed it was cancer.

I had no symptoms and went to the doctors with another issue where they were very thorough and did lots of tests including PSA. Your symptoms do sound like they could well be prostatitis

Fingers crossed that's what it is

All the best

John

User

Posted 20 Feb 2026 at 12:38

Don’t read anything into the quick timeline other than the trust trying to meet their targets. I do know how you feel though. You think they know something you don’t.

My own timeline was letter sent from GP on Friday around midday. Phone call the next day for MRI on Monday evening at 8pm. Phone Tuesday morning with results. Biopsy the following Tuesday. Got me thinking they must know it’s urgent, but no. I was positive but 3+4 and went on active surveillance. So no rush at all.

User

Posted 21 Feb 2026 at 10:00

Hi Jon,

The waiting is the hardest part, but be positive you're in the system now to get to the bottom of the reason for the elevated PSA. In my case it all moved very quickly. Rest assured if you do need treatment (fingers crossed you don't) but if you do, you will feel much better when you know what you are dealing with.

All the best,

hawkz.

User

Posted 21 Feb 2026 at 23:47

Hi Jonny

Sorry to hear that you’re going through this process, as everybody has said the period waiting for results is the most difficult and you can’t help but think about all of the possible outcomes. Try and keep yourself busy and positive, the speed of the process doesn’t indicate any particular urgency as you should be on the 2 week pathway and so it’s good that your trust are seeing you quickly. All the best with your outcome, there lots of support on here for you and so just reach and let us know how things go.

Best wishes

Jamie

User

Posted 22 Feb 2026 at 17:57

Good luck for tomorrow. My experience is that the hospital will take the time to explain the findings of the investigations very clearly. Don't be afraid to ask any questions. Whatever your situation turns out to be the management of prostate problems these days is very impressive. Even prostate cancer itself covers a surprisingly wide range of types with differing needs for monitoring/treatments. Also there's lots of wisdom and experience on these community boards for you to tap into as your situation becomes clearer. All the best.

User

Posted 03 Mar 2026 at 23:10

Hi Jon,

It's good you're getting yourself checked and have some results to begin with. A biopsy isn't pleasant and unless very unlucky can't think you'll have any complications. Nothing compared to the possible complications down the line if you leave it. I think you already answered your own question anyway.

ATB,

hawkz

Edited by member 03 Mar 2026 at 23:12 | Reason: typo

User

Posted 04 Mar 2026 at 00:03

Good man👍👍

User

Posted 04 Mar 2026 at 08:56

Hi, Jon.

As Hawkz said, Id get a biopsy. Better safe than sorry.

I've had two prostate biopsies and found neither of them too troublesome.

Good luck, mate.👍

User

Posted 04 Mar 2026 at 11:11

Hi Jon,

In your position I'd also go for a biopsy so you really know what you're dealing with. My MRI PI-RADS was 4 so I definately needed a biopsy. The result was a small area of Gleason 3+3 (lowest grade of prostate cancer) which demands Active Surveillance rather than any immediate treatment. I found the biopsy not too bad once the local anaesthetic was in (that was rather painful but is brief) and the taking of the samples was not a problem. Just be aware that unlike MRI results, biopsy results seem to several weeks, depending on where you live - they should give you an estimate of when you'll hear back when you have the biopsy. Mine took 4 weeks to be reported and just missed the hospital weekly multi-disciplinary meeting so it was 5 weeks before I went in to get the result (Cornwall). Hard not to worry during the wait but your MRI doesn't sound too bad. All the best, John B.

User

Posted 11 Mar 2026 at 18:34

🤞

ATB mate,

hawkz

User

Posted 11 Mar 2026 at 20:58

All the best and I hope your part of the country gives you the results relatively quickly.

User

Posted 15 Mar 2026 at 22:35

Hi Jon,

It's good that you've got the biopsy over with. Blood in the urine is an expected side effect. Also disconcerting is blood in the semen and that lasts longer than the urine blood. Hopefully the hospital gave you some written information about these things. It will resolve. I didn't get any strange taste after biopsy but I was a bit shaky and probably would not have noticed anyway!

Hope you get results soon and can move forward. But be warned, the histology services tend to take a while (can be several weeks) to report. It's painstaking work to slice the samples and look at them under microscopes to check the cells for abnormality and if there is any to grade it to get a Gleason score.

All the best

John B

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User

Posted 19 Feb 2026 at 00:16

Dave

User

Posted 19 Feb 2026 at 08:04

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I have seen other posts where guys have had higher PSA readings than mine and been given the all clear. I know there's no guarantee either way so just need to try and take it one step at a time and not over-worry I guess - easier said than done though! I woke up a few times in the night with very strange dreams in between so it is obviously playing on my mind!

Cheers,

Jon

User

Posted 19 Feb 2026 at 08:36

Hello Jon,

Sorry you find yourself here, but there are lots of helpful people and information here. Waiting for results is very stressful and worrying.

The nurse specialist who was dealing with my case admitted she was very surprised it came back with issues, the following biopsy confirmed it was cancer.

I had no symptoms and went to the doctors with another issue where they were very thorough and did lots of tests including PSA. Your symptoms do sound like they could well be prostatitis

Fingers crossed that's what it is

All the best

John

User

Posted 19 Feb 2026 at 15:30

Hi John,

Thanks for your message of support. Yes, I also hope that it is just Prostatitis, but I am also mentally preparing myself for the worst! I guess it is only natural to do so.

I am a bit of a hypochondriac, so this is not the first time I have had a health scare. But I guess it is the first time it has been backed up by some reasonable evidence that something is not quite right. Just need to find out exactly what is going on.

Cheers

. Jon

User

Posted 20 Feb 2026 at 12:16

So, a quick update: I got a phonecall today about my referral - hospital appointment on Monday!

I am not sure if I should be more concerned that I got booked in quickly - did they think it was that urgent?

Or maybe I am just reading too much into that and it is down to the NHS actually being efficient for once!

Anyway, I am feeling slightly more stressed now. My partner is at work so can't talk to her about it till later. My Mum died last year and she would have been the other person I would have spoken to about it. Just kinda feel in limbo at the moment.

User

Posted 20 Feb 2026 at 12:38

Don’t read anything into the quick timeline other than the trust trying to meet their targets. I do know how you feel though. You think they know something you don’t.

User

Posted 21 Feb 2026 at 10:00

Hi Jon,

All the best,

hawkz.

User

Posted 21 Feb 2026 at 23:47

Hi Jonny

Best wishes

Jamie

User

Posted 22 Feb 2026 at 16:01

Thanks for your kind and supportive words everyone. I'm still feeling anxious about tomorrow. Just because it feels a bit more real now, and I seem to have convinced myself that the outcome is not going to be good.

I seem to have developed a load of other aches and pains which of course in my mind is convincing me that it is something serious!

But I guess I just need to wait and see.

Cheers,

Jon

User

Posted 22 Feb 2026 at 17:57

User

Posted 03 Mar 2026 at 22:33

A quick update:

So, last Monday, no MRI as I thought, just another consultation with a Dr, who did another DRE - felt nothing abnormal. He did prescribe Tamsulosin which I have just started taking. He suggested having an MRI just in case, especially with the high PSA levels.

As I was driving home, I got a call about a scan two days later on Wednesday! So, I had that done, and got a call about the results tonight. The Dr said that the results came back as borderline PI-RADS 2/3, so it is not clear if it could potentially be anything serious or not.

He suggested two options: firstly the 'wait and see' option, checking PSA levels every so often.

The other option is a biopsy to check further. I am in two minds, as I know that a biopsy can have side-effects and possibly some complications. However, I can't help feel that the risk is worth it for peace of mind - or to detect something early on. I just wondered what others thoughts are about this?

User

Posted 03 Mar 2026 at 23:10

Hi Jon,

ATB,

hawkz

Edited by member 03 Mar 2026 at 23:12 | Reason: typo

User

Posted 04 Mar 2026 at 00:02

Thanks Hawkz

Yes, I think I already convinced myself! In any case, I told the Dr to go ahead with the biopsy. I think I would rather know either way!

Cheers,

Jon

User

Posted 04 Mar 2026 at 00:03

Good man👍👍

User

Posted 04 Mar 2026 at 08:56

Hi, Jon.

As Hawkz said, Id get a biopsy. Better safe than sorry.

I've had two prostate biopsies and found neither of them too troublesome.

Good luck, mate.👍

User

Posted 04 Mar 2026 at 11:11

Hi Jon,

User

Posted 11 Mar 2026 at 18:12

Hi there,

So yesterday I got a call from the hospital about my biopsy. It is booked in for tomorrow afternoon.

I am hoping it is the transperineal method as that is my preferred option. Not sure if I will get a choice or not.

It is at a hospital with a specialist Urology department for the area, so hopefully I will be in good hands!

Anyway, I'll let you know how it all goes.

Jon

User

Posted 11 Mar 2026 at 18:34

🤞

ATB mate,

hawkz

User

Posted 11 Mar 2026 at 20:58

All the best and I hope your part of the country gives you the results relatively quickly.

User

Posted 15 Mar 2026 at 19:38

I had the biopsy on Thursday as planned. I had to wait an hour or so after the time I was given as they were running behind - just added to the nerves! It didn't help when I asked one of the nurses if she knew which type of biopsy I was having and her answer made it seem it was the transrectal type which I wanted avoid.

Thankfully, when I finally got to speak to the Dr for my pre-op consultation, he talked through it and made it clear it was the transperineal type - phew! I think I might have been confused by the nurse mentioning the ultrasound probe going up the bum!

I have to say I found the biopsy to be slightly traumatic. Not because of the pain which after the anaesthetic was mostly bearable, but just the indignity of it all. Sitting in the chair with the stirrups, my butt and everything on show! I am quite a shy and reserved guy, and I am not keen on being touched by strangers, so I just had to grin and bear it. Also the sound of the biopsy needle taking a sample which sounded like a staple gun being fired at me!

There was a friendly nurse who kept chatting to me, probably to distract me, but I just wanted to shut up and get it over with. At one point my legs started shaking, probably because I was tensing up so much!

Anyway, it is done now. Just got a few side effects of soreness, which I hope should fade soon, and blood in my urine, which I think (and hope) is normal. Apart from a bit afterwards, it didn't start until yesterday, so I don't know if there is a delayed reaction. It was a bit disconcerting at first. I'm not sure how long it usually lasts for.

Also, did anyone else get a weird taste in their mouth after the biopsy - a bit like Alka-Seltzer? Is that an after effect of the anaesthetic?

So, just got to wait for the results now! 🤞

User

Posted 15 Mar 2026 at 22:35

Hi Jon,

All the best

John B

User

Posted 16 Mar 2026 at 21:27

Thanks John,

Any idea what a normal level of blood in urine is? I didn't have much for the first day or so, but the last few days it has been a reddish colour for the first bit that comes out each time and then the rest has been pinkish.

Earlier today there were a few little red bits that came out as well - about a mm or two in diameter - blood clots maybe?

I went back to work today and it seemed a bit more noticeable. Maybe it is because I have been more active?

Just wondered when I might need to get it checked out - should it start to let less noticeable in colour over the next few days?

Or am I just worried over nothing? I feel OK otherwise.

User

Posted 16 Mar 2026 at 22:38

In my case there was blood in my urine for about 4 days. Also had red specks at times. But we're all different, and I'm not medically trained! If you're worried I'd call the urology department in the morning. Hope it all settles soon.

User

Posted 17 Mar 2026 at 09:00

Hi Jon,

I was lucky with very little blood in my urine but, as another person said, we are all different. The biopsy Risk & Side Effects list I was given by my hospital in Cornwall says "Blood in urine for up to 10 days - almost all men", "blood in semen which may last up to 6 weeks, red or brown in colour - almost all men" and then goes on to list other less common side effects. The advice I was given was to make sure to drink plenty which helps flush things through and to get in touch urgently if I could not pass urine (which can happen but is reasonably rare). If you're getting stressed by it you can always call the Urology specialist nurses for advice.

John B

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46 Yrs Old - PSA level 7.9

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