PSA reading 30. Is there any possibility this isn't very bad news?

[Piccly]

Just that really.

I know PSA can give false positives and that some elevated results don't point to cancer, but 30 is very high?

Have you had a consultation with your doctor? I think it's high and would be seeking another blood test and a physical exam and insisting on scans.

I've just looked at my records the range for PSA is 0 - 6.5 and my reading is 1.4. So I would urge you to contact your GP.

It definitely needs to be followed up with a doctor and probably being referred for scans of the prostate and to a specialist.

Early detection is so important. A PSA of 30 sounds like early detection so that should give the best chance of treatment success and a good outcome.

Yes it’s very high and needs checking.

Have you any other symptoms such as urinary retention, constant urge to pass urine or blood in urine?

Yes, it's high. I presume you've seen your GP.

It's my friend's DH. I'm searching for something reassuring to say.

It's high but might not be anything. My friends DH was over 1000 and the oncologist told her not to assume it's cancer as it wasn't definite and that some people have naturally high PSA levels. Also having sex, riding a bike, vigorous exercise and age can increase the levels.

I’m not sure you can say any reassuring and as someone who’s parents have both had cancer (my mum died and my dads is prostate) it really is t helpful when people try and be reassuring.

If it’s cancer you need your friends to recognise it’s that and what that entails. If your having tests for cancer it really doesn’t help and feels like people are trying to avoid the reality your facing IME.

I’ve also lost 3 friends to cancer this year (all died within months of diagnosis of stomach cancers) - we are all in our 40’s.

Personally I find it better if people invite me for a coffee and just listen. Or if I dont want to talk about it chat shot about TV or the weather or something.

But in a positive note my dad was diagnosed 2019. 6 months chemo (not fun during Covid!) and he went into remission.

Now takes a combination of cancer drugs and hormone injections. Is 76, at the gym 5/6 days a week, PSA lower than average for his age and holidays frequently.

That is reassuring in itself. However I’m also fully aware of the reality that when the drugs stop working …… and people jog regaining those fears or pretending that fact doesn’t exist make me feel worse not better!

Best way forward? Ask your friend what she needs and wants and be there to listen.

My own DH died from (a different) cancer, but atm we don't know that this is cancer.

It doesn't have to be cancer. It could be a benign enlarged prostate or caused by infection. With a PSA higher than 10, half of men will actually have prostate cancer on biopsy, and half won't.

He'll be on the 2 week wait now and after that things happen quite quickly. If it is cancer, it could be extremely treatable. Curable. There are a lot of treatment options depending on the staging. I find knowledge helpful. The prostatecanceruk website is excellent for information and their forum is very supportive. My advice to support your friend is just to listen and not to deny reality. Her husband was tested, he did his job perfectly. Now you have to let the medics do their job.

prostatecanceruk.org/?utm_source=microsoft&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mi---ppc---microsoft---brand-campaign-2025&utm_content=paid-link&utm_term=brand-campaign&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=d9a1f0138c2b175b70189a67caf21e55

and that’s the thing.

i found it hard to hear people say “it might not be cancer” repeatedly when the reality was it could have been. It felt dismissive.

But we are all different.

My advice now based on my own experiences (and my own recent cancer scare) is just to ask what people want and listen.

My friend that died yesterday from her cancer kept saying “the Dr said I do t have X symptoms so I’m positive”. I just said “I’m glad you’re remaining positive”.

As you are aware cancer is an absolute bastard and everyone’s way of dealing with it is different.

some people want to hear “my neighbours brother has high PSA and it wasn’t cancer” some don’t because then if it is cancer you start to feel the unfairness about why there’s wasn’t and yours is.

Im sorry about your DH. It really is a cruel disease.

Edited as I updated the wrong thread