It’s that time again for another follow-up PSA blood test. Here’s me in the car, outside the lab, preparing for my fifth test since surgery 21 months ago. I was hoping to take a picture inside — however, no photos are allowed.
Since the prostate is the only organ that produces PSA, any rise without a prostate suggests that there are still prostate cancer cells in the body that escaped and survived treatment. Over time, these cells can multiply, spread, and produce enough PSA to become detectable. I may need to consider secondary treatment if my PSA rises to 0.2 ng/ml or above.
Therefore, it’s always an anxious time waiting for results. I’m fortunate to use a lab that posts the results online. Less than seven hours after taking a vial of my blood, the results are in! <0.008 ng/ml, or UNDETECTABLE, my new favourite word!
Next test is in six months.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my prostate cancer diagnosis and lessons learned. You can listen to all my medical posts under Gogs’ Medical Testing.
If you’re newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and live in Canada 
please request a free Reef Knot Kit from Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada. Each kit contains a copy of my book, . For more details, please read the Announcement in my local paper.
