I'm posting this here because I think it is something that could eventually have a real impact on ones hobby and would be seen by the most people who can elicit, I'm hoping, a serious response.

Yes, I got the news yesterday that my PSA (Prostatic Specific AG) count is 18.3 and it shouldn't be more then 4. I have an appointment with a Urologist this afternoon. I'm kind'a scared, its what did my Dad in...although it took about 20 yrs, LOL.

My best friend is a Doc and pretty much told me what to expect, but I'd like to here from anybody else who's had a scare like this. I'll be 59 next month and have no other common symptoms of Prostate problems.

Even if it turns out to be something "easily fixed." by the time I meet my deductible; there goes a lot of hobby money LOL.

hope this helps, to allay your fears...

A PSA of 18 seems awfully high, so prepare yourself to be strong and also to be pleasantly surprised if it's not cancer.  Some years ago, feeling great, I tested about 4.5, and later tests showed cancer close to the wall.  Two docs urged treatment to keep it from metastasizing. After some agonizing, I chose radiation and seed implantation, and it saved my life.  Please feel free to PM me or continue on this thread -- the more we know about what others have gone through the better we can deal with whatever the problem is.  Good luck!

A PSA of 18 seems plenty high. My Dad was diagnosed
with prostrate cancer and he had a PSA of 6. His Doctors decided to watch and wait. He was on hormonal tablets for quite awhile and when his PSA started to increase again he went in for radiation treatment. He was 82yrs old at the time and went through it quite well. Knock on wood, his cancer is in remission. It all depends on how aggressive the tumor is. Prostate cancers with high Gleason scores are very aggressive and spread very rapidly.

Then again you might only have an enlarged prostate.

First of all, thank you everyone who replyed or sent me a PM.

I went to the Urologist a few hours after posting. He asked me a lot of questions and answered all mine. He copped a quick feel and then scheduled a biopsy. Won't know anymore till then but he was blunt and said due to the PSA, my family history and what he could feel it is probably cancer but before I could jump out the window he also said it wouldn't be that unusual if it turned out benign.

I'll try and keep you posted. I know this is just as big a worry for us guys as breast cancer is for the ladies.