The "50 or over? What are you waiting for?" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just got finished at the urologist. About 20 years ago during a routine physical at my family physician, the doctor thought he felt a small lump on my prostate. He had ordered a blood test ahead of time and a PSA test was one of the tests done with the blood samples. PSA is a substance made by your prostate and too much PSA in your blood could mean there is something wrong with your prostate. A number from 0-4 is recommended and I had a number below 4, but he wanted me to see a urologist. Had to make an appointment with Dr. Paul Sieber. Dr. Sieber came to Lancaster after practicing at Hershey Medical Center and is the author of over 15 medical publications. He is in charge of clinical studies at Urological Associates of Lancaster. After he examined me and also felt the small lump, I was scheduled for a biopsy. During the biopsy I had to lay on my side and the doctor inserted a probe which had a needle attached to it into my rectum. The probe was connected to a monitor and the doctor could see where my prostate was located. He inserted the needle through my rectum into the prostate and took several tissue samples for lab examination to see if cancer was present. I waited and waited for the results. And waited some more. Couldn't eat for almost a week. Great way to lose weight. And then the call! I was fine and the doctor would like to see me in a year. What a relief and I took to eating again. Well, I have been going every year and sometimes more than once a year to Dr. Seiber. My PSA is very erratic. Today it was 3.72 which is the lowest it has been in years. I have had one other biopsy and a few ultrasounds which are used to see if your prostate is a normal size. In 2006 my PSA was 2.6 which was great, but the following year it was 65.00. You read that right! 65.00!! He didn't seem alarmed, but I was scared to death. He prescribed an antibiotic and told me I had to return in a month for another test and exam. When I did it was 6.50. He explained that if it was truly 65.00, there wasn't anything he could do at that point to save me so he didn't want to scare me by over-reacting. He said he knew it was an infection and he was right. Lucky for me!! The following few exams were readings of 4.4, 4.0, 5.6, and 5.6. After the second 5.6 in a row he put me on Avodart to help reduce the size of my prostate. He is always concerned with the PSA numbers , but knows my history after all these years and treats me accordingly. The digital exam is always part of the procedure. He is considered one of the best urologists on the east coast of the US and I thoroughly trust him. Today he looked happy as he entered. Always a good sign. He examined my International Prostate Symptom Score sheet first and gave me the news. The I-PSS is a sheet of paper you fill out every visit. Asks about urgency, straining, frequency, etc. You must rate yourself from 0 to 5 in 7 categories. He adds the numbers and compares them against my numbers from the past. Today he gave me my PSA and said he would see me in a year. Great news!! For my male readers who are close to 50 years old and have never had a PSA blood test done, what are you waiting for? Could save your life. Prostate cancer is treatable if caught early. 1 out of every 6 men in the USA will develop prostate cancer. Second leading cancer next to skin cancer in men. If diagnosed early, the survival rate is nearly 100%. Pretty good odds, so you have no excuses. Dr. Sieber is waiting for you!! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - top pix is Dr. Sieber and bottom is him demonstrating the laser he uses for Vaporization of the Prostrate procedures. First class guy!