Yes, I agree with this - get the PHI test.
Also, see if you qualify for Medicaid or whatever they call it now. You might qualify based on your diagnoses alone, as catastrophic illnesses can be a qualifier. Each state has different guidelines. https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/606
I'm glad you came back to update us. You have so much going on, and maybe stress is playing a role - that wouldn't shock me at all - but when you get these procedures done, tell them you are self-pay and ask if they do a discount for self-pay. You can also call different imaging centers and get prices to compare.
Hang in there.
I realize this is an older thread from 2018, but in case new readers are looking at this, I wanted to put my 2 cents in. Yes, high PSA can be due to other issues, but in most cases once it’s above 10, it’s very likely to be cancer. In fact, many men are diagnosed w/ PCa at MUCH lower levels - around 4.0 - 4.5 is considered the danger zone & guys have been diagnosed as low as 3 or lower. A PSA in the 30s should set off alarm bells. However, it you want to avoid a prostate biopsy, which is somewhat unpleasant & carries some risks, ask your Urologist to do a PHI test - it’s a simple blood test & is WAY more specific for PCa than PSA & way cheaper than a biopsy or MRI. PHI is ‘Prostate Health Index’, it takes PSA & 2 add’l blood markers & generates a #. Under 24 means <10% chance of cancer, 55 means 50% chance. I was diagnosed w/ PCa in May 2918, had a high PSA (9.2) but didn’t want the biopsy unless I knew it was necessary. I had the PHI test, unfortunately came back at 68, which indicated I almost certainly had cancer, then did the biopsy, which confirmed it, then had surgery in July 2018. But definitely do NOT ignore high PSAs - ask for the PHI test & then proceed accordingly...
If it is small tumors and contained if so urologist and oncologist can insert radiation pellets into the are.I am about to have the procedure done.I am 63 they caught in time with a biopsy.
I'm glad to hear you are looking into assistance programs.
I wonder if they found precancerous cells when they did the biopsy? You might want to call the doctor who did that biopsy and ask. It could be helpful now.
Keep us posted. :)
Thank you Bobby for the response. This week I spoke with the hospital about the bill and they said they are sending me the forms for assistance with this. No, at this point they have done no additional testing other than the blood test which showed the high PSA level. About 8 or 9 years ago I did have a prostrate biopsy and they said they found no cancer BUT pre-cancerous symptoms. Not sure exactly what that means.
I'm so sorry that you are in this situation. It shouldn't have to be this way.
Yes, there are other conditions that can cause an elevated PSA - benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a common one. Have they done any other tests, like a digital exam (using fingers) or imaging? Here is more info on BPH - https://www.medicinenet.com/benign_prostatic_hyperplasia/article.htm
Here are some other reasons why it might be elevated - https://www.medicinenet.com/prostate_specific_antigen/article.htm#what_causes_psa_elevation_in_the_blood
Something to think about - talk to the hospital about financial assistance programs. Even with insurance, you may qualify, especially with a dependent child. Yes, prostate cancer is expensive, but many men survive it if treated early (my own father had an aggressive form of it and survived 12 years, and he was older than you when diagnosed). If it goes untreated, it could spread, which would complicate treatment.
Many pharmaceutical companies also offer assistance programs. My father used many of them.
It's scary, I know, but not impossible. Check out your resources with the hospital to start, and go from there.
Best of luck to you.