Jump in psa.
Age is 70 years, my psa numbers jumped Dec 2021, retested 1/20/22 and then again 3/15/22. I was getting psa testing for last 10 years. Before my numbers were 1.00 1.80 range. Dec 2021 it came in at 3.27, Jan/20/22 at 3.50 and largest jump was 5.80 March 15. Schedule to see my urologist this week. Is it standard procedure to do a MRI first before going to the biopsy?
Another dumb question (first the background) - Over the pass 6 months I have been doing intense training for half marathons and doing them. I did a 10k and half marathon the following day in first weekend in Nov. (train for it before) and then started training for my next races third week of Nov. I did take one week off before my Dec 2021 psa test. Ramp back up after that test and again stop training one week before the jan 20 test. Finally after that test ramp for the race that was Feb27-28. Did a 10k / then 1/2 marathon the following day. Pretty much push myself for the races. The final psa test was done 2 weeks after that. Dumb question - Would my intense running/exercise be the cause for the jump of PSA?
Hi
. Exercise can increase PSA levels, but it is questionable whether it could account for the level of increase you are seeing. This is particularly true since you took a break from the exercise prior to the tests. This article looks at research on the PSA increase from exercise and you will note that the increases are smaller than you have experienced: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21246346/. Concerning the MRI before the biopsy, I'll cite this page from the American Urological Association which states "There is now sufficient data to support the use of prostate MRI in all men before their initial prostate biopsy when the MRI is of sufficient quality:" https://www.halodx.com/blog/the-american-urological-association-prostate-mri-before-biopsy#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThere%20is%20now%20sufficient%20data,MRI%20is%20of%20sufficient%20quality.%22. Hope this information is helpful as you head into your appointment. Please feel free, if you like, to keep us posted on how you are doing. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team) 
As Richard noted there can be a slight increase in PSA as a result of some forms of exercise such as bike riding etc. . For everyones safety no one here offers medical advice. That said based on personal experience the velocity might indicated more is going on.
The MRI will offer your urologist additional insight prior to a biopsy. My MRI was done 2 weeks after the biopsy. The PSA at the time was 2.3. The MRI scan suggested that the cancer was contained and had not spread allowing me to choose either surgery or radiation for treatment.
A PSA score is not a cancer test ratherit is simply measuring the amount of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is in your blood. A large prostate for example will generate a higher score (more antigen) than a smaller gland. The true test for cancer will be the biopsy.
One suggestion .... Ask in advance if you will be given a form of novocaine for the biopsy test - take my word for it --- it makes it MUCH easier. Good luck and keep us posted. Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
