Monitoring Treatment Success and/or Predicting Recurrence - A Lifelong Journey

Your doctor should monitor your PSA levels periodically, even if you had a zero (0.0 ng/mL) PSA after treatment.  Depending on how long ago you were diagnosed, you may need a PSA blood test every few months or years.  PSA doubling time -- the time it takes for your PSA level to double -- can help predict how aggressive cancer is and detect a biochemical recurrence.  The faster the PSA level doubles, the more aggressive the cancer.  Circulating Tumor Cells and Testosterone Levels can also be used to track disease.  Imaging and some genetic tests can also be helpful.

Make sure you have a Survivorship Care Plan and consider adopting strategies for integrative care to improve and enhance your overall quality of life - and joining the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina support network!

For more information, visit the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF).