My partner, who is 47, had a PSA of 7, free PSA of 12%. This was conducted by his regular physician who has now refered to Urologist.

He had to wait two weeks for a consult with a urologist, and they can't tell him when a biopsy might be scheduled. This seems to be moving very very slow, and of course he is quite anxious.

How long is a reasonable wait after consult with urologist to get a biopsy schedule?

Thanks for any input.

You have time. And, a biopsy is not a foregone conclusion. A good urologist will eliminate the possibility of infection or other problem before proceeding to biopsy. A biopsy is much riskier if you have an active infection.

If it takes a few months to logically diagnose the problem, that is OK. Fortunately, prostate cancer generally does not progress rapidly.

I had several PSA's performed since the DRE was negative and I was 49. Doc had hope my PSA was just high for other reasons - it was about 10.

After the last PSA, I had a biopsy within a week in his office. There were several of us lined up - I was first. Glad of that because if I had seen myself afterwards, I probably would have left. What an experience -

Would you mind explaining how this type of biopsy is performed? Is anything used to help with the discomfort? Most people are aphrehensive about medical tests and in some cases completely in the dark about what to expect.

Would you mind explaining how this type of biopsy is performed? Is anything used to help with the discomfort? Most people are aphrehensive about medical tests and in some cases completely in the dark about what to expect.

Most of the time, a transrectal ultrasound is used to guide the needle biposy mechanism into place. Yes--transrectal. In my husband's case, he had to take an antiobiotic starting the day before (continued on the day of surgery and for a day afterwards) and a Fleet's enema on that morning. He also had to take a Valium that morning. This was prescribed by the urologist because of the resistance he felt while doing the Digital Rectal Examination to relax my husband for the biopsy. My hubbie tolerated the biopsy quite well, physically. The harder part was waiting for the results--which in our case were not so good, since he ended up with a radical prostatectomy (cancer) about 2 1/2 moths later. All in all, however, I'm glad to have him alive and the cancer OUT! There was a lot more to go through for the surgery, but you don't need to cross that bridge unless you have less than desirable results from the biopsy. It is a slow growing cancer, so be sure to check out all your options.

My doctor didn't think I'd need any pain drugs for the biopsy, and I wanted to drive myself home afterward. Yeah, it was uncomfortable, and there was this sense of anticipation right before each core was taken, but I fully understood that this was the only definitive way to find out if I had cancer. So, I just put up with it, the same way you would if you had to have dental work or submit to some other uncomfortable medical procedure. I did a lot of deep breathing and tried not to resist.

I sure had a good doctor and nurse doing the biopsy. They talked me through it and stayed in touch with me the whole way. I did my part and they did theirs, I guess.