Скачать или смотреть My 'Normal' PSA Was Actually Cancer–Joe Dooley Prostate Cancer Advocate

I had a PSA test before my biopsy—standard procedure. My PSA was 4.43. The lab result came back: "4.43 - Normal." Here I am, a man already diagnosed by biopsy, by a pathologist, with prostate cancer confirmed in my prostate. And my PSA report says "Normal." Everything's normal. Your doctor sees "normal" and tells you you're fine. You look at "normal" and think everything's okay. Guess what? It might not be. Mine said normal, and I had already been diagnosed with cancer. As a prostate cancer patient, I'm warning every man to be extremely careful about what lab results say—because "normal" can be hiding cancer.

*When Lab Ranges Miss Individual Reality*

Lab reference ranges for PSA are typically 0-4.0 or 0-4.5, meaning anything under that upper limit gets marked "normal." My 4.43 fell within many labs' normal range even though cancer was growing in my prostate. Those ranges are based on population statistics—not your individual baseline, not your age, not your specific risk factors. A "normal" result tells you how you compare to the general population, not whether cancer is present.

*The Pathologist Said Cancer, The Lab Said Normal*

Think about that absurdity: a pathologist examined my biopsy tissue under a microscope, identified cancer cells, and diagnosed me with prostate cancer. Meanwhile, my PSA blood test taken around the same time came back marked "normal." Both tests were accurate—the biopsy found cancer that was actually there, and my PSA did fall within the statistical normal range. But "normal" PSA gave false reassurance that contradicted the cancer diagnosis.

*Why Doctors Trust 'Normal' Too Much*

When doctors see "normal" on a lab report, many stop investigating. The computer says normal, the patient falls within range, so everything must be fine. But if my doctor had looked at my PSA velocity—going from 2.75 to 4.2 to 4.43 over time—that rapid increase would have screamed concern regardless of the "normal" label. Context matters more than categorical labels, but "normal" makes doctors complacent.

*What 'Normal' Really Means—And Doesn't*

"Normal" means your result falls within a predefined statistical range based on population data. It does NOT mean:
You're healthy
You don't have cancer
Nothing is wrong
You shouldn't be concerned
You don't need follow-up

A normal PSA reduces your cancer probability statistically but doesn't eliminate it. Plenty of men with PSA under 4.0 have prostate cancer. Some men with PSA over 10 have benign conditions. The number is a clue, not a diagnosis—yet we treat "normal" like it's definitive.

*The False Security of Normal Results*

Here's what happens when you see "normal" on your PSA: you relax. You stop worrying. You assume your doctor would have called if something was wrong. You don't ask follow-up questions or push for additional testing. That false security means men with rising PSA—even within normal range—don't get biopsies until their numbers are extremely elevated. By then, like me, cancer may have progressed significantly.

*Why Context Matters More Than Labels*

My 4.43 PSA should have been interpreted in context:
Rapid velocity: jumped 1.68 in less than two years
Age: I was only 59, younger than typical prostate cancer patients
Trend: consistent upward movement, not stable
Family history: risk factors that elevated my baseline concern

With that context, 4.43 wasn't "normal" at all—it was alarming. But the lab computer doesn't know context. It only knows population ranges. And doctors who don't look beyond the "normal" label miss critical warning signs.

*The Biopsy That Revealed Truth*

My biopsy happened because my urologist didn't trust the "normal" label. He saw the velocity, felt something during digital rectal exam, and ordered a biopsy despite my PSA being within normal range. That clinical judgment—looking beyond lab labels to actual patient data—found my cancer. If he'd accepted "normal" at face value, how much longer would I have gone undiagnosed while cancer spread?

*This November, Question 'Normal'*

During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, I'm asking men to be skeptical of "normal" PSA results—especially if you're seeing increases over time, you have risk factors, or you're younger than typical prostate cancer age. "Normal" is a statistical category, not a cancer-free guarantee. Push for context, trend analysis, and appropriate follow-up even when results are marked normal.

*I'm not a doctor—I'm a prostate cancer patient whose "normal" PSA hid confirmed cancer. Always ask for context and trends beyond categorical lab labels when discussing results with your healthcare provider.*

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