Hi my name is John Berkers from Ottawa ON Canada.

In 1996 I had my first PSA test at 59 years of age, my reading was 3.1 I had yearly Physicals, DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) and PSA until 2003 when it had creeped up to 5.9, my Family Physician ordered an Ultra Sound, the doctor who performed this did not seem too perturbed and just said she would forward the results to our Family Doctor.

In the fall of 2004 my reading was up to 6.35, my doctor referred me to a Urological Surgeon, he in turn put me on an anti-biotic for a month to eliminate any wrong conclusion of the readings. When my PSA reading was only down to 5.3 he ordered a biopsy which was done in April 2005, 12 samples were taken and 2 proved to be positive.

He suggested we read up on the various ways to proceed from here, he was not a proponent of radical surgery at my age (68) and said radiology would be as good and less invasive so he made an appointment with a radiologist a few weeks hence.

I read up quite a lot while waiting for this appointment and thought Watchful Waiting appealed a lot more to me, when we met the radiologist he was quite prepared to let me try and said "if your readings go up too quick come back here and I'll get you in the system".

We met again with the surgeon and he was quite agreeable to try WW, first he suggested twice yearly PSA tests, the first was in Sept. '05 with a result of 5.6 the next one was in March '06 and it was 6.15, I was a little disappointed as I had gone to recommended food groups and exercise with a weight loss of 30 lbs. but the surgeon said "don't worry keep doing the same".

The Sept. '06 test came back at 5.9 and the surgeon scheduled the next test for March '07 this one was very disappointing for me (8.4) as I had lost more weight and was walking 60 km per week, but he said stay the course, the Oct. '07 was more encouraging at 6.4.

The next appointment was made for April '08 and reading was 6.0 now we only have to annually, we have dropped another 10 lbs. and are walking an average of 10 km per day.

In May '09 our PSA result was 3.1 the surgeon was quite amazed, until I told him that I was having quite a bit of problems with nightly bathroom visits and my family doctor put me on 5 mg Finasteride and a .4 mg Tansulosin to solve that problem, in May '10 the PSA reading was 2.85 for the same reason as last year.

Our weight is still in the low 170s while walking 4,00 km yearly in '09 and '10, but we will have to cut back in '11 as were experiencing knee and ankle problems due to some long ago injuries.

Our next visit with the surgeon is scheduled for July '11 and we'll be pleased to update then, we wish you all a good summer and long life.

Visited my urologist on July 10 '11 my PSA was up to 4.0 but he said not to worry keep doing what you have been doing and I will see you in a year.

'til next year, John.

At our July 2012 annual check-up our PSA reading was up a little to 4.8 but the surgeon said there was no reason to worry and to keep on doing the same and we'll see you next year.

Will update in September.

Had my yearly check-up at the urologist last week, PSA reading was up a little to 5.5 but he said "don't worry about a thing and I'll see you next year". My wife was not too sure with the original decision of W W but now after 8+ years without any problems she is quite happy to agree that it was a good choice. Hope you all have good year too.

Had my yearly visit to the urologist this week, reading is up a little to 6.4 this year that is about the same as 10 years ago, however he suggested a bone scan be done will let you know how this turns out later.

After my last checkup I had a bone scan done as requested and received the results this week, the urologist said "you're rock solid and won't die from prostate cancer" which left both Toni and I very happy, 'til next year John

Had my yearly interview with my urologist in August 2015 and was told to keep on with my watchful waiting, am now in my 11th year with few problems

AUG. 29 2016 Had my yearly visit with the urologist, my PSA is up 4 decimal points to 7.2. He said don't worry about a thing and see you next year. This makes it about 20 years that that we have got along with just watchful waiting and I am thankful for that.

1-9-2017 Had my yearly visit with my urologist my PSA is up to 9.1 but he said don't worry as I have turned 80 last spring, he is sure Prostate Cancer won't kill me but he suggested another bone scan just to make sure as it was 3 years since we had one.

I have no problems do what I like when I like.

Got the results from my bone scan done last fall and it was negative again, so we'll keep on trucking for awhile again.

Went for my yearly update Yesterday and my PSA was 10.9 but my Doctor said don't worry just keep doing what you have been doing and see me next year.

Visited my surgeon today for my yearly visit he just said come back next year, I feel well, it will be 15 years in March 2020 that I was diagnosed so we'll keep on trucking.

My PSA reading was up to 14.1,I had a biopsy in June 3 of 12 samples were positive ( 1-1% and 2- 10%) the surgeon then did a bone scan and said we'll see you in 6 months, it has been 15 years now and at 83 hope we can write again next year.

I have been to unable to do last years as our house burned down,and all my stuff was gone, I am going twice year and am due for a biopsy again in January.

We have been working with Dr. Malcolm MacRae for a year now, and we are working 3 months at a time so we shall see where this goes.

John's e-mail address is: toniandjohn65 AT bell.net (replace "AT" with "@")