I'll jump in here to relate my own experiences in the hope of spreading some useful information:

When "Bride Judy" and I married over ten years ago, I decided that I should be a responsible adult (a new experience for me) and provide life insurance for her. Because of my age, a health exam was required. My G.P is a very long and trusted friend, as well as a damned good banjo player. Part of the exam was a "PSA" blood test.

My numbers were 22, as I recall. Normal range the doctors want is 2 to 4, I think. The insurance underwriter, DAMN THEIR MERCENARY SOULS, would not give me insurance unless I went through a prostate bi-opsy exam.

My G.P. tried to talk me out of doing the bi-opsy, as he thought it was not worth the risk of infection from the test itself. But ... I couldn't get insurance without the test ...DAMN INSURANCE COMPANIES!!! The ONLY concern they have is dollars.

As someone else mentioned, it was painfull, in the extreme. My test results were negative.

Since then, I've also been taking Saw Palmento pills, I buy them at the local health store. I get my blood work done every year. Last test, my PSA was 1.5.

I hope that this story helps those interested in this problem. Feel free to PM me with any questions and I'll only be to happy to answer as you best I can. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson