PSA tests are used to monitor cancer control after treatment for prostate cancer.

• Your PSA drops more quickly after surgery than radiotherapy.
  In most men, it stays low or undetectable for many years.
• The period after treatment is a chance to improve your diet, exercise and weight – it may help your prostate cancer outcome.
• If the PSA starts to rise again after surgery, salvage radiotherapy still offers a chance of cure.

Introduction

For more than 90% of men, life continues uneventfully for many years after their treatment for localised prostate cancer. Normally there is a program of monitoring to ensure the cancer has not returned and we will describe that in this information sheet. The months and years after your treatment for localised prostate cancer are a time when it is important to improve your overall health as this can affect your outcome for prostate cancer. We give you tips on how to do this as well as to avoid unnecessary worry.