Prostate cancer

[mcfcinprague]

I was diagnosed at 64 in 2017

PSA 4.6 and 8 on the Gleason scale and was very aggressive

I opted for Brachytherapy, 15 sessions of Radiotherapy and Hormone jabs

PSA now 0.15 and has been for 2 years

It can be beaten if diagnosed early, just make sure you get the test done

 

[RobMCFC]

OK, an encouraging start.

Specialist said he can feel a smooth nodule on the right side of my prostate. He said that with some men, he would be able to tell them straight away that they have cancer, but he couldn’t in my case.

Before the exam he told me not to be worried because regardless of what he found, he’d be doing an MRI. I suppose the fact that he found the nodule means that it would be stupid not to have a biopsy, which is booked for 11th April - MRI sometime before.

He also said he wasn’t overly worried about the PSA of 23 - that simply means your prostate needs further investigation.

So far, so good. Dr Google (I.e. my wife) has since discovered that the term “nodule” is usually used to refer to small lumps of 3cm or less.

Keeping my expectations in check because it could still be cancer, but hopefully it’s an early stage if that’s the case.

 

[Bournemouth Blue]

I was diagnosed in 2018, had a prostatectomy with the help of a robot, it has consequences but I am still here, and almost certainly wouldn’t have been here now without the surgery. The PSA and biopsy actually seemed less critical at the diagnostic stage, but after the op I was told the tumour was very close to spreading and I was very lucky it was treated in time.

 

[Djibrilshairdo]

From my reading, Prostate cancer is much more dangerous to 45-60 year olds as it tends to be a more aggressive type.
Then less aggressive from 70 onwards.

A good start would be making it mandatory part of the 50 year MOT at the GP.
Maybe going as far as doing it at the 40 year MOT etc.

As a comparison, Canada offer prostate checks from the age of 40 as part of your annual free mot. We’re definitely lagging over here.
I once asked the doc what he feels for; explained that a normal sized prostate is about the size of a walnut with a similar ridge down the middle, each hemisphere should be the width of 1.5 finger tips to be considered normal / not enlarged.

 

[Blue Maverick]

So are we just supposed to contact our doctor and they’ll do this, with the way nhs is at the moment will they not fob you off if you have no symptoms?

 

[RobMCFC]

So are we just supposed to contact our doctor and they’ll do this, with the way nhs is at the moment will they not fob you off if you have no symptoms?

I just filled in a non-emergency on-line form saying that I wanted a prostate test as I'm 55. They texted back the same day asking if I had any of the symptoms, and I basically said not really, other than going for a pee more in the night. They set up a blood test straight away.

Good that you are thinking of doing the test and it shouldn't take much effort to get one.

The nurse, the GP and the specialist all said I'd done the right thing asking for the test with only minimal symptoms, so I think that the will is there for those that ask.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

So are we just supposed to contact our doctor and they’ll do this, with the way nhs is at the moment will they not fob you off if you have no symptoms?

Had a first PSA test about 4 years ago. And had another earlier this year plus the physical exam. I was going for a wee a bit more frequently at night. But what made me get checked again was that 4 friends have been diagnosed with Prostrate Cancer, 2 are sadly no longer here. No push back from the docs whatsoever getting the checks done.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Cheers guys will do it today

 

[ob]

OK, an encouraging start.

Specialist said he can feel a smooth nodule on the right side of my prostate. He said that with some men, he would be able to tell them straight away that they have cancer, but he couldn’t in my case.

Before the exam he told me not to be worried because regardless of what he found, he’d be doing an MRI. I suppose the fact that he found the nodule means that it would be stupid not to have a biopsy, which is booked for 11th April - MRI sometime before.

He also said he wasn’t overly worried about the PSA of 23 - that simply means your prostate needs further investigation.

So far, so good. Dr Google (I.e. my wife) has since discovered that the term “nodule” is usually used to refer to small lumps of 3cm or less.

Keeping my expectations in check because it could still be cancer, but hopefully it’s an early stage if that’s the case.

Good luck mate

 

[fulabeer]

So are we just supposed to contact our doctor and they’ll do this, with the way nhs is at the moment will they not fob you off if you have no symptoms?

I believe anyone over 50 is entitled to a PSA blood test.
You don't need to have any symptoms.
I think they ask if you have any symptoms, as a PSA test alone isn't a diagnostic test.
So you can have a low PSA result have still have issues, and a high score and still be fine.
It just indicates there may be a problem.

When i got my first slightly high reading, i was asked if i had had sex in the last 48 hours, as that can affect the readings for example.
I told the guy that i was married and he replied "ok, that's a no then!"... :p