Prostate Cancer ............................................... Chris Hoy and me.

Since turning 50 I've asked for a check (bloods and internal) once a year - GP has always been happy to oblige.  
Why be reluctant - if the tools are there, use them

jonathantennantphotography.co.uk hope it works out for you !

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sorry, double post (ignore)

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I'm impressed at how fast they turned that around. Once you get past the admin the NHS is terrific.

FWIW, a high PSA score is a marker which MAY indicate an issue - it's not a death sentence, merely a prompt that further investigations may be advisable. I've read recently that the number of negative biopsies following 'high' PSA scores is so great - and biopsies are not without side effects - that those who decide these things are now thinking of changing the criteria somewhat. Anyone who hasn't had a PSA test by age 55 or so should really give their GP a rattle and ask for one.

There are different types of biopsy, my boss at work said he was able to simply walk out from his. Mine was under general anaesthetic, and required a ride home (definitely not on a bicycle) and some recovery time.

Shadows on an MRI 'may' be cancer, but equally may be benign lumps. If the Biopsy doesn't throw up anything malignant (let's hope for the best) you are then monitored over a period of time with repeated PSA's and MRI's to see if the shadows have changed in shape or size. I've been at this stage for several years - and for now I'm able to relax and say they aren't growing discernibly.

I'm sure many reading this know all that already and my apologies for boring you; but it's a subject people don't talk about much and one that most men should really know a little more about. Early detection and treatment can be a literal life-saver. I'm not in a rush to have a biopsy again (though it was never at any point painful) but the PSA's and MRI's are water off a duck's back and well worth making the effort.

Best of luck with your result Jonathan.

Hope your result comes out ok, but if it doesn’t, catching it early often has good outcomes.

I’ve been in exactly your position, high PSA, inconclusive digital exam and MRI, biopsy came back clear, so know the anxiety awaiting results.

Best of luck for everything working out.

Hi Jonathan!!

A very worthwhile post :) - Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope that other men will follow your lead :)

I wish you all the best with your ongoing journey throughout this process and am pleased you have had a good experience with the NHS :)

I cannot fault the NHS for the turnaround in terms of testing for cancer. I had my own cancer scare18 months ago.

Within 3 weeks of going to my GP, I was seen in a specialist clinic, tested and results back.

If you are ever in doubt, please see your GP. A few weeks of uncertainty is nothing in comparison.

Not the same, but similar, in that my wife JJ Phoenix was diagnosed with breast cancer last August.

6 weeks and 1 day after diagnosis, she had a lumpectomy and then went through radiotherapy early in Dec.

She has since had her 1 year mammogram and had an all clear...

So the moral of the story is, if it don't feel right, get it checked!

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The problem with PSA tests has always been that they are 20% false positive - as described by some posters above - but also up to 20% false negative.  The latter - without further investigation - can be lethal.  A very good friend of mine with no symptoms and a negative test died of pc very soon after.  

It seems the only route that can be certain is the biopsy one with all the issues that entails.  And also in many case the cancer is evolving so slowly that the treatment is worse - and earlier - than the disease.  (This latter is fairly common in cancers: my beloved has leukaemia and has only recently started treatment as “the symptoms are only now worse than the side effects of the treatment”).

The situation with pc is complex but there is a lot of work being done in the field and there is hope sometime soon a completely non-invasive but 100% reliable test will be available.  Meantime good job with you guys that got tested and cleared.  Well done!

Now, how many if you have been asked for and have returned your stool samples?  🤔🫣

Carlos said

Now, how many if you have been asked for and have returned your stool samples?  🤔🫣

Ha ha, I never dreamed that when I grew up putting poop in the letter box would be deemed responsible behaviour!

I was able to turn down the last request having recently had a full colonoscopy (darn thing almost came out of my nose....)

There's nothing quite like celebrating your 50th with posting poop.

I remember being told you've got a tumor (not prostate) and my initial thoughts were at least they didn't say cancer...

A very emotional and hard time and a couple decades later realised it wasn't the death sentence I felt. Also it's good to talk and sometimes easier with strangers.

JVeitch 

I remember being told you've got a tumor (not prostate) and my initial thoughts were at least they didn't say cancer...

A very emotional and hard time and a couple decades later realised it wasn't the death sentence I felt. Also it's good to talk and sometimes easier with strangers.

Without boring you with the details I have been there with my wife’s medical issues, not once but 3 times.  In each case the outcome though seriously bleak (“average life expectancy” conversations) initially turned out really well (so far🙏🤞).  She often jokes to the docs that after reading her notes that they should say “but apart from that are you fit and healthy”.  Certainly if you saw her you would imagine she was exactly that …….fit, healthy and young-looking for her age.
 
Ok, she is a tough Scotswoman and philosophically a Stoic, but her real secret is that she is what she calls herself ….an optimistic realist.  For example, she never reads about drug or treatment side effects because “I don’t get side effects”……and she doesn’t.  It does help that she is a yogini and lapsed yoga teacher so physical well-being and meditation are serious part of her armoury……but to her …..and me…..attitude at the outset is all.

Having had the pleasure of being told that I needed an operation, I would advise anyone who is having trouble having a pee to see their gp asap.  Being stupid I thought that things would get better but they did not and I ended up at A&E.  A catheter was fitted and I was told that it would be best if I had the turp operation.

It took over 3 months before I had the operation and many silly things were done which were upsetting.  For example I was sent for a urine flow test which cannot be done if a catheter is fitted.  The consultant had put the test down when I was initially admitted at A&E.  I have the appointment letter.  

A urine sample was taken and it took over 10 days for my surgery to give me the results.  I rang the hospital who told me when the results were sent to the gp.  When the gp finally rang me she told me that traces of e-coli had been found so I needed antibiotics.  Also had I got pains in my kidneys?

On another occasion the visiting nurse replaced the end of the catheter.  A few hours later it fell off and my leg was covered in urine.  I rammed the end back on and again it came off.  By this time I was feeling very low.  I rang for help and a nurse came out.  It was as though I was an idiot and got a 'Bless'.   The suggestion was to get the old catheter end out of the bin, boil it and fit it back on.  That did the trick.

I had to go to the hospital for an endoscopy and was sent to the wrong department.  When I finally got to where I should be the nurse there told me to make a formal complaint.  It was as though what happened to me was not new.

The catheter was removed and tests were done.  I was then told that there were no replacement catheter ends!!! I would need a bag.  Imagine lying there on your back with no trousers on arguing.  In the end the old top of the catheter was used again.

To put it bluntly the whole process was very unpleasant.  This was all a few years before covid.

I was so grateful for the operation and can say that my time in hospital for the operation was excellent.  I cannot fault anything or anybody.

After, I was feeling so much better and went in for a review.  I was told that traces of prostate cancer were found in the biopsy.  As a result I would need a MRI and 6 monthly psa tests.

Things were arranged but I had to ring the hospital to ask where the appointments were.  They were on the system and no letter had been sent!

After 3 mris, one a year, I was told that I did not need any more as there was no change.  The blood tests continue but they are random.  I have been for other blood tests at my gp and have requested the psa test to be added because appointments are not sent.

Sometimes I can see the psa results when I log onto my medical record.  Sometimes I have to ring the surgery for the result.  On one occasion I was informed that the hospital had requested the test so contact them.  When I informed the person that I could not speak to anybody at the hospital I was given my result and informed that the hospital and the surgery are on different computer systems.  

So summing up get tested, get the psa test and see your gp if there is any hint of a problem.  The sooner the better.

Once in the nhs system look after yourself and pester until you get a test result or an appointment.  Praise the few people that do their best.  There are some good people but sadly the system seems overwhelmed.

I've chatted to a few colleagues and friends this week, and despite them being offered free blood tests most havn't taken the offer up/ 

So an update - the results from 6 samples taken from my prostate, 5 were positive for cancer.

Total shock to me, and the professionals did ask why I wanted my PSA check as I had exhibited no symptoms. The urology consultant said if it wasn't for me asking, the cancer would have remained un detected and grown.

I am currently recovering from R.A.L.P. surgery to remove my prostate.

I too had no symptoms but a routine blood test gave slightly higher PSA results than normal.  I was diagnosed 3 years ago and had a Gleeson score of 3+4 but a PSA score of only 5, so it was decided not to  have further treatment other than continue monitoring the prostate with regular PSA results.  3 years later, still with no symptoms, my PSA had risen to 8 so a second biopsy was carried out and another 'shadow' was identified which gave a Gleeson score of 4+4.  At these levels immediate action required. 3 months after the second biopsy I had my operation to remove the prostate, along with repairing 3 hernias at the same time!  Its fare to say I was a little sore for a few days!

I am yet to have my follow up appointment with the surgeon which is 6 weeks after surgery, so do not know the full outcome or level of success of the process but a I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. 

Good luck Jonathan, I hope all goes well. 

brown said

I am currently recovering from R.A.L.P. surgery to remove my prostate.

I too had no symptoms but a routine blood test gave slightly higher PSA results than normal.  I was diagnosed 3 years ago and had a Gleeson score of 3+4 but a PSA score of only 5, so it was decided not to  have further treatment other than continue monitoring the prostate with regular PSA results.  3 years later, still with no symptoms, my PSA had risen to 8 so a second biopsy was carried out and another 'shadow' was identified which gave a Gleeson score of 4+4.  At these levels immediate action required. 3 months after the second biopsy I had my operation to remove the prostate, along with repairing 3 hernias at the same time!  Its fare to say I was a little sore for a few days!

I am yet to have my follow up appointment with the surgeon which is 6 weeks after surgery, so do not know the full outcome or level of success of the process but a I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. 

Good luck Jonathan, I hope all goes well. 

Wow, Thanks for sharing.