[Misc] Prostate Cancer

SkirlieWirlie said:

My father passed away 14 years ago following a late diagnosis of prostate cancer. Had it for years and metastasised to the bone. When I turned 50 I asked my GP for a physical exam and PSA test which was carried out without issue. Recently asked for another PSA two years after the last and results came back positive. Another GP in the practise called me and gave me a dressing down, asking why I'd requested it, they are imperfect and now that a positive result had been returned, he couldn't ignore it and next steps would be needed.

Honestly, flabbergasted.

Also commented on my slightly raised cholesterol from a check up a year ago and also pooh pooed the life changes I'd made in the past 6 years to improve my nutrition and exercise habits. Too difficult to affect your cholesterol naturally apparently.

I find it hugely frustrating that when you try to do the right thing and take responsibility for your own wellbeing, this is often the response you get ( in my experience )

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SkirlieWirlie said:

My father passed away 14 years ago following a late diagnosis of prostate cancer. Had it for years and metastasised to the bone. When I turned 50 I asked my GP for a physical exam and PSA test which was carried out without issue. Recently asked for another PSA two years after the last and results came back positive. Another GP in the practise called me and gave me a dressing down, asking why I'd requested it, they are imperfect and now that a positive result had been returned, he couldn't ignore it and next steps would be needed.

Honestly, flabbergasted.

Also commented on my slightly raised cholesterol from a check up a year ago and also pooh pooed the life changes I'd made in the past 6 years to improve my nutrition and exercise habits. Too difficult to affect your cholesterol naturally apparently.

I find it hugely frustrating that when you try to do the right thing and take responsibility for your own wellbeing, this is often the response you get ( in my experience )

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SkirlieWirlie said:

My father passed away 14 years ago following a late diagnosis of prostate cancer. Had it for years and metastasised to the bone. When I turned 50 I asked my GP for a physical exam and PSA test which was carried out without issue. Recently asked for another PSA two years after the last and results came back positive. Another GP in the practise called me and gave me a dressing down, asking why I'd requested it, they are imperfect and now that a positive result had been returned, he couldn't ignore it and next steps would be needed.

Honestly, flabbergasted.

Also commented on my slightly raised cholesterol from a check up a year ago and also pooh pooed the life changes I'd made in the past 6 years to improve my nutrition and exercise habits. Too difficult to affect your cholesterol naturally apparently.

I find it hugely frustrating that when you try to do the right thing and take responsibility for your own wellbeing, this is often the response you get ( in my experience )

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Harry Wilson's tackle said:

Your GP is an arse.

Just remember that 50% of medical students end up in the bottom half of their class.

And most of those end up as GPs.

Don't take any crap from them.

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Creaky said:

Couldn't have. been any different at my practice. Went in for my annual diabetes and coronary blood tests. Mentioned to the nurse that I had passed blood in my urine. She organised a PSA test and an appointment that day with my doctor.

The doc organised a cystoscopy, CT scan, further blood tests.

Just got back following the cystoscopy which showed the bladder as clear but that the prostate was enlarged. The finger up the bum confirms this but no immediate signs of anything untoward apart from size. Tomorrow I'm having the CT scan and possibly a biopsy.

I can't praise the NHS enough - within 4 days of reporting symptoms I will have been seen at the practice and two different hospitals and hopefully by next week will be given the all clear.

To anyone hesitant about seeing the doctor, don't be. If my experience is anything to go by the NHS is staffed by people who really care.

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Creaky said:

Couldn't have. been any different at my practice. Went in for my annual diabetes and coronary blood tests. Mentioned to the nurse that I had passed blood in my urine. She organised a PSA test and an appointment that day with my doctor.

The doc organised a cystoscopy, CT scan, further blood tests.

Just got back following the cystoscopy which showed the bladder as clear but that the prostate was enlarged. The finger up the bum confirms this but no immediate signs of anything untoward apart from size. Tomorrow I'm having the CT scan and possibly a biopsy.

I can't praise the NHS enough - within 4 days of reporting symptoms I will have been seen at the practice and two different hospitals and hopefully by next week will be given the all clear.

To anyone hesitant about seeing the doctor, don't be. If my experience is anything to go by the NHS is staffed by people who really care.

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Harry Wilson's tackle said:

Yes, but you have to push them. If they think you can't be arsed some (many? most?) will leave you to find your own merry way.

As I noted the other day I have benign prostatic hyperplasia. I was given the option of no treatment, alpha blockers, or surgery. Luckily I am reasonably well informed. And my consultant (for it was he) was very good.

My GP surgery in contrast have made absolute howlers over the years, from misdiagnosing a march fracture as gout, misdiagnosing scoliosis as nothing (on several occasions), misreading my HDL/LDL and telling me I had a 40% chance of death over the next 10 years, mis-prescribing a treatment for a painful infection, and directing me not only to a hospital I had requested I not be referred, but to the very same surgeon that that butchered my knee some years previously.

You have to keep a good eye on the buggers, and not let them fob you off (while being polite in case they blacklist you as a member of the awkward squad).

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AmexRuislip said:

View attachment 191963
Is this you

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raymondo said:

I've been a naughty boy by not owning up on here...hope this posting helps anyone who's having problems or still only THINKING of getting a PSA test.
1. June 2018 (age 63 then), a furtive first PSA test by my GP (he's quite thorough) showed a PSA of 7.
2. MRI, biopsy soon after, no evidence of malignancy. Diagnosis: Enlarged prostate with occasional prostatitis causing high PSA.
3. Six monthly PSA showed levels fluctuating between 6 and 7.8. NO SYMPTOMS. Consultant said contact hospital again if PSA reaches 9. I was pretty relaxed (silly me).
4. April 2024 PSA popped up to 9.2 (having been 6.6 in July 2023). NO SYMPTOMS.
5. May MRI, June 2024 Biopsy. Cancer diagnosis: Gleason 3+4, clinical stage T1c. It's a 'slow growing' tumour (a 'very slow growing' would have been nicer).
6. NO SYMPTOMS, GET TESTED GENTLEMEN.
7. Consultant says 'if you're lucky, you won't need treatment' . I assume that means 'if you're lucky you'll die of something else first' . If it mutates into a higher risk then my first treatment option could be HIFU, a fairly new treatment using focused ultrasound.
8. Sept 2024 PSA test result 8.2. Reassuring, it's not going up in a straight line.
9. Next PSA test Jan 2025, and a repeat MRI planned in May 2025 so the hospital (Bath) has an annual comparison.
10. Obviously each PSA test brings a little anxiety, but:
- I'm lucky it was diagnosed early (get tested gentlemen)
- I'm lucky I don't have any debilitating symptoms, even the occasional prostatitis seems rarer (get tested gentlemen)
- The urology consultants and nurses at my local hospital have been great so far, and that gives me confidence to TRUST THE PROCESS. They basically know what they are doing...there must be a huge national/ international database by now.
11. I asked the consultant if there's anything I could be doing health/diet wise to help myself. He said 'try to STAY FIT', as this leaves open more treatment options as one ages.
12. I first joined this excellent thread before I had a positive diagnosis, as I knew the consultants felt something was amiss with my high PSA. Hopefully my experience may be helpful. So, gentlemen: GET TESTED . TRUST THE PROCESS. STAY FIT.

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AmexRuislip said:

Glad your in the system to be treated.
I'm glad your consultant didn't say if you were to get cancer, prostate cancer is the one you want to get.
Thst really pisses me off when I've heard thst off other guys in a similar situation.
As you've said there are no definitive symptoms, it's still good to get tested.
On the subject of looking after yourself, aside from staying off alcohol, not smoking, staying off caffeine based products (this affects the bladder if wearing a catheter) and doing general exercise.
I was advised that sugar plays a huge part in the disease, where the cancer feeds off sugar. Just basically eating healthy and other stuff in moderation.

There is no luck in getting cancer IMO
Mine was first diagnosed as a slow grower, but then upgraded to a fast aggressive type.

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raymondo said:

Exactly, I can't imagine any cancer is 'the one you want to get,' is it.
Thanks for the heads-up about sugar intake, I wasn't aware of that, although I'm fairly low.
My consultant did warn me that there's a chance it changes to a more aggressive stage, but hopefully regular PSA tests would catch it.
Thanks for the feedback and I hope you're doing well.

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mothy said:

My father in law has just been diagnosed with this & has radiotherapy starting in December.

I'm 47 - will be asking for a PSA test soon

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Official Old Man said:

Am I being monitored by Bill Gates?
No not really, just grabbing your attention. After my 24 PSA reading, 2 x scans and biopsy I had my first Hormone Therapy injection. Nurse said it's some little gadget they put in to me that stops my body producing testosterone.
The nurse didn't show me this gadget and wouldn't deny that it would float around my body sending out signals, but Saturday the scanner thing waved at the ground went off for the first time ever!!!!!

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