Prostate cancer

[Jaco]

Just sat here in San Jose, Costa Rica, musing about how being diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer, actually provided me with the opportunity to see life from a different perspective. 
I’m in my 10th year and probably beaten expectations. In that time I’ve become a grandad to 2 beautiful girls, something that I thought might not happen in my lifetime. I’ve travelled extensively and regret nothing about how life has turned out.

Anyhow, given that this twat of a disease is now up there amongst the most common cause of cancer deaths, perhaps men of a certain age need to be reminded that signs associated with prostate cancer symptoms are not readily dismissed as being age related. Screening does not take place in the UK put PSA tests can be  offered on the NHS if a GP thinks symptoms warrant it. 
There is significantly more awareness of the disease than when I was diagnosed but there is no downside to prompting you guys to be vigilant. You owe it to yourselves.

[Twoshoes]

10 hours ago, Jaco said:

You owe it to yourselves.

Good advice but as I was told after my blood tests the PSA test can give in certain circumstances a false negative or positive so it is best to have an internal examination as well for greater clarity. I only say this because I'm sure many are put off by the thought of the internal exam. Don't be, I had my PSA level checked last month which was fine but I was recommended to have the internal exam, it is not as bad as you would imagine , I didn't find it painful at all . Put aside any feelings of embarrassment you may have, the test is quick and over before you know it. I second Jaco's sentiment above, you really do owe it yourselves. 

  To you Jaco I'm sure your positive attitude has helped you through some tough times and kudos to you for getting on with your life . Hopefully your post will encourage more people to get checked out.

[Ian Parker]

me too.  ive had an internal examination, 6 weeks ago. thankfully all clear.   i just have age related issues (no explanation required) .  get looked at guys..  one chap at work,   had his prostate removed just before christmas,  we had no idea he was even poorly.   kept it quiet out of bravado and embarrassment, but hes so relieved,  he talks about it openly now. 

[Philb]

I had a PSA blood test two years ago at 57, I had no symptoms of prostrate cancer but seeing as the council along with the charity CHAPS were holding a men’s health day I thought what harm, mine came back in the red zone, a result of 9.32, I was advised to see my GP which I did, I was sent for another blood test and it came back high again, now as previously said I had no symptoms at all, I had to go for an MRI first which came back inconclusive, next step biopsy which was horrendous and not a pleasant experience, this came back positive with cancer, options were remove, radiotherapy, or monitoring, I chose removal, the cancer was 3mm from the surface of my prostrate which if I’d left would now be in my lymph nodes which is catastrophic, how many more lives could be saved if there was a screening process, now I know there’s a chance of a false positive but I think it’s better to be safe than sorry because like I said no symptoms, it’s not a nice feeling sitting in the waiting room with other men who were at the biopsy clinic and watching them come out of the consultants room with their families in floods of tears because they were diagnosed too late  

 

[Middleman]

27 minutes ago, Philb said:

I had a PSA blood test two years ago at 57, I had no symptoms of prostrate cancer but seeing as the council along with the charity CHAPS were holding a men’s health day I thought what harm, mine came back in the red zone, a result of 9.32, I was advised to see my GP which I did, I was sent for another blood test and it came back high again, now as previously said I had no symptoms at all, I had to go for an MRI first which came back inconclusive, next step biopsy which was horrendous and not a pleasant experience, this came back positive with cancer, options were remove, radiotherapy, or monitoring, I chose removal, the cancer was 3mm from the surface of my prostrate which if I’d left would now be in my lymph nodes which is catastrophic, how many more lives could be saved if there was a screening process, now I know there’s a chance of a false positive but I think it’s better to be safe than sorry because like I said no symptoms, it’s not a nice feeling sitting in the waiting room with other men who were at the biopsy clinic and watching them come out of the consultants room with their families in floods of tears because they were diagnosed too late  

 

Petty much the same for me, had internal exam, blood tests, biopsy, bladder operation then Brachytherapy (radioactive seeds implanted in Prostate), lucky to catch it early and all good now.

Pissed me off I must say that there wasn't any structured and periodical testing in place for men over a certain age.

I actually went to the Docs for upper leg pain and he randomly did the physical test.

So anyone reading this try to get it examined. 

[Philb]

2 minutes ago, Middleman said:

Petty much the same for me, had internal exam, blood tests, biopsy, bladder operation then Brachytherapy (radioactive seeds implanted in Prostate), lucky to catch it early and all good now.

Pissed me off I must say that there wasn't any structured and periodical testing in place for men over a certain age.

I actually went to the Docs for upper leg pain and he randomly did the physical test.

So anyone reading this try to get it examined. 

Brachytherapy wasn’t an option for me, apparently it was a regional thing so not available in my area, glad you’re doing well now but I’m with you, I just think if those older men in that waiting room who obviously got bad news were diagnosed early through a screening process would have been given a longer life span. 

[Jaco]

1 hour ago, Twoshoes said:

Good advice but as I was told after my blood tests the PSA test can give in certain circumstances a false negative or positive so it is best to have an internal examination as well for greater clarity. I only say this because I'm sure many are put off by the thought of the internal exam. Don't be, I had my PSA level checked last month which was fine but I was recommended to have the internal exam, it is not as bad as you would imagine , I didn't find it painful at all . Put aside any feelings of embarrassment you may have, the test is quick and over before you know it. I second Jaco's sentiment above, you really do owe it yourselves. 

  To you Jaco I'm sure your positive attitude has helped you through some tough times and kudos to you for getting on with your life . Hopefully your post will encourage more people to get checked out.

The point about false negative or positive outcome of a PSA test is well made. There are now a number of alternative tests - PSE being one of them - but not sure if this is available in UK. My PSA was 348 when diagnosed so no real doubt about my condition. A biopsy and scans only confirmed that cancer had spread beyond the prostate gland. 
Having a PSA test can be potentially problematical but perhaps any perceived controversy isn’t whether there are any benefits at all in the test, but whether the benefits outweigh the harm.

[Citizen P]

Get it done, caught mine early and thankfully sorted with Hormone & Radiotherapy still well under control , so thank you NHS.

But, as it is one of the most common cancers, why there is no screening programme is shameful-- Money of course...

 

ATB

 

 

Tony

 

 

[Citizen P]

Get it done, caught mine early and thankfully sorted with Hormone & Radiotherapy still well under control , so thank you NHS.

But, as it is one of the most common cancers, why there is no screening programme is shameful-- Money of course...

 

ATB

 

 

Tony

 

Knew I had heard something recently, but apparently there is now a "spit" test that can-in some cases be more accurate than the PSA-  why wait ??

[John Siret]

Philb

Hello, I have been living with prostrate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. I am regularly monitored and am on hormone injections and tablets.

Has been like this for the last 2 years and I can do most things, I have the occasional bad day. I was diagnosed when I was 51 am now 57. 
My PSA is low at present 0.01, last 2 tests. 
I do have inconsistent pain on my left side, which doesn’t last. 
Felt I needed to say this as saying catastrophic isn’t always the case.

Anyway, good luck. 

[Philb]

7 minutes ago, John Siret said:

Philb

Hello, I have been living with prostrate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. I am regularly monitored and am on hormone injections and tablets.

Has been like this for the last 2 years and I can do most things, I have the occasional bad day. I was diagnosed when I was 51 am now 57. 
My PSA is low at present 0.01, last 2 tests. 
I do have inconsistent pain on my left side, which doesn’t last. 
Felt I needed to say this as saying catastrophic isn’t always the case.

Anyway, good luck. 

That’s good to know John and I’m glad you’re doing well, I was quoting what the consultant told me when I was diagnosed which was after he said we could monitor it without treatment, I didn’t want to chance it so had a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.