Prostate cancer. A useful resource. (2 Viewers)

[rod_vw]

I am 67 and was diagnosed with intermediate PC last February, Gleason 3+4 with 15% of the samples taken being grade 4. I didn't/don't really find the examinations or the biopsy problematic. It's better to know the score than carry on wondering what might be.

I saw the surgeon fairly quickly. He suggested I give serious consideration to active surveillance but that seems to be a ticking time bomb to me. I do not want the operation to remove the prostate.

I only got to see the Oncologist in October (one cancelled appointment in September).

I also have Ulcerative Colitis which is well managed with medication. I wanted radiotherapy after having spacer gel inserted. That doesn't come free on the NHS though. £6k or £7k for the operation. I am thinking that should provide at least some protection to my rectum area.

I wanted brachytherapy but they can't do it if the spacer gel is used so I am back to normal radiotherapy (whatever normal is).

Seeing Oncologist again next week.

Dilemma.

My old man had PC and it spread and got him. I don't fancy the same outcome personally.

Onwards!!

UHL (University Hospitals Leicester)

Appreciate hearing the different approach being taken by various health trusts.

I'm 75 in ten days time and am waiting for progression through the radiotherapy procedure, now seven weeks into HT. PSA was 10 last Spring, Gleeson (which my Trust don't quote unless asked) was 3-4, I don't know the details of the biopsy except that they found cancerous cells.

An interesting thought to perhaps combine the knowledge of others on here. Perhaps we could create a check list of the questions we should ask (and maybe insist on answers to) when meeting the various medical professionals.

 

[sedge]

There is not currently a specific local support group in Leicestershire - only a group called Prostaid, which spends its time raising funds for prostate cancer specific equipment hence any number of blokes living in Leicestershire receive their treatment at Univ. Hospital Cov & Warwick either at the Coventry site (Walsgrave) or the Rugby St Cross site (in Barby Road) and hence why we've offered to undertake 'Awareness' events and have so far done two in Lutterworth for Lutterworth Lions and already booked a date Sept 2024 for them, plus we're also booked to do one with Hinckley Lions in March 24. If you need support or want to know anything - either Prostate UK or preferably, Tackle.

 

[The general]

Just in case it has never been mentioned to you do not have sex before the next mornings fasting blood tests .It completely throws out psa readings.

Correct gives a false reading

 

[The general]

active surveillance but that seems to be a ticking time bomb to me

Not if regular psa tests are carried out , remember quality of life . All pc treatments have side effects .you might have already consulted prostrate U.K. site , if you haven’t there’s a lot of good info on there .

 

[seasideBill]

Just to add to the info here, mate of mine had prostate removed by robotic surgery at Spire Hospital in Bristol. Very positive experience for him and cancer free 2+ years on.

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[The general]

Just to add to the info here, mate of mine had prostate removed by robotic surgery at Spire Hospital in Bristol. Very positive experience for him and cancer free 2+ years on.

Ex news . even if you have prostrate out it doesn’t guarantee cancer free , a mate had to have 33 fractions after removal and same as me psa tests every 6 months .

 

[georgio]

Is that shaving the prostrate ??

Yep

 

[Hirsch]

There is not currently a specific local support group in Leicestershire - only a group called Prostaid, which spends its time raising funds for prostate cancer specific equipment hence any number of blokes living in Leicestershire receive their treatment at Univ. Hospital Cov & Warwick either at the Coventry site (Walsgrave) or the Rugby St Cross site (in Barby Road) and hence why we've offered to undertake 'Awareness' events and have so far done two in Lutterworth for Lutterworth Lions and already booked a date Sept 2024 for them, plus we're also booked to do one with Hinckley Lions in March 24. If you need support or want to know anything - either Prostate UK or preferably, Tackle.

Thanks. I haven't felt the need for any 'support' to date but the more detail I get into the more I realise it is only me that can make the decision. At least that is what it feels like.

It must have been easier in the good old days when clinical specialists told you what you were going to have done to you without all the 'inclusiveness'.

 

[Hirsch]

Newsflash.

I have just opened the letter from the Oncologist appointment I had on 24th October. The letter finishes with he thinks I am leaning towards a period of active surveillance and "for now" he has discharged me from his clinic. One of us needs to improve our communication skills.

 

[Nirvanauk]

Hmm. 6 months ago psa was 1.6 today it was 2.25. Have an appointment with oncologist next week so may not get discharged.

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[Oldrat]

Fongers crossed for you

 

[BillandHelen]

Home - Prostate Scotland

Prostate Scotland WEBSITE

www.prostatescotland.org.uk

For those who want more information on treatment, side effects, questions to ask etc, I found the Prostate Scotland charity site to be excellent. There are also some first class you tube case studies/discussions etc.

 

[Fragle]

This is possibly the most sensible thread I have come across on M-H-Fun for ages..
,.........................................................................................................................................................................

I am also a sufferer of this dreaded disease.. Diagnosed a few years ago when I was 76yrs old..
My PSA was fairly low and I was put on a course of 3 monthly Hormone injections...That did not stop me from wanting a pee every half hour after getting up from bed... (Went all night without getting up.. ..)

Over the next 2 - 3 years my PSA sky rocketed.... So GP put me on a course of tablets as well as hormone replacement injections.. with the mixture of both, I can honestly say as far as I am aware I am cured... I can go for ages without a pee,,,, I don`t have to map out where the toilets are when going shopping... life feels great..

Just a shame about the other ongoing problems and issues that will take me before the cancer does..

Yes Agreed

Because of this thread and prompted by the other half. I've contacted the doctor today.

Very good. I explained my thoughts and he has asked for urine and bloods (psa) to be checked.

I usually get up once a night. Just lately had a few pains mainly from going back to work driving lorry and delivering gas. Pulling and pushing quite stressful on the stomach.
But not having toilets I found it a bit of a problem. Cold weather standing outside whilst making delivery and then holding it in because your in someones garden etc causes more of a problem.

I feel ok and don't envisage any issues but we hear so many stories of us not getting checks especially when they are there to be had.

I seen the thread a few days ago and it made me think. Better safe than sorry.

Bowel checks came back clear last week.

Thanks to the OP for the thread

 

[The general]

Very good. I explained my thoughts and he has asked for urine and bloods (psa) to be checked.

Ex , primary care

 

[rangi]

I've read most of the posts on this thread and note the differences in the way PC is approached by differing health trusts. I think it would be helpful to many of us if those posting could indicate which health board was treating them.

Mine is Shrewsbury & Telford NHS Trust.

Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Bristol Southmede Hospital and Duchy Hospital, Surgery is Harris Memorial. Illogan

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[POH]

I have a non cancerous enlarged prostate (confirmed by Uroscopy and biopsies) had a year on the dreaded but helpful Finasteride (in 2016) still suffering the side-effects which are more psychological as well as physical but now controlled by using Tadalafil in small doses daily

I have 6 monthly PSA and HbA1C (diabetes) and FBC (for Rivaroxaban)

Everyone if you have a prostate get it checked

I also had the dreaded finisterre same side effects nothing worked just getting some "feeling" back and been off them for 2years , do you find that the tadalafil along with the tamsolusin increases your flow rate has I heard that due to the increased blood flow it also reduces the inflammation which in turn relax the prostate grip on your wee wee tube so might ask gp if I can try it.

 

[pagey]

Thanks to the advice on here the results of my psa test show a reading a little high but the bowel test shows as fine so I am being referred to oncology for an appointment within the next 2 weeks

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Thanks to the advice on here the results of my psa test show a reading a little high but the bowel test shows as fine so I am being referred to oncology for an appointment within the next 2 weeks

Hopefully you’ll get referred for Biopsies, as said in my post #11 the area of my Prostate that turned out to have cancer felt normal on DRE and didn’t show anything on the MRI.
My blood level was 4.

 

[pagey]

Just had a phone call from the hospital and have a phone consultation with the consultant on Friday to arrange the way forward

 

[gus-lopez]

I can never understand why they cannot use something similar to how they open up narrowed arteries & blood vessels? Insert an expanding spring from in to out through the prostate & jobs a good un? Only the same as how a catheter works?

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[seasideBill]

I can never understand why they cannot use something similar to how they open up narrowed arteries & blood vessels? Insert an expanding spring from in to out through the prostate & jobs a good un? Only the same as how a catheter works?

See my post #37. That’s effectively what I had done - ‘Urolift’.

Not that straightforward though…. depends on precisely what’s causing the enlargement e.g. lobes of the prostate gland can press on the bladder neck, act like a plug and cause the obstruction. That’s an entirely more invasive surgical procedure.

 

[Fragle]

Well the results are in. Bowel, urine and bloods are all normal. Including psa
Pain I had has gradually eased so probably a strain pulling.

But thanks to the thread again mind put at ease.

 

[M50]

I’m reading this with interest (52 years old)
I know it’s not 100% and no I’m not a salesman
but if anyone can send the link below to their 50 year old friends it could save their for 20 quid

IcleTest® | Your Early Warning System for Blood in Urine

IcleTest® is the home urine test designed to detect traces of blood in your pee - it's your very own early warning system for health issues such as prostate, kidney and bladder cancer, as well as UTI's.

www.icletest.co.uk

I’m in the doctors Friday after the results of my icle test

 

[seasideBill]

Prostate Cancer UK seem less than enthusiastic:

The problem with home urine tests for prostate cancer

The manufacturers of these products claim they offer men “peace of mind” - but there’s no evidence to support this. Our Director of Support and Influencing, Chiara De Biase, takes a closer look.

prostatecanceruk.org

 

[InvictaMoto]

Ordered a blood test three weeks ago as I hadn't had one for Type 2 diabetes for over a year. I was 46 on the scale last year and still told to take 1000mg Metaformin a day.

At the surgery no one had ticked any boxes on the form so the nurse ticked them all.

I had a call in two days to say psa was higher than expected. I was referred to Urology. Went last Thursday. Finger up the rear. Enlarged. Given the Tamulosin capsules. Doc said take at night before bed and sit down in case of dizziness.

Oddly had dizziness first three times but in the morning some 9 or 10 hours after taking them...

Having MRI scan sometime in next two weeks! Amazing speed from blood test onwards....

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[Hettie's Crew]

Having MRI scan sometime in next two weeks! Amazing speed from blood test onwards...

I had the PSA blood test at my GP (Modality Partnership) on the 17th July, a few days later a call to say I’d been referred due to a slightly raised PSA, an appointment with Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Urology department for 11th August to do the DRE, MRI done two days later on the 13th August and then 14 biopsies taken on the 17th August.
I was on my way home in the car from the DRE when they rang about MRI appointment, then two days after they rang to say can I attend for the Biopsies.
I can’t believe how good the service has been, fantastic staff, an allocated Mac Milan nurse for any enquiry regarding my treatment pathway. I now have a full assessment of my cancer and Mr Smith the surgeon discussed all of the available treatments options with me on 20th September and basically gave me the choice of which way to go.

 

[cyberyacht]

I've had Tamusolin pills for quite a few years. Seem to have made sod all difference to anything.

 

[scotjimland]

I've had Tamusolin pills for quite a few years. Seem to have made sod all difference to anything.

That being the case , why keep taking them..

have you spoken to your GP, there my be other options

When I started a couple of months ago the improvement in peeing was almost overnight ..

 

[seasideBill]

My GP did say that an enlarged prostate would likely to continue to grow as I aged so what works today might not work tomorrow?

 

[pagey]

Had a chat with the consultant this morning and he suggested a mri scan but was suprised I did not have 90 % of the usual symptoms so we see what the mri comes up with but he did mention a biopsy to be sure ,mri is arranged for 02.12

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