Prostate cancer. A useful resource.

[varaizian]

Think the international consensus now is 'anything over 3' gets referred to hospital for further investigation.

A figure of 3 would have seen me getting attention about 8 years ago. Whether there would have been anything to find is another matter. I think that doctors as a breed are obviously very intelligent and are often born to similarly clever parents. They mix with similarly gifted people and for some this can lead to arrogance and a tendency to dismiss mere mortals. Being persistent is essential. I presented my 15 years of rising results in a graph which attracted his attention!

 

[sedge]

Has always been the way that more blokes die WITH prostate cancer than OF it. And people are being diagnosed younger now - hence the old advice that there's no need to even bother before you are 50+ does NOT apply and more - esp if there is ANY hint of it in your past (and indeed, passed) family - so many of us just don't know.

In that past, OK granny's/grandad's death certificate may well have stated Heart failure. Well yeah, if your heart stops beating, you do die. But - what precisely caused the bugger to stop beating, then? My dad had an older sis and a younger one. The latter died when he was a child and had always, apparently, 'been sickly'. After which his mother began to decline, dying 'of heart failure' when he was 13-ish. Fast forward to 1972 when my dad and his big sister were both very much still alive but aged 22, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. My own big sis inherited that grandma's ginger hair. Have always wondered if I inherited diabetes genes ......

 

[pagey]

I remember being told that most old men have evidence of prostate cancer when post mortems are carried out. It’s just that something else gets a lot of people first like strokes, heart attacks etc.

I was told most die with it not because of it and that was a doctor

 

[Rapido666F]

Currently I’m reading Adrian Mole: the Prostate Years. Good for a bit of humour

 

[The general]

I was told most die with it not because of it and that was a doctor

Without doubt figures prove it

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[gus-lopez]

Think the international consensus now is 'anything over 3' gets referred to hospital for further investigation.

Yes they reduced it from 4 something to 3,10 here about 6 or 7 years ago

 

[KASPAR]

Back in the day PC was called 'the old man's cancer', as if you lived long enough (at that time into your 80's) you would die with it, not of it.

As early as the late 1980's that was the school of thought. My late father was not checked at age 53 in '86 as it was still the old school of thought. He died of Carcinomatosis at 55, as the primary carcinoma PC had not been detected in time and had spread.

I had my first PSA in '88 at age 29 and every 7 years thereafter until I presented with a raised PSA in May '20 that was confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate on 20 Aug, removed by Radical Prostatectomy on Sept 11th 2020 (a somewhat memorable date for the not usual reason). I got the all clear in Nov '24.

 

[The general]

i had my 6 month psa check results thurs or even tomorrow pm on NHS APP .

Just checked, reading 0.12 , thank you nhs for the treatment 6yrs ago

 

[big bertha]

Apologies but I have not read the preceeding 34 pages of posts so my apologies for that.

After pressure from the better half and peeing two or three times a night I asked the Doc about a prostate test. He had previously said years ago that the test was not reliable.

Saw the Doc who discussed matters and gave me an examination! Said it felt hard and that he should refer me to Urology - Accepted

Today after only a few weeks I had my hospital appointment which included a further discussion about symptoms, a physical exam of torso, testicles, penis and finger up the bum to be advised that I should stick to decaf tea and coffee which I already do, drink more water, and that both my blood test and physical exam of my prostate were normal for a male of my age of 73 peeing twice and sometimes 3 times during the night.

Peace of mind given to me today but I can't sleep a wink tonight!

It was the peeing more and at night which was unusual for my hubby that sent him to docs and he was thinking age. No hassle blood test given straight away and Dre test. His prostate was enlarged but felt normal not hard. All the best for your results.
There's no rhyme or reason to it my brother who is in his 70s has been up during the night muliple times for years but his prostate is pristine so the doctor says.

 

[varaizian]

It was the peeing more and at night which was unusual for my hubby that sent him to docs and he was thinking age. No hassle blood test given straight away and Dre test. His prostate was enlarged but felt normal not hard. All the best for your results.
There's no rhyme or reason to it my brother who is in his 70s has been up during the night muliple times for years but his prostate is pristine so the doctor says.

And my GP (the PSA Test sceptic) assures me that he has seen men presenting with test results in the 20s and 30s who prove to be clear on further examination.

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[varaizian]

Apologies but I have not read the preceeding 34 pages of posts so my apologies for that.

After pressure from the better half and peeing two or three times a night I asked the Doc about a prostate test. He had previously said years ago that the test was not reliable.

Saw the Doc who discussed matters and gave me an examination! Said it felt hard and that he should refer me to Urology - Accepted

Today after only a few weeks I had my hospital appointment which included a further discussion about symptoms, a physical exam of torso, testicles, penis and finger up the bum to be advised that I should stick to decaf tea and coffee which I already do, drink more water, and that both my blood test and physical exam of my prostate were normal for a male of my age of 73 peeing twice and sometimes 3 times during the night.

Peace of mind given to me today but I can't sleep a wink tonight!

But no MRI specifically looking at the prostate though? Incidentally it is known as a DRE in polite company!! Nevertheless very pleased for you and the loss of sleep is well worth it.

 

[Speve]

Back at #998 I thought I was about to start RT but there were a few anomalies on an MRI scan so the radiologist wanted me to see a gastroenterologist first. My transit habit is always very slow and occasionally grinds to a halt; particularly when travelling in the van. Presumably because of road vibration. Not helped by spicy food either which is a bit of a shame! I did wonder how I was going to keep things moving with a half-hour drive for treatment every day. Sport suspension in the car doesn't help in that regard. Normal laxatives don't have much effect. Appointment next week so not long to find out.

Good luck for your treatment I hope you get it sorted quickly

 

[carolyn]

Has always been the way that more blokes die WITH prostate cancer than OF it. And people are being diagnosed younger now - hence the old advice that there's no need to even bother before you are 50+ does NOT apply and more - esp if there is ANY hint of it in your past (and indeed, passed) family - so many of us just don't know.

In that past, OK granny's/grandad's death certificate may well have stated Heart failure. Well yeah, if your heart stops beating, you do die. But - what precisely caused the bugger to stop beating, then? My dad had an older sis and a younger one. The latter died when he was a child and had always, apparently, 'been sickly'. After which his mother began to decline, dying 'of heart failure' when he was 13-ish. Fast forward to 1972 when my dad and his big sister were both very much still alive but aged 22, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. My own big sis inherited that grandma's ginger hair. Have always wondered if I inherited diabetes genes ......

With Type 1 Diabetes there can be a genetic predisposition but it’s only a relatively small factor compared with all the other factors required. For most people there’s no FH at all. Son in law has been a diabetic since he was 11 and I have a degree in Human Genetics so I’m interested in this stuff as you can imagine!

 

[Spara4042]

Hi All,
I'm now a year post radiotherapy ( I opted to join a trial & had 5 equal doses over 12 days, rather than the standard 20 doses over 4 weeks).
A couple of questions, if I may:
1. Has anyone else experienced radiotherapy induced cystitis or proctitis?
2. If so, has any one got any suggestions on how to ease the symptoms?

I had a urology appointment back in February & have been referred for Cystoscopy but that has now been rescheduled from June to July.

I've tried decaf tea, bicarbonate of soda, vitamin C, D-Mannose, up to 4 litres of fluid a day & regular Ibuprofen but get little relief tbh.
After over 6 months of suffering, with the symptoms slowly getting worse, I'm hoping that someone on this fabulous forum may have the answers to resolving this problem

 

[rod_vw]

Hi All,
I'm now a year post radiotherapy ( I opted to join a trial & had 5 equal doses over 12 days, rather than the standard 20 doses over 4 weeks).
A couple of questions, if I may:
1. Has anyone else experienced radiotherapy induced cystitis or proctitis?
2. If so, has any one got any suggestions on how to ease the symptoms?

I had a urology appointment back in February & have been referred for Cystoscopy but that has now been rescheduled from June to July.

I've tried decaf tea, bicarbonate of soda, vitamin C, D-Mannose, up to 4 litres of fluid a day & regular Ibuprofen but get little relief tbh.
After over 6 months of suffering, with the symptoms slowly getting worse, I'm hoping that someone on this fabulous forum may have the answers to resolving this problem

I can't help you with this problem but have you tried the MacMillan Prostate Cancer Forum? There are folks on there who may be able to point you in the right direction.

Regarding the delay in your appointment, from experience a face to face discussion with those managing appointments can work wonders when telephone communication often fails to prompt them. I've had to do that twice during my journey through cancer treatment and both times it has worked for me.

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[Spara4042]

I can't help you with this problem but have you tried the MacMillan Prostate Cancer Forum? There are folks on there who may be able to point you in the right direction.

Regarding the delay in your appointment, from experience a face to face discussion with those managing appointments can work wonders when telephone communication often fails to prompt them. I've had to do that twice during my journey through cancer treatment and both times it has worked for me.

No, I've not tried the MacMillan forum but will certainly give it a look. Thanks for the heads up

As for the delay, it has been caused by "circumstances beyond their control". I'm currently in Spain but will be chasing them up once I get home at the end of the month.

 

[Folkranger]

Unfortunately in my case I already have a bowel condition and I have to perform self catheterisation three times a day as my bladder retention is very high oncology are concerned that if RT is used it could make it worse and long term they feel surgery is my best option.
On talking to the surgeon who showed me my MRI pictures and explained everything I could see a definite shadow of cancer and I feel it’s the right way for me to go it’s going to be Robotic surgery via keyhole and he was very reassuring and informative about the whole process he also told me that he suspects that I will still need to self catheterise as my bladder is twice normal size and walls are thin. I’m now on the list for surgery it’s around three months and I have to start hormone therapy soon.
My GP is investigating my bowel troubles but not very successfully. Watch this space

Mine was keyhole but not robotic.

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

Hi All,
I'm now a year post radiotherapy ( I opted to join a trial & had 5 equal doses over 12 days, rather than the standard 20 doses over 4 weeks).
A couple of questions, if I may:
1. Has anyone else experienced radiotherapy induced cystitis or proctitis?
2. If so, has any one got any suggestions on how to ease the symptoms?

I had a urology appointment back in February & have been referred for Cystoscopy but that has now been rescheduled from June to July.

I've tried decaf tea, bicarbonate of soda, vitamin C, D-Mannose, up to 4 litres of fluid a day & regular Ibuprofen but get little relief tbh.
After over 6 months of suffering, with the symptoms slowly getting worse, I'm hoping that someone on this fabulous forum may have the answers to resolving this problem

I would ask my GP about using Naproxen instead of ibuprofen. My OH was prescribed it because it's less harsh on the stomach etc.
I expect carolyn will comment if she sees this thread.

 

[BusyBuilder]

I'm on my prostate cancer treatment route now. I'm getting hormone injections every 6 months and radiography is scheduled for September, Raigmore (Inverness) have a new radiography machine that blasts the cancer with pinpoint accuracy, and I'll get a 5 minute dose for 7 consecutive days.

I saw the cancer specialist on Thursday and recommended Abiratone (Zytiga) hormone treatment, but after reading the leaflets he gave me and the extensive list of side effects I'm wondering if I should take it. Has anyone on here been on that drug ?

 

[rod_vw]

I'm on my prostate cancer treatment route now. I'm getting hormone injections every 6 months and radiography is scheduled for September, Raigmore (Inverness) have a new radiography machine that blasts the cancer with pinpoint accuracy, and I'll get a 5 minute dose for 7 consecutive days.

I saw the cancer specialist on Thursday and recommended Abiratone (Zytiga) hormone treatment, but after reading the leaflets he gave me and the extensive list of side effects I'm wondering if I should take it. Has anyone on here been on that drug ?

If you are not on there already I would suggest that you go to the MacMillan Prostate Cancer Forum and ask the same question. There are lots of us on the prostate cancer journey on that forum and many with a considerable knowledge of the treatment options.

I was on Prostap for a bit less than sixteen months, my last three month 'jab' was in late October 2024 so 'ended' mid January. To date (early May 2025) I am still having the hot flushed and suffer almost 100% ED. My profile detailing my journey through from first test to current is available on the above forum.

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[DavidG58]

I'm on my prostate cancer treatment route now. I'm getting hormone injections every 6 months and radiography is scheduled for September, Raigmore (Inverness) have a new radiography machine that blasts the cancer with pinpoint accuracy, and I'll get a 5 minute dose for 7 consecutive days.

I saw the cancer specialist on Thursday and recommended Abiratone (Zytiga) hormone treatment, but after reading the leaflets he gave me and the extensive list of side effects I'm wondering if I should take it. Has anyone on here been on that drug ?

I am on a different one , Pro stap I think but sorry can’t help, other than every Med has a massive list of possible side effects , at some point we have to trust the ‘experts’

 

[The general]

I'm on my prostate cancer treatment route now. I'm getting hormone injections every 6 months and radiography is scheduled for September, Raigmore (Inverness) have a new radiography machine that blasts the cancer with pinpoint accuracy, and I'll get a 5 minute dose for 7 consecutive days.

I saw the cancer specialist on Thursday and recommended Abiratone (Zytiga) hormone treatment, but after reading the leaflets he gave me and the extensive list of side effects I'm wondering if I should take it. Has anyone on here been on that drug ?

I can only speak on my experiences , all side effects dont affect everyone ,its a very individual thing , i wouldn’t hesitate to tell guys to take the HT it works in starving the cancer ready for RT ,i used the NHS site and prostrate uk site and the MacMillan centre at Southampton general , that was enough info otherwise you get swamped with info that you cant take it all in .

 

[Nirvanauk]

I agree with the above. If the specialist recommends it then take it. I did what they suggested and am cancer free 4 years on. Yes, I’ve had side effects but hey, ho I’m alive and well.

 

[Spara4042]

I would ask my GP about using Naproxen instead of ibuprofen. My OH was prescribed it because it's less harsh on the stomach etc.
I expect carolyn will comment if she sees this thread.

I'm currently in Spain & I've only recently started using Ibuprofen, after reading that it might help with the inflammation.
Tbh I'm not sure that any of them are making much difference.
As a former Community Paramedic, I'm aware that Naproxen is now the preferred drug & will have that discussion when I see my GP at the end of the month

 

[pagey]

I was on prostap I had my last one on 6th Feb I was told I would lose the excess weight I've put on but I would not regain the muscle loss it could take up to a year or more. On a side note if you are feeling very tired and fatigued get your blood checked by your gp as I was very tired and it appears female hormones can lower your b12 levels this has happened to me I am now having 6 injections 1 every 2 days and then folates to get back to normal, I have had 3 now and I feel better already

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[rod_vw]

I was on prostap I had my last one on 6th Feb I was told I would lose the excess weight I've put on but I would not regain the muscle loss it could take up to a year or more. On a side note if you are feeling very tired and fatigued get your blood checked by your gp as I was very tired and it appears female hormones can lower your b12 levels this has happened to me I am now having 6 injections 1 every 2 days and then folates to get back to normal, I have had 3 now and I feel better already

If your last implant was 6th Feb assuming that it was a three month version you are only just approaching the run-out of the effects of that implant. I'm now almost seven months from my last implant and not yet noticed any reduction in the weight that I put on (only just over half a stone) still have almost as many hot flushes and certainly no improvement in the erectile dysfunction. Having discussed the latter situation on the McMillan prostate cancer forum I have now been advised by my oncologist to take Taladafil 5mg daily which has been prescribed by my GP. That has only been the case for seven days so too early to see any improvement!
As I'm well on the way to be reaching 77 I attribute much of the muscle loss to my age but do my best to keep reasonably fit. The up-coming six weeks in the camper in Europe may see some general improvements, fingers crossed.