Prostrate C , Let's revive this thread eh ,

[smashbashcrash]

Where to start , firstly i am terrified of needles so much so i would not go for my heart attack check's /for blood test's , i know the needle dont hurt but there it is , anyway last year something did not just feel right , up often in the night and feeling something like being sat on a tennis ball between your dangly bit's and bum , anyway i chugged along until March this year , then went to doc's , straight to hospital all the stuff that goes with it , within 1 week i had an implant and a bucket of pills , then the reality came and kicked me up the arse , it had broke lose and gone to 1 lung and some ribs they can not cure it but with lots of meds they can try hold it back and stop it spreading further , the med's are doing their job , p s a down from 154 to .43 , they say i am responding well to medication , THE NEEDLES ARE GETTING A BIT EASIER , I HAVE TO HAVE BLOODS EVERY MONTH NOW , AND A NEW TABLET INSTEAD OF IMPLANT , SO all you Men that dont like needles , you have to go checked out at least once a year , DO NOT do what i did , i now take 1 pill at 6 am , 4 at 8am , and 6 at 10 am , i feel better in myself , so much so ,we bought a new to us Motorhome last week , we collect 11th July and setting off on 12th July , Consultant said it could be years yet before i hit the big highway , fingers crossed eh ,

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Good to hear your on the up as it were and trust you will enjoy your new to you van.
Prostate cancer is a big awakening call. I hope your very brave post causes some folks to rethink and get tested.

 

[big bertha]

Husband going through radiotherapy at the moment it's only day4 but ok so far unfortunately we're are also looking after grandkids so a lot of driving involved. His psa was 136 but now negligible. He has been on hormones since December.

 

[Jewellbags]

My dad dies at 67 from this disease and because I look just like him I’ve been getting mine check since I was 50 . I don’t like needles either but it’s a small price to pay and to be honest the finger up the bum check I had done yesterday was a lot less pleasant for the very pretty lady doctor than it was for me ;-)

Get checked , stay alive

 

[fishplug]

Needles don't bother me.

My uncle retired and within a few weeks had pain when riding his motorbike on some cobbled roads....

It was prostate cancer and he endured years of pain and misery before finally dying. So much for retirement.

My dad lived in fear of this and said he'd rather shoot himself than go through what my uncle went through.

He got brain, liver and lung cancer but had been hospitalised before the diagnosis. It was untreatable but he ultimately died quickly and without pain.

I can't begin do describe the feeling when clearing his house to find my grandad's shotgun loaded and in my dad's bedroom.

He wasn't kidding.

I spoke to my doc and they're not going to start testing me yet.

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[Cush]

Was just thinking about this today. How often should we be getting checked? Think I was “fingered” 2 years ago

 

[Figaro]

Lots of info on this thread

Prostate cancer. A useful resource.

Jim (would you consider making this post a sticky in an appropriate place? I wouldn’t normally expect one forum to promote another, but I wonder if, in this case, it might be acceptable. I’m a bit of an evangelist about promoting early checks for discovering PC. I’m a survivor of 3 1/2 years...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[jollyrodger]

Unfortunately we have had it in the family -4 lost to the big C so far eldest bro had bowel cancer and prostate removed and now wearing a bag.
Next bro (funster still I believe ) diagnoes with prostate says he has no probs urinating, has had the finger ,mri, and bone density scan and clear
Awaiting results of biopsy now .hopefully that comes back clear.
I had a PSA test a week or so back .all clear.
Retest in 12mths when annual bloods get taken.

Don't hang around dithering . Have the test only a little prick


Im told

 

[fishplug]

Was just thinking about this today. How often should we be getting checked? Think I was “fingered” 2 years ago

Blood test these days as I understand it.

 

[jollyrodger]

PSA Blood Test, you wont be invited to have it by Dr apparently.
You have to request it and they are then obliged to test for free on NHS.

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[Freo]

Both tests are complementary, I believe.

My family has a history of prostate cancer (father and older brother) and I was diagnosed with a benign enlargement of the prostate around 20 years ago. Consequently, I keep an eye on my prostate health. (Not literally, because my neck would hurt too much - even so, some would still accuse me of having my head up my arse. )

I’ve been told by my GP that the PSA (blood) test can be unreliable in that it can flag both false positives and false negatives. Having said that, since age 50, I have insisted upon an annual PSA test as a minimum. I treat the results as:
a) “no/very little change” = no worries
b) “significant change since last reading” = further investigation required.
In my own case, following one annual test, my PSA had risen only slightly, but was now deemed to be over the normal limit. Because of this, my GP had arranged for a visit to my local Urology department. Here I underwent a flow test (simply peeing in a bucket - no needles nor finger tests required) followed by an interview with an Urology consultant who arranged for me to have an MRI scan. The MRI scan will reveal any tumours, or the distinct lack of them. In my own case, I was given the all clear from anything more serious than the benign enlargement which had been diagnosed many years before.

The finger test is a quick and crude method to reveal whether:
a) there are any concerns re unnatural lumps in the prostate = possible tumour;
b) no lumps, but a swollen, aka ‘enlarged’, prostate. This is a very common condition in older (although, these days, increasingly younger, I’m told,) men. It is not life threatening and is sometimes referred to as a ‘benign enlargement of the prostate’. At its worst, this enlargement can choke off urine flow completely. Should this happen, then a simple TURP operation would normally be needed to fix.

Most importantly, though, if you suspect any issues at all with your prostate, then the earlier you get it checked the better, would be my advice. From what I’ve read, the recovery rates from early diagnosis cases are very good. So, do yourself a huge favour, please do not delay.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Yes chaps it's always worth getting a checkup. My FIL goes into hospital on Monday to have his prostate removed! A healthy 80 year old who plays golf 6 days a week. He's the type of old soldier who never gets ill or goes to the doctors, never complains. However he watched a TV advert about prostate cancer about 4-5 weeks ago and could relate to the symptoms described. So he booked an appointment at docs then given a scan....sadly he has prostate cancer! Fingers crossed he gets through on Monday as my 11 son adores him as do we all!
The symptoms that he could relate to were reduced pissing power and feeling tired.
We always joked John is like a cockroach, never ill, he never got COVID, he'd survive a nuclear war.

 

[Sue and Rick]

So I had a newly qualified nurse probably 25-30 ish stuck her finger where the sun doesn't shine because I felt not so good down there. It was piles but I don't care who looks or prods, if it's doesn't feel right please go and see a doctor guys and girls.

 

[Freo]

Yes chaps it's always worth getting a checkup. My FIL goes into hospital on Monday to have his prostate removed! A healthy 80 year old who plays golf 6 days a week. He's the type of old soldier who never gets ill or goes to the doctors, never complains. However he watched a TV advert about prostate cancer about 4-5 weeks ago and could relate to the symptoms described. So he booked an appointment at docs then given a scan....sadly he has prostate cancer! Fingers crossed he gets through on Monday as my 11 son adores him as do we all!
The symptoms that he could relate to were reduced pissing power and feeling tired.
We always joked John is like a cockroach, never ill, he never got COVID, he'd survive a nuclear war.

Very best wishes to your FIL for the best of outcomes.

 

[rod_vw]

Needles don't bother me.

My uncle retired and within a few weeks had pain when riding his motorbike on some cobbled roads....

It was prostate cancer and he endured years of pain and misery before finally dying. So much for retirement.

My dad lived in fear of this and said he'd rather shoot himself than go through what my uncle went through.

He got brain, liver and lung cancer but had been hospitalised before the diagnosis. It was untreatable but he ultimately died quickly and without pain.

I can't begin do describe the feeling when clearing his house to find my grandad's shotgun loaded and in my dad's bedroom.

He wasn't kidding.

I spoke to my doc and they're not going to start testing me yet.

If you have any worries don't take any notice of your GP, demand a PSA test!

My GP surgery tried to tell me that they didn't do PSA tests on demand but I quoted NHS guidelines and had the first test the next day, that was 14th March 2023. To cut a long story short, I'm now ten months post radiotherapy and looking at a PSA level of less than 0.03.

There is lots of support and information on the Macmillan Prostate Cancer Forum where all sufferers and their partners will be made most welcome.

I wish you well.

Rod

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[Nirvanauk]

I don’t suppose we could keep this to the one thread already running please?

 

[Oldrat]

fishplug

Fil, the GP can decline to do a test and not put you on the pathway unless you have serious worry or anxiety.

I’m now 5 yrs clear of C last month after having prostatectomy and I’d recommend that you have another chat and explain your concerns.

All the MacMillan nurses were moaning that there should be a screening program.

 

[fishplug]

I'm not actually all that concerned, but there's family 'history' and I'm getting to that sort of age....

...I'll ask again next time I'm in.

 

[rod_vw]

I'm not actually all that concerned, but there's family 'history' and I'm getting to that sort of age....

...I'll ask again next time I'm in.

Family history is one of the things that should enable you to get tested. My two sons are one either side of fifty and had no problem in getting tested after I had been diagnosed.

It's definitely a case of not taking no for an answer!

 

[rod_vw]

Jim is there a way that you could move this discussion into the other long running one? Your decision of course.

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[Dall]

I lost my Dad to cancer at 61 and I had significant Prostate Cancer at 55. My son had his first test at 40 and will continue to be tested.
Better to be tested safe, than sorry and find out too late..........

 

[olley]

I've been having mine done by CHAPS a prostate charity over last 5 years, they hold testing events all over the country, well worth the £25 it costs I think.

CHAPS

chaps.uk.com

 

[Emmit]

I'm not actually all that concerned, but there's family 'history' and I'm getting to that sort of age....

...I'll ask again next time I'm in.

Are you one of those "young fellas?"
If you have a family history, (and an uncle sibling to your Mum or Dad is a relative for these purposes) and you are 45 yes old or older, go back to the Dr. and INSIST!!! on a test.

 

[Emmit]

I'm not actually all that concerned, but there's family 'history' and I'm getting to that sort of age....

...I'll ask again next time I'm in.

Be concerned, even if it is peace of mind for those around you.

 

[Emmit]

Both tests are complementary, I believe.

My family has a history of prostate cancer (father and older brother) and I was diagnosed with a benign enlargement of the prostate around 20 years ago. Consequently, I keep an eye on my prostate health. (Not literally, because my neck would hurt too much - even so, some would still accuse me of having my head up my arse. )

I’ve been told by my GP that the PSA (blood) test can be unreliable in that it can flag both false positives and false negatives. Having said that, since age 50, I have insisted upon an annual PSA test as a minimum. I treat the results as:
a) “no/very little change” = no worries
b) “significant change since last reading” = further investigation required.
In my own case, following one annual test, my PSA had risen only slightly, but was now deemed to be over the normal limit. Because of this, my GP had arranged for a visit to my local Urology department. Here I underwent a flow test (simply peeing in a bucket - no needles nor finger tests required) followed by an interview with an Urology consultant who arranged for me to have an MRI scan. The MRI scan will reveal any tumours, or the distinct lack of them. In my own case, I was given the all clear from anything more serious than the benign enlargement which had been diagnosed many years before.

The finger test is a quick and crude method to reveal whether:
a) there are any concerns re unnatural lumps in the prostate = possible tumour;
b) no lumps, but a swollen, aka ‘enlarged’, prostate. This is a very common condition in older (although, these days, increasingly younger, I’m told,) men. It is not life threatening and is sometimes referred to as a ‘benign enlargement of the prostate’. At its worst, this enlargement can choke off urine flow completely. Should this happen, then a simple TURP operation would normally be needed to fix.

Most importantly, though, if you suspect any issues at all with your prostate, then the earlier you get it checked the better, would be my advice. From what I’ve read, the recovery rates from early diagnosis cases are very good. So, do yourself a huge favour, please do not delay.

That, (above,) if I may say so, is as comprehensive a post on the subject as you are EVER going to read.
Well done that Funster.

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[KASPAR]

There is a very informative thread running: https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...a-useful-resource.293825/page-28#post-6389669

My post 833 in that thread gives my story.

I'd been having PSA tests since I was 25. I never had a DRE (Digital Rectal Examination). At 60, 92 days from requesting a PSA due to concerns to removal of my prostate by Radical Prostatectomy. I am now cancer free.

Age is no determinate of PC.

Insist on a PSA.

 

[Al n Val]

So i'm taking tablets for enlarged prostrate and due a bloodtest this coming Aug, reading this thread i've just rang to doctor to see if this test included a PSA rest and it didn't

It does now so thanks for everyone contributing to this thread, you just may have saved my life

 

[trophychap]

fishplug go back to your GP and demand to be tested!! it costs the surgery about £10 from the local path lab.

Is that all the doctor thinks your life is worth?

You are entitled to be tested never mind about false positives or negatives the results will be followed up! Please don't ignore it!

My prostatectomy was ten years ago now, and I also had radiotherapy as my PSA started to climb again within a month of the original op, a small amount of infected tissue must have been missed. MY PSA is now, and has been since finishing the Radiography course less than 0.001%.

 

[Freo]

So i'm taking tablets for enlarged prostrate and due a bloodtest this coming Aug, reading this thread i've just rang to doctor to see if this test included a PSA rest and it didn't

It does now so thanks for everyone contributing to this thread, you just may have saved my life

The only logic some of them seem to comprehend is one of budgets and costs - and, of course, timed appointment slots, where one can’t have a discussion about one’s health for over the allocated time.
Given that you’re on medication already, how could they possibly refuse a routine PSA test?
Please insist that they do a PSA as part of your routine blood tests - and good luck.

 

[BrianHHill]

Ask for a PSA test!!! I did and it was raised. That was followed by a MRI and Biopsy which revealed a low level cancer. Now on active surveillance and regular follow ups. The importance of the testing cannot be over stressed as if caught early, treatment is possible. Best wishes to all those that have the problem.

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