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I’ve been for a scan on my prostate and they found something but their not sure what it is. They have left it to me to decide whether I will get a biopsy or not. The doctor gave me the option of regular blood tests, every six months, to check my PSA levels or a biopsy.
He went through the possible problems with a biopsy which weren’t too major but he hinted the blood tests were the route he would suggest.
So just wondering if anyone has been in the Same situation and how it worked out.
The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.
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Sorry to hear that Brydo. My dad has advanced prostrate cancer (Dr should have done PSA every year but, didn’t include it on form)
He had a biopsy but, can’t remember much but, can ask later if you want. He wasn’t given a choice as his PSA was over 400 when first diagnosed. Dad has regular PSA tests now every 3 months and is on hormone injections every three months and tablets daily. It was nearly 6yrs ago when he was first diagnosed and he’s nearly 86 now.
Lets hopes your scan turns out to be possitive 🙂
All info here mate
https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/prostate-tests/prostate-biopsy
Cheers kezo 👍
The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.Hey Brydo,
Sorry to hear your watch and wait diagnosis. But the PSA tests only give an indication that something is not right. Only 1 in 5 Biopsies show any problems.
But the biopsy is the ONLY way to know if you have prostate cancer or not. If its a positive result the cancer is staged and you will be given a gleason score.
I got to say the Biopsy is not one of the most pleasant experiences, but one thing for sure, you will know if your prostate has a problem or not.
Probably better knowing than NOT knowing, as it will always be in the back of your mind.
Like Kozois dad, it was academic in my case.
My first appointmenmt with the Urology consultant, he said, ‘If you are going to get a cancer, prostate is the best one’. mmmmm.
But of course he is correct, Firstly they know exactly how the treatment is progressing and PSA tests let them know what is happening.
15 years ago prostate cancer was difficult to treat, but they have made huge strides in the past couple of decades.
If diagnosed, the urology team are excellent, and prostate cancer is not the demon it used to be and is very treatable.
But like everything else – if you notice a change in your waterworks, do not delay and go talk to your Doctor, a simple blood test can make a HUGE difference.
If I was you Brydo, I would go for a biopsy given what I went through. You wont have that worry if its cancerous or not.
A quick update Brydo, it wasn’t a biopsy my dad had as consultant didn’t recomend but, a finger up the bum, where they were able to feel the the cancer.
That may be different for you, as like I said his PSA was in the 400’s at the time of diagnosis. It is now 1.5!
Dad had was initially on a hormone injection every 12 weeks, which kept the levels under control for 18 – 24 months (can’t rember). He was then put on a new 3 monthly hormone injection and the latest medication, which is keeping the cancer from growing anywhere else. His Oncologist said there are other treatments available when and if needed, so its testiment on how things have advanced and how they don’t give up on you as Berty said. He aso had radiothereapy at one point.
Sadly my dad had too much trust in his GP and it had sadly spread beyond his prostrate by the time he was diagnosed. At nearly 86 he is fit and otherwise healthy apart from a back pain where his cancer caused a disk to collapse, so he uses a rollator and can’t stay standed for very long but, the pain goes when he sits dowm.
The good news you have caught it early if it is cancerous and your prognosis will be better. Hopefully its just an enlarged prostrate you have. Either way like my dad your live as normal live as can be with no effect on your lifespan 🙂
Its quite sad that no one else has chipped in to help Brydo.
Given that 1 in 8 males will develop prostate cancer, there are a lot of people on the forum that choose to keep quiet.
I find that in the older generarion, they say nothing about serious life threatening illness, it is just how they were brought up. People will attend their funeral and wonder what they died of….but they kept quiet throughout their illness. There is no shame having this dreadful disease. its not as if its the clap.
I tell every man and his dog about my illness.
Indeed, I have about 6 people who have said, after our conversation, they went to their doctor and had a PSA test. Only one had a problem and its being attended to.
I like that.
We had a strong Prostate cancer network meeting, indeed -when I first attended I thought I had walked into the wrong cancer group. There were more women than men.
When dealing with cancer, its your family, your support group that make a huge difference. I believe the spouse and family members have a more difficult time, they want to help.
When you have prostate cancer – you just got to get on with it.
The prostate treatments buy you time, to live as you normally would. 20 years ago it was different.
Kezo, your dad is doing well, they have the disease under control, I hope you are dealing with it OK.
BTW – the hormone treatment is brutal….the side effects occasionally turn you upside down.
Thanks for the info guys.
I was getting my yearly not at the doctor, usual bloods taken, blood pressure etc and, I don’t know why, I asked the nurse to include my PSA. The nurse agreed and the following week I got a call from the doctor saying my PSA was 5.7 and should be below 4.0. So they wanted to retest a month later. The second test was 4.7 but still too high. Next was the finger up the bum, not even a glass of wine before hand lol. Doctor says prostrate is enlarged and a bit hard at one side. Doctor said that is not a good sign so scan was organised.
The doctor who called after the scan said there is a range of 1-5 after the scan where 1 and 2 are fine but 4 and 5 are cancer but mine was 3 so not not cancer but not not nothing if that makes sense lol.
So after speaking to my family it looks like I “might”ask for the biopsy and get it over and done with but will speak to my GP first 😔
The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.Kezo, your dad is doing well, they have the disease under control, I hope you are dealing with it OK. BTW – the hormone treatment is brutal….the side effects occasionally turn you upside down.
I have my moments Berty but, we are a very close family. He has had a healthy life up till he was 80 and in the grand scheme of things still does and if it wasn’t for his back he’d be as fit as a fiddle. Even at the time of diagnosis the Oncologist said how young and fit he looked, which I expect helped with continuing treatment and I expect it will be old age in the end, rather than the cancer.
Like you, my dad shouts from the rooftop to anyone he meets to get a PSA test. I’m automatically tested annualy now as to be honest it runs in the family but, my dad like most of that age was stubborn untill he was made to go to the Dr’s. If only…..
Dad has hot sweats with the hormone injections 🙂
So after speaking to my family it looks like I “might”ask for the biopsy and get it over and done with but will speak to my GP first
Its good your involving your family and taking advice 🙂
Sorry to hear of your worry Brydo, my father’s count was up about 8 year ago and eventually had a prostrate biopsy done at a day clinic at Hairmyers Hospital and although it was slightly unpleasant it came back as o.k. although they did keep an eye on his count which they eventually stopped (I think due to age rather than anything else). But he has now turned 90 and is still O.K. but as someone who is a bit of a worrier, the biopsy did give him piece of mind.
So I would suggest you are doing exactly the right thing and it is either going to give you piece of mind or if anything is wrong, it will be better to catch it as soon as possible, but hopefully everything will be o.k. as most men have a slight problem with their prostrate when they get older. So good luck.
Guess it’s only natural to worry at any result that isn’t quite right, the only experience I had was my father in law, certain age, check, problem, operation (uncomfortable during recovery) all is well to this day Brydo..
I hear lots of talk of how more advanced things are now, guess it’s not much help, but a positive out come for my F I Law..
Best of luck..
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