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Prostate Cancer
Was diagnosed with it first week of Feb after a rise in my PSA levels, I'd had annual tests for the past 5 years following a change in peeing habits, prostate was enlarged and treated accordingly to help with the peeing, the levels prior to 2022 fell within acceptable levels and it's something that can increase with age as can the size of the prostate, I'm 63 now.
On holiday last September I had an increase in trips to the loo at night, returned home and arranged a test and the level was 4.9, the previous one was 3.8 and for those not already aware the trigger for further investigation is 4. The DR didn't seem too concerned and referred me for an MRI at Worthing Hospital, 3 weeks later I chased this up with a different GP and he put me on the 2 week referral and within a week I had an MRI scan and 3 weeks later I had a letter saying that a biopsy was advised and arranged for early Jan, an unpleasant experience but I've had more painful trips to the dentist. Another agonising wait before the news that I had it but thankfully confined within the prostate and this gave me 3 options, prostate removal and 2 types of radiation treatment, if you choose the radiation treatment you then can't have the prostate removal, I chose removal using Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy that is performed at the Royal Surrey Guildford. I was called for consultation on the 14th Feb and told I was suitable for the op, had pre op assessment on the same day because they were considerate of the distance involved. I was given an estimate of 4 weeks until surgery but 3 days later on Fri they asked if I wanted to go in on Monday! In for 7.15am, out at 8.30pm and home before 10pm. They called me at 11pm to check and again at 8am in the morning, I can't speak highly enough of the teams there. And what a piece of kit that robot is. 1 week into 2 weeks rest now, no lifting and no driving for another 2/3 weeks. Tomorrow is a week since the op and when I remove the Catheter tube myself, seriously though it's straight forward and no need for a return visit to remove it. I have plenty of follow up appointments to do, PSA is still checked and any suspicious areas can be addressed with radiation. I know there is good awareness out there about PC, this thread was just to highlight it specifically on the BBS. I read today that trials of a blood test for PC are very encouraging, currently the only way to diagnose is biopsy. Give yourselves the chance of all the options and..... GET CHECKED OUT CHAPS !!!!!! Last edited by Penstone Eagle; 26-02-2023 at 09:52 PM. |
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Thanks for the thread Penstone, and sharing your experience. All the best to you. 👍
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Best of luck buddy. Xx
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Lance Corporal - Never Had it So Good Brigade |
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Good luck on the recovery
I've had similar night time issues and several physical exams and blood tests Question can you have normal relations after the op you had ?
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not here for a long time. better have a good time |
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Thanks for the story PE. Like you I have annual checkups but, unlike you, just because I feel I should. I have neither sign nor symptom and my checkups show that I'm currently in good nick. Even so, it is important to get those yearly checks once you hit your half century and I endorse what you say. I hope your recovery is smooth and easy.
On a related note, in October my wife got a very special 57th birthday present - breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy in November. They found pre-cancer at the margins of the removed tissue so she had a second op in December. There were still DCIS at the margins of that one so she had a third op at the start of February. Guess what? More DCIS so she now has to have a full mastectomy. That will be my birthday present for March. Fortunately, it has not spread to her lymphatic system. However, as a corollary to PE's call to "Get checked out chaps" ... Get checked out lasses.
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I’m dreading stuff like this having just hit 60. Good luck & ta for info.
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Must Haves....1 Absolutely Super to Haves....0 |
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Thanks for sharing, Penstone, and best of luck. Great that you seem to have caught it at a very manageable stage.
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Good advice and all the best going forward Penstone.
Did they give you the Pros and Cons of the 3 treatment options? (I'm sure they did). Or was it left to you to research that decision? (Which I'm sure you also did) |
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Hope you get the all clear that 3 of my pals have had recently. The treatment and care they have all had has been first rate. Good wishes.
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All the very, very best Penstone.
And well done for raising awareness on here.
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“Supporting Palace has a certain cult value – like pretending that some Peruvian rock band is the best in the world.” - John Peel |
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Quote:
Varying results I understand, think the old blue pill is used. A lot depends on where the tumour is, the consultant said there was a good clearance between the tumour and the relevant nerve that affects erection, and with the increased accuracy of robot arms and instruments, then I've had the best treatment and a chance of the best outcome. |
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Best wishes to your wife. |
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All the best Penstone.
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"Be under no illusion that the reality of what I'm saying is the fact of the matter." |
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Sorry to hear about your wife Hugh.
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"Be under no illusion that the reality of what I'm saying is the fact of the matter." |
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Best wishes to Penstone and Hugh's wife
Stay positive
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And here's Rogers ... Will this be five? It's gonna be five ... It is five! |
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Removal. Targeted Radiation Brackiotherapy - radiation planted into the prostate and left to do it's thing. Once radiation has been applied then the option to remove the prostate has gone. Depending on the stage and gleason score and possibly your age, then you may get a 'watchful waiting option' and regularly tested maybe every 6 months. Gleason score marks the potential rate of growth of cells, graded 1-5. so in my case I had a score of 6 made up of 3 and 3, so all cells not growing overly quickly, but quickly enough. A score of 4 and 3 would mean more cells were growing at a rate of 4, 3 and 4 would suggest less of the quicker growing cells are present. Gleason grades of 1 and 2 are more likely to suggest that can do the 'watchful waiting' as they are growing more slowly. The prostate removal option is offered providing you are well and under 70. The above is my own understanding of what I was told at consultation, really happy for someone with qualifications to put me right if needed. |
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The threshold has now been changed to 3.5 from 4; source: i tested 3.58, so the quack sent me off for tests. All ok for now, but thank feck when the doctor spoke about testing PSA that I agreed this was a good course of action. Will be getting regular tests from hereforth.
Thanks for posting this OP, Men should be aware that over the age of 50, they should be getting checked regularly. The prostate continues to grow in most men and in fact 80% of sufferers of PC are in their 80's; also, one in 4 black people get in at some stage in their life, a huge number, so if you are in this group then I would suggest some further research. It's treatable, very treatable if caught early, so keep an eye out on it and make sure you get tested. |
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Best wishes and thanks for sharing.
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"F**k the Pope". __________________ A Message From CPFC2010 |
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Best wishes to your wife also hughff, and yourself also. Carer's and partners, families need support during these difficult times also.
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I sort of have a follow-up question... I'm 67 and at least once a year when seeing my doctor, he gives me the "finger" test... now I don't know if he enjoys doing this or thinks I do, but that's for another thread... He usually says something like, "Your prostate is normal for someone your age". I don't recall having had a PSA blood test for years. I guess my question is (And I appreciate this is a question for my doctor not a football fans bulletin board) is an enlarged prostate an indicator of possible cancer, and only a blood test or biopsy a true indicator. I'm assuming most men's prostrate enlarges as they get older, hence the increase in bathroom visits. It would seem I should be asking my doctor for a PSA test at this juncture of my life. |
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