Prostate Cancer

[frank rabbets]

Post on Fred Dibnah's death from prostate cancer prompts me to post this even if it only helps one person to avoid death from PC. Early detection is the key. Having had prostate cancer for 13 years I've had no symptoms, and treatments have had no effect on my health nor quality of life.

My friend was diagnosed with somewhat advanced PC aged 58 in 2004. Symptoms were he could not urinate due to gradual blockage. He said had he been diagnosed earlier he would defo had been a lot better off.

After chatting to my GP, who through car work is a close friend, I decided to have a PSA test done in 2004. That came back a bit high, 9 instead of 0-4. Biopsies confirmed I had a very early stage but aggressive PC so I had radiation which failed and then Hifu which failed. I now find myself on Hormone therapy which makes me a bit tired but a 70 YO perhaps that's what would have happened anyway. Newer treatment is available to me this year. Had I not had the PSA test done I would be dead by now.

The point is as there are no initial symptoms, if someone wants to avoid PC becoming advanced they could ask for PSA test which is not very accurate but could alert them to possible disease and they would be able to opt for biopsies which may come back normal or positive which is the only definitive test.

 

[Shayne]

Well said Frank , i'm firmly in the fools camp who fear the test more than the diagnoses which brings new meaning to the saying dying of shame . Fortunately with no family history i have 5 years to pluck up courage for the test but when the time comes i will because i would be a coward not to .

 

[StarCruiser]

Hmmm, I can see this being the start of a somewhat tricky patch in life, like driving into a fog bank. You don't know what lies ahead, it may be good, it may not. I'm beginning to get little pangs of fear of old age. With this sort of thing looming despite being 21 inside, I feel I'm no longer young.

 

[clivehorridge]

Well Frank, your well intended and very wise words prompt me to realize it's time I woke up to reality.

I suppose it's a matter of prioritising actions, meaning this PSA test should come before the long overdue dental check up (and the certain treatment needed) and all my other nagging ailments that nobody on this forum should be exposed to.

Thank you, good advice (especially as a friend of mine has just undergone successful surgery for the very same complaint and advises the very same tests).

WAKE UP, AND WISE UP, SELF

Thanks Frank.

 

[Dave2000]

I had the PSA test a couple of years ago, it was to aid in diagnosing some other problem which like Clive I think forum members should be protected from.

Thankfully it was a super low no issue result but, it did save me the indignity of having the digit exam.

Do it and do it now, as per Frank's advice. It is a quick blood test (and yes I hate needles as well), you will have your answer in a few days.

Regards

Dave

 

[lc 120]

Keep saying I will get round to it, following Frank's comments I now will get round to it this week....

 

[frank rabbets]

As the population ages prostate cancer is becoming more and more common. We don't realise we are going to live longer than our parents. If my friend had not talked me through the story I would have known nothing about it.

Since I was diagnosed in 2004 treatment has gone on in leaps and bounds and as my disease was very early present treatment would have defo got rid of it. Now however damage has been done to that area so this new treatment is not now an option for me. Other new treatments are though.

NHS takes very pessimistic approach. I was told after confirmation that I had prostate cancer this would be unpleasant and life changing. It's been neither. My friend is also still alive and is living a 95% normal life still working.

Neither my friend nor I had any family history but our relatives could have had this disease and died younger of something else without realising.

 

[Rosy]

The temporary indignity of the old fashioned "finger" is worth the chance of finding issues early. I am grateful every single day that my father had his caught early and that he is still with us to talk about it.

 

[Graham]

1 day after I turned 60, I got an envelope from NHS.
Had to poop on some cardboard sticks, and date them, for 3 or 4 days running.

I think they check for possible blood in the poop.

Fortunately all clear for me.

Several years ago, about 4 Years actually, I went for the vacectomy reversal.
( yeah, more babies planned, should know better at my age )
I was some what surprised at the rubber gloved finger up the bum, as a pre-check for something, think it was a check for swollen bum glands !
I think that was prostate gland checking

Gra.

 

[lc 120]

I also have had the envelope from the NHS, was that to check on prostate cancer?

 

[Graham]

I also have had the envelope from the NHS, was that to check on prostate cancer?

I feel pretty sure it was.

Gra.

 

[frank rabbets]

The poo test is for possible bowel cancer only. Again I do mine every time asked.

The finger exam of the prostate now means nothing. It can feel lumpy and that may be cancer also there could be cancer there but very small. Mine at present is .05 cc.