A few weeks ago my GP phoned and said my PSA was slightly up and asked my agreement to attent the local prostate clinic. A agreed was was alarmed that she sounded upset. When I got to the clinic in less than a week I found my PSA was 18 and had been 10 two years earlier. rectal examination showed some slight irregularity and a and MRI scan was followed by a biopsy.
I am now very anxious and awaiting a review at the clinc next week. From my gathering of information so far I feel I have to steel myself for very bad news. Am I being foolish?
George
The important thing to remember is prostate cancer is slow growing and very common with a wide variety of treatments right down to watch and wait. There is no need to rush into anything. Get all the facts then you can make your decision. It is a well worn path you are on so please do your best to take it one step at a time.
I am 56 and had a radical protectomy some 4 months ago. I had various options and choose this one.
all the best
mike
Thank you Miketytus. That is sensible. Indeed I have read of that and if there is cancer and if it is the slow type I might well not live long enough (I am 73) for any prostate cancer to be a problem. I am having a blue day as I wait to learn what the biopsy will reveal. As in all things, it is not sensible to cross bridges before you reach them. But tell that to my emotions – they are not as sensible as my head. I shall play some Mozart on my piano. That will sooth me. Again, thank you.
Hi George, I know it's hard not to worry but the fact is many things can cause those symptoms. In the event of it being infected the treatment is very good and you have a number of options. I have just come out of hospital following my prostectomy, for me it was the best option. I also had a count of 18 but it was contained, my decision was easy, remove it and carry on with my life. Hope your results go well for you.
Beachy
I am not an expert on prostate cancer, so won't reply with any specific information. But, as per the other comments from Mike and Beachy, I would encourage you to not worry, even though that's obviously easier said than done. Prostate cancer can have a high success rate. Somebody in my family was diagnosed with it many many years ago and, although we worried a lot for him, he has been fine over those years.
Good luck George. I'm routing for you. If you like, please keep us updated on how it goes.
From what I know, a PSA of 18 is low (compared to people I know).
Maybe this article might be of help on trying to lower one's PSA count: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/men/health-tips/5-ways-to-lower-your-psa-count.htm
Thank you Beachy. Showing me that a parallel score can have a very different outcome to my fears is very helpful. I shall probably get to sleep tonight more easily with my anxiety dampened down. George
Thank you Beachy. Showing me that a parallel score can have a very different outcome to my fears is very helpful. I shall probably get to sleep tonight more easily with my anxiety dampened down. George
Sorry Fanna for putting my reply to Beachy in your kind comment. Here is my reply to you.
Thank you for that account. Yes, I know in theory that very many cases of prostate can take many years to develop and for the elderly, as I am, taking no treatment can be a wise option extending over a decade very often. I expect once I have more information I shall be able to settle with fewer spells of anxiety, Thank you again, George
Hello George,
No, you are not being foolish. It is bad news. And there would seem to be no point in pussy-footing about with your emotions. Frankly I am very surprised if, with a PSA reading of 10 two years ago you were not at that stage advised, as you should have been, that you were already in the PC high risk category.
Now, with PSA @ 18 and a palpable irregularity in the gland. ( which would most likely be the tumour ), I would suggest you do not have to wonder whether or not you have PC. Which biopsy will no doubt confirm.
Hopefully, it will be a ) contained within the capsule and b ) not too aggressive.
i wish you all the best both now as you come to terms with it all and in the future, as you undergo treatment.
With kind regards
Dudley
Just one more observation if I may George : You say by your heading that you are ' New To This ' ?
Yes O.K. my friend, accepted. However you already have 2 Patient U.K. stars and 115 points and wouldn't that predicate, that you have been active on these sites for a while now ?
I'm not being pedantic George, please don't think that. I am merely trying to get a better overall picture of how you have travelled in matters prostatic.
Hello george,
If your psa was 10 a couple of years ago that was way too high then should have been 5.Now two years later it has almost doubled.This means cancer cells are growing fast so i would not think it is slow growing.There are very aggressive cancers
Find a good urologist get all the information you can.if you are fit and the cancer is contained you may be able to have the operation.My advice is face, it accept it and do all you can to be easy on yourself.it is rough for a while.I have had treatment and im back to normal.Everybodys journey is different.Good luck
Thank you, Dudley. That is my reading of my situation. I had never thought about prostate cancer until I was referred to the clinic. I have since done quite a lot of self education on the web. Generally I suspected the Consultant was easing me in over gently. That creates a lack of trust in me.
At first I persuaded myself that I was just starting and had a likely ten years before things might become bad, and I might not live that long anyway. Yesterday, I was facing up to the possibility/probibility that I was already well down to path towards cancer spreading if it has not already done so and getting symptoms from that. That lead me to look for a forum and here I am.
After a fair night's sleep I am a bit more steady and fealing the real issue is to make wise, sensible and informed decisions as to the way forward. Sadly, a prolonged bad experience with a chest consultant has taught me to be very cautious with doctors and their apparent wisdom and knowledge. George
Hi Dudley, I take your point. It is reasonable eough. I have been educating myself for about three weeks now. I found this forum yesterday evening. It was the first, the only one I have tried. I did start with a flurry of activity over about two hours and then for a while before bed.
A relevant factor is the a friend is dying of cancer and I have been watching and considering what I can learn as I the next few years I might well be in a similar position although with prostate cancer in my case. Much will depend on how agressive my cancer is. I just hope the Consultant will be straightforward, open and honest. However, my poor hearing has taught me to be very aware of body language - body language almost never lies. Thanks Dudley, George
Hi James, Thank you. I find the straight talking very comforting, however unpleasant the import. Yes, it would seem that the most crucial issue is likely to be whether the cancer has spread or not. Anyway, I need the biopsy results and straight talking from the Urologist. It may well be a different doctor to the one I saw three weeks ago. I hope all continues well for you. George
No need to apologise at all George.
I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, and will keep a close eye on this thread to see how things go.
You mentioned in another post in this thread I've just read that you had a lack of faith in how your doctor may be handling it, understandably due to a previous experience, and, as I'm sure you know, you are entitled to see a second doctor on the NHS - or, if you have some money, see one privately.
Good luck with it all George.
Thanks george sorry not to pull punches but it is the best way.Uncertainty and lack of knowledge breeds fear.It is amazing how one accepts things that can`t be changed.About your consultant if you are not happy with him get on the web find a prostate cancer hospital/consultant who is excellent as i did.I attended the freeman in newcastle under a mr soomro a lot better than what was on offer.He could not be faulted.As for my situation i dont know if iam cured as like breast cancer it can recur.What to do about it?Face it and get the best treatment you can.good luck
Thank you Fana. I had not thought of consulting a second doctor. Comparison of both details and emphases can be a great help in understanding what information is actually being imparted. ( This applies in all situations.) It does seem that prostate cancer is not really understood and decisions have to be made on informed best guesses.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We are essentially spiritual beings bound for a time to a mortal body. What is happing in the spiritual realm is of great importance but hidden from us meantime. Yes, I value your prayers. With my best wishes, George
Many thanks James. Wishing you all the best, George
Thank you all for your help. That mix of realism and encouragement made such a difference. After three days of being locked into accute anxiety with marked loss of appitite it eased yesterday afternoon and a walk in beautiful countryside in bright Augest sun brought me back to a modest level of anxiety. I feel I am now ready to make good use of my next visit to the clinic later this week.
Thank you all very much, George