Hi all
It's a topic that is not talked about much , so I thought I would start a thread .
Being healthy all my life I have been informed by my doctor that I'm showing signs of elevated PSA.
This is prostate specific antigen .
This was picked up as I have regular blood tests for the drugs I'm taking for arthritis .
Had an appointment at urology and consultant that measured urine flow , an ultrasound and the usual fingers up the rectum .
Seems I may be in trouble 😔
Now going Monday to have a full MRI scan and biopsy of the prostate .
I'm 60 years old so I shall have to see when I get the results .
The point I'm trying to make is the consultant pointed out that most fit men he sees have no symptoms .
Mine was caught early due to regular blood tests .
I will update when I know more .
Hope this makes aware this horrible cancer and you should be checked at 50 .
It's a topic that is not talked about much , so I thought I would start a thread .
Being healthy all my life I have been informed by my doctor that I'm showing signs of elevated PSA.
This is prostate specific antigen .
This was picked up as I have regular blood tests for the drugs I'm taking for arthritis .
Had an appointment at urology and consultant that measured urine flow , an ultrasound and the usual fingers up the rectum .
Seems I may be in trouble 😔
Now going Monday to have a full MRI scan and biopsy of the prostate .
I'm 60 years old so I shall have to see when I get the results .
The point I'm trying to make is the consultant pointed out that most fit men he sees have no symptoms .
Mine was caught early due to regular blood tests .
I will update when I know more .
Hope this makes aware this horrible cancer and you should be checked at 50 .
In reply to Post #1
First off I wish you well and hope that things aren't as bad as they may seem, and if they are that you get the support and treatment you need.
I think you have started a really important thread as there will be many on here who fall into the 'I'm absolutely fine' type which could be true but as you say could just mean we're blissfully unaware.
I'm approaching 51 in a couple of weeks and am the stereotypical doctor avoider. This has made me rethink...
Best of luck to you fella
First off I wish you well and hope that things aren't as bad as they may seem, and if they are that you get the support and treatment you need.
I think you have started a really important thread as there will be many on here who fall into the 'I'm absolutely fine' type which could be true but as you say could just mean we're blissfully unaware.
I'm approaching 51 in a couple of weeks and am the stereotypical doctor avoider. This has made me rethink...
Best of luck to you fella
In reply to Post #1
Sad news but at least they are on it straight away
I was a doctor dodger all my life despite having had a splenectomy at 7, at 45 i was told i should be on flu jabs and 5 year pneumococal jabs. I survived all that time without
I was given a bum cam at 55 and despite the embarrassment and 5 minutes of discomfort all was good. If any get offered this at 55 please take it up as early warnings are better than no warnings
Had prostate finger as well not great but result all good. Anyone who goes near my bum deserves a medal as I've seen what comes out
Moral is take up every offer of tests as its better in the long run
Sad news but at least they are on it straight away
I was a doctor dodger all my life despite having had a splenectomy at 7, at 45 i was told i should be on flu jabs and 5 year pneumococal jabs. I survived all that time without
I was given a bum cam at 55 and despite the embarrassment and 5 minutes of discomfort all was good. If any get offered this at 55 please take it up as early warnings are better than no warnings
Had prostate finger as well not great but result all good. Anyone who goes near my bum deserves a medal as I've seen what comes out
Moral is take up every offer of tests as its better in the long run
In reply to Post #1
Sorry to hear that mate but I wish you all the best.
Sorry to hear that mate but I wish you all the best.
In reply to Post #4
Best wishes and good luck mate.
Best wishes and good luck mate.
In reply to Post #1
Hi Fred, I was in exactly the same situation as you.I hope it all goes well for you mate and they don't find anything. Eighteen months ago I decided to ask my GP for a PSA blood test based on having a family history on my Mum's side of the family, I have uncles who have all been diagnosed with Prostate cancer, all who have been treated in one way or another ie. radiotherapy or removal, anyway I had an MRI and a blood test that revealed a raised PSA and on that basis I went in for a biopsy, the MRI was inconclusive as it often can be with this type of cancer, the biopsy came back with positive samples (two out of the thirty seven they took), its very low level and to be honest I wasn't surprised or shocked, its not nice to hear but at least I know, the biopsy procedure itself isn't too bad but I had to have a catheter for a week afterwards due to urine retention which was a pretty unpleasant experience, i'm now on something called active surveillance which means a blood test and check up every three months, they did want to do another biopsy but I decided against it for now, i had another MRI last month which didn't show up anything sinister but like I say MRI's don't show this type of cancer clearly at its early stage
One of the doctor's did tell me that they estimate possibly 50% of men over 55 to 60 probably have signs of cancer of the prostate, but in a lot of cases the chances are you will die of old age before the cancer develops and grows, it becomes a much more serious matter if it gets outside of the prostate, most men don't get checked and in fact even with my family history my brother has only just had a check and he's 67, luckily his PSA was ok, that doesn't always mean you're clear though as it can fluctuate and in fact mine did go down on a couple of my tests but went up again on the last one, hence why they wanted to do another biopsy but as things stand they will make a decision after my next blood test in three or four months time
The finger up the jacksy is a small price to pay and I just cant understand why men don't get checked out, prostate cancer has now overtaken breast cancer in women in terms of the amount of people dying each year so its a big killer, that is down to the fact that women on the whole get checked and have been made aware of breast cancer for a long time now
GET CHECKED PEOPLE!
Hi Fred, I was in exactly the same situation as you.I hope it all goes well for you mate and they don't find anything. Eighteen months ago I decided to ask my GP for a PSA blood test based on having a family history on my Mum's side of the family, I have uncles who have all been diagnosed with Prostate cancer, all who have been treated in one way or another ie. radiotherapy or removal, anyway I had an MRI and a blood test that revealed a raised PSA and on that basis I went in for a biopsy, the MRI was inconclusive as it often can be with this type of cancer, the biopsy came back with positive samples (two out of the thirty seven they took), its very low level and to be honest I wasn't surprised or shocked, its not nice to hear but at least I know, the biopsy procedure itself isn't too bad but I had to have a catheter for a week afterwards due to urine retention which was a pretty unpleasant experience, i'm now on something called active surveillance which means a blood test and check up every three months, they did want to do another biopsy but I decided against it for now, i had another MRI last month which didn't show up anything sinister but like I say MRI's don't show this type of cancer clearly at its early stage
One of the doctor's did tell me that they estimate possibly 50% of men over 55 to 60 probably have signs of cancer of the prostate, but in a lot of cases the chances are you will die of old age before the cancer develops and grows, it becomes a much more serious matter if it gets outside of the prostate, most men don't get checked and in fact even with my family history my brother has only just had a check and he's 67, luckily his PSA was ok, that doesn't always mean you're clear though as it can fluctuate and in fact mine did go down on a couple of my tests but went up again on the last one, hence why they wanted to do another biopsy but as things stand they will make a decision after my next blood test in three or four months time
The finger up the jacksy is a small price to pay and I just cant understand why men don't get checked out, prostate cancer has now overtaken breast cancer in women in terms of the amount of people dying each year so its a big killer, that is down to the fact that women on the whole get checked and have been made aware of breast cancer for a long time now
GET CHECKED PEOPLE!
In reply to Post #1
I worked with a guy who was about 63 at the time, he said he was gong for a pee too often and went to see the doctor about it, tests were carried out ....long story short he went once a week (it may have been more or less) for radiotherapy, I think it went on for quite a while, anyway he came in one morning with the biggest smile I have ever seen, "I'm clear", I have never seen someone so happy, Fred good luck, I hope you get to smile as well
I worked with a guy who was about 63 at the time, he said he was gong for a pee too often and went to see the doctor about it, tests were carried out ....long story short he went once a week (it may have been more or less) for radiotherapy, I think it went on for quite a while, anyway he came in one morning with the biggest smile I have ever seen, "I'm clear", I have never seen someone so happy, Fred good luck, I hope you get to smile as well
Thanks all for the positive vibes and insight to those who have it and those that advocate getting checked 👍
In reply to Post #1
Agree Fred, get checked
My father was diagnosed in 2006 with prostate cancer that also led to bone cancer. The treatments were pretty rough on him back then but managed to hold the cancer at a level. He's been on 2 trials with new drugs in the last 5 years and is currently 2/3's of the way through the latest trial. I've got to say the latest treatment has knocked 20 year's off him he's 73.Very positive with minor side effects. He's just finished restoring a 2016 Suzuki Sv650 insurance write off into a stunning bike, and he's been out on it.
Keep positive and good luck
Agree Fred, get checked
My father was diagnosed in 2006 with prostate cancer that also led to bone cancer. The treatments were pretty rough on him back then but managed to hold the cancer at a level. He's been on 2 trials with new drugs in the last 5 years and is currently 2/3's of the way through the latest trial. I've got to say the latest treatment has knocked 20 year's off him he's 73.Very positive with minor side effects. He's just finished restoring a 2016 Suzuki Sv650 insurance write off into a stunning bike, and he's been out on it.
Keep positive and good luck
In reply to Post #1
I feel your pain, Fred. I have trodden a very similar path since my elevated PSA results were discovered. Have they offered you hormone treatment? It may sound a bit frightening at first but it is better than the alternative. Be lucky.
I think everyone over the age of 65 should be offered PSA screening as a matter of course. I had to ask for mine to be done after advice from a mate who is a chemist. If I had not asked things could have got really hairy!
Ask your doctor for a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test to be carried out when you have your MoT (annual bloods).
I feel your pain, Fred. I have trodden a very similar path since my elevated PSA results were discovered. Have they offered you hormone treatment? It may sound a bit frightening at first but it is better than the alternative. Be lucky.
I think everyone over the age of 65 should be offered PSA screening as a matter of course. I had to ask for mine to be done after advice from a mate who is a chemist. If I had not asked things could have got really hairy!
Ask your doctor for a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test to be carried out when you have your MoT (annual bloods).
In reply to Post #1
Hi Fred.
Well done for making people aware of this.
Even IF the results come back positive, catching it early is always best and as you say we should not avoid the checks.
Several years ago a good friend of mine was diagnosed positive and had to have treatment.
Obviously not a nice experience but many years later he is still healthy, active and as far as we know completely clear.
Hope all goes well for you as it did for him.
Hi Fred.
Well done for making people aware of this.
Even IF the results come back positive, catching it early is always best and as you say we should not avoid the checks.
Several years ago a good friend of mine was diagnosed positive and had to have treatment.
Obviously not a nice experience but many years later he is still healthy, active and as far as we know completely clear.
Hope all goes well for you as it did for him.
In reply to Post #9
You must be proud of your dad mate
My dad has it too but he's close to 80, refused any treatment for it, he has other problems so he is just going to see how he goes.
If I am honest it has touched a lot of my family and what was said earlier I cannot reiterate it enough and it needs to be said now, not later. I think the stats are around 1 in every 3 of us will be affected. My advice:
Check yourself and be aware of changes. DO NOT mess about, go and see a doctor, if you catch it early the treatments are very good nowadays. If you catch it early.
You must be proud of your dad mate
My dad has it too but he's close to 80, refused any treatment for it, he has other problems so he is just going to see how he goes.
If I am honest it has touched a lot of my family and what was said earlier I cannot reiterate it enough and it needs to be said now, not later. I think the stats are around 1 in every 3 of us will be affected. My advice:
Check yourself and be aware of changes. DO NOT mess about, go and see a doctor, if you catch it early the treatments are very good nowadays. If you catch it early.
In reply to Post #12
Mate, I've had discussion's, sometimes blazing row's with my father over painful/ debilitating treatment/trials the last 10 years that you don't want to have. Get checked fellas, you won't feel a problem til it's got you.
Mate, I've had discussion's, sometimes blazing row's with my father over painful/ debilitating treatment/trials the last 10 years that you don't want to have. Get checked fellas, you won't feel a problem til it's got you.
In reply to Post #1
Wishing you all the very best Fred, if it is Prostrate Cancer and caught early treatment can be very effective. I had a heated debate with my GP when I was younger (20's) about PC, I asked if there's a hereditary link, he said no, so I asked what are the chances of it seeing off my dad, his brother and their dad...stumped look but stuck to his guns...tbh I am worried.
Also worth saying as others have said, don't be shy of your doctor, and stick to your guns if you know something is wrong but they are hesitant to help keep at them.
Example, I had a random blood test in 2010 for not feeling well with no real explanation, doc also chucked in a cholesterol check. Bloods came back high cholesterol but also low white counts, come back if you feel unwell, you probaly have a infection (he seemed more interested in the cholesterol tbh), scheduled another test for the Cholesterol at 3 months to see how it's responding to Statins. Went back counts recovering (but very low), you'll be fine. 2013 same again low counts but recovered. 2016 my GP retired, a new very young GP took over his patients, got a call asking for me to come in as he was reviewing my yearly test. 1st question, were you ever referred about your white cell counts, no, (odd look from him) think we better look into them as it's not normal, result, Leukaemia. In between I had been to the docs several times mostly around Feb, in 2014 & 15 I had 2 weeks of work due to general malaise, sweats, flue/hay fever like symptoms, generally feeling miserable. Turns out this was my already weekened imune system being over run.
Don't ignore it, get it checked out
Wishing you all the very best Fred, if it is Prostrate Cancer and caught early treatment can be very effective. I had a heated debate with my GP when I was younger (20's) about PC, I asked if there's a hereditary link, he said no, so I asked what are the chances of it seeing off my dad, his brother and their dad...stumped look but stuck to his guns...tbh I am worried.
Also worth saying as others have said, don't be shy of your doctor, and stick to your guns if you know something is wrong but they are hesitant to help keep at them.
Example, I had a random blood test in 2010 for not feeling well with no real explanation, doc also chucked in a cholesterol check. Bloods came back high cholesterol but also low white counts, come back if you feel unwell, you probaly have a infection (he seemed more interested in the cholesterol tbh), scheduled another test for the Cholesterol at 3 months to see how it's responding to Statins. Went back counts recovering (but very low), you'll be fine. 2013 same again low counts but recovered. 2016 my GP retired, a new very young GP took over his patients, got a call asking for me to come in as he was reviewing my yearly test. 1st question, were you ever referred about your white cell counts, no, (odd look from him) think we better look into them as it's not normal, result, Leukaemia. In between I had been to the docs several times mostly around Feb, in 2014 & 15 I had 2 weeks of work due to general malaise, sweats, flue/hay fever like symptoms, generally feeling miserable. Turns out this was my already weekened imune system being over run.
Don't ignore it, get it checked out
Thought I would update
Well I got taken into hospital with pancreatic episode .
I had my gal bladder out 7 years previous due to bile ducts blocked and going orange 🍊
Well I was in severe pain and ended up having a CT scan an XRay and 2 tours in the MRI scanner .
After 5 days I came home .
A few days later a doctor from where I had the prostate scan told me I had no signs of cancer whatsoever .
I told him I thought this as was hospitalised due to pancreatic episode and after having all scans available they told me the same .
So it turns out the tests were flawed due to blockages after all.
All good now thanks for all the positive posts .
Just got to now hold tight with this lockdown now 👍
Well I got taken into hospital with pancreatic episode .
I had my gal bladder out 7 years previous due to bile ducts blocked and going orange 🍊
Well I was in severe pain and ended up having a CT scan an XRay and 2 tours in the MRI scanner .
After 5 days I came home .
A few days later a doctor from where I had the prostate scan told me I had no signs of cancer whatsoever .
I told him I thought this as was hospitalised due to pancreatic episode and after having all scans available they told me the same .
So it turns out the tests were flawed due to blockages after all.
All good now thanks for all the positive posts .
Just got to now hold tight with this lockdown now 👍