Prostate cancer

[Penrhyn]

Sheepshanks.

You are correct l omitted the biopsy. Had it end of June results end of July.

[Viper201]

That's some journey you are having Penryhn. When you said Leeds, I take it that was Bexley wing at St James? I know it well and was where they fked up the mother-in-law's diagnosis 2 months ago. Starmer is correct; the NHS is broken.

Keep us updated and wish you all the best.

[Sheepshanks]

Penrhyn said:

Sheepshanks.

You are correct l omitted the biopsy. Had it end of June results end of July.

Thanks. All the best in pushing onwards to overcome this.

[crankedup5]

Penrhyn said:

Viper201 said:

JeremyH5 said:

westberks said:

AstonZagato said:

My latest update (2023 diagnosed with Stage 4: spread to bladder, muscle and lymph nodes; inoperable; incurable; Gleeson of 10):
My oncologist is pleased at my 3 month checkup. My PSA is 0.03. Other bloods are normal. The side effects of the drugs that keep it that way are minimal. I'm totally over the radiotherapy. I'm leading a normal(ish) life and the drug stats suggest I could have a good number of years if I'm lucky. Quite happy with that.

good news, long may it continue

+1 from me!

Have another +1

And another +1

Good news is always very welcome, and here we have some in abundance. Brilliant news.

[westberks]

having had a PAE a few months ago; I've just had the result of my latest PSA test. This has dropped form a high of 20.2 last November and is now down to 7.11.

This is the lowest I've ever known as my first test 8 years ago at the age of 48 was already into double figures.

just awaiting the results of a follow up scan last week to see what the reduction in prostate size actually is and to agree the next stage of treatment; in the meantime i might treat myself to a celebratory sherry later on.

[AstonZagato]

Prostate Cancer Research are having a fund raising campaign for October - run 50 miles during the month. Anyone else doing it? Good luck to those participating. I can't run that far as my knees would implode but I'm rowing it instead.

[westberks]

AstonZagato said:

Prostate Cancer Research are having a fund raising campaign for October - run 50 miles during the month. Anyone else doing it? Good luck to those participating. I can't run that far as my knees would implode but I'm rowing it instead.

i can't run, but am contributing

[The Gauge]

Last year my PSA reading was 4, which prompted a referral to urology, MRI and biopsy, but thankfully all clear.
This years reading is 5 but my GP says that's fine, no further action.
They might be right, but it's uncomfortable seeing the level increase regardless.

[Sheepshanks]

The Gauge said:

Last year my PSA reading was 4, which prompted a referral to urology, MRI and biopsy, but thankfully all clear.
This years reading is 5 but my GP says that's fine, no further action.
They might be right, but it's uncomfortable seeing the level increase regardless.

Forgot to post the follow up to my increased PSA - I'll add it now.

[Penrhyn]

westberks said:

AstonZagato said:

Prostate Cancer Research are having a fund raising campaign for October - run 50 miles during the month. Anyone else doing it? Good luck to those participating. I can't run that far as my knees would implode but I'm rowing it instead.

i can't run, but am contributing

l can only walk on the flat slowly, no steps or slopes.

So I've setup a monthly direct debit.

Additionally as a tax payer they get an extra. So if you donate say £10 becomes £12.50.

Another charity less well known is Prost8.org.uk l found them to brilliant. So l contributed to them as well.

My thoughts are that these organisations can fund research into this to benefit everyone.

[Sheepshanks]

Sheepshanks said:

Bit of an unwelcome jump in my 6 monthly routine PSA test.

A couple of tests ago (late 23) it had gone down slightly from over 5 (early 23) to just under 5.

Six months ago was 6.59 and the result now is 7.91, which has triggered a referral back to urology as over 7.5 (I'm 67). Tests, inc biopsy, in early 23 didn't reveal anything.

Quack asked if I'd noted any changes and can't say I have - I was concerned about general stiffness and dull ache around my lower back etc but consultant in early 23 waved them away as unconnected.


Particularly frustrating as wife is (hopefully) getting to the end of 2yrs of messing about with one of her eyes so we haven't been able to do or plan much while that's been going on - just cancelled a week's holiday we had booked for early Oct as they used long-lasting gas for her last op and the holiday was just within the no-fly window.

Well, Urology at Chester got hold of this and it all happened pretty quickly.

Got a call a couple of days after referral to see if I could go for MRI that afternoon. Then Urology rang to book a consultation and possible biopsy a week later.

Went to the consultation. Nothing of concern on MRI - prosate now 60-65cc (had been 50cc early last year). Consultant seemed keen to do the biopsy (where last year he really didn't want to do it). So had that there and then.

Got a call a few days later to ask if I could go in again to meet the consultant - next day. Gulp. He came out to get us and introduced us to his specialist cancer nurse who sat in with us. Double gulp!! Then he said he biopsy was all clear. Phew. He did stress it can miss things etc, but said even if it was low level cancer they'd watch and wait.

I asked why the rate of rise in PSA level and he said he didn't know. He talked about finasteride but as I'm not having any particualr problems he thought no point (plus it has side-effects). Plan is to review PSA again in 6mths.

[The Gauge]

Sheepshanks said:

Sheepshanks said:

Bit of an unwelcome jump in my 6 monthly routine PSA test.

A couple of tests ago (late 23) it had gone down slightly from over 5 (early 23) to just under 5.

Six months ago was 6.59 and the result now is 7.91, which has triggered a referral back to urology as over 7.5 (I'm 67). Tests, inc biopsy, in early 23 didn't reveal anything.

Quack asked if I'd noted any changes and can't say I have - I was concerned about general stiffness and dull ache around my lower back etc but consultant in early 23 waved them away as unconnected.


Particularly frustrating as wife is (hopefully) getting to the end of 2yrs of messing about with one of her eyes so we haven't been able to do or plan much while that's been going on - just cancelled a week's holiday we had booked for early Oct as they used long-lasting gas for her last op and the holiday was just within the no-fly window.

Well, Urology at Chester got hold of this and it all happened pretty quickly.

Got a call a couple of days after referral to see if I could go for MRI that afternoon. Then Urology rang to book a consultation and possible biopsy a week later.

Went to the consultation. Nothing of concern on MRI - prosate now 60-65cc (had been 50cc early last year). Consultant seemed keen to do the biopsy (where last year he really didn't want to do it). So had that there and then.

Got a call a few days later to ask if I could go in again to meet the consultant - next day. Gulp. He came out to get us and introduced us to his specialist cancer nurse who sat in with us. Double gulp!! Then he said he biopsy was all clear. Phew. He did stress it can miss things etc, but said even if it was low level cancer they'd watch and wait.

I asked why the rate of rise in PSA level and he said he didn't know. He talked about finasteride but as I'm not having any particualr problems he thought no point (plus it has side-effects). Plan is to review PSA again in 6mths.

Pleased you're ok.

With me being age 52 I wonder what the trigger PSA level is for them taking further action? Last year a level of 4 lead to further tests, but this years level 5 hasn't.

[JeremyH5]

The Gauge said:

Pleased you're ok.

With me being age 52 I wonder what the trigger PSA level is for them taking further action? Last year a level of 4 lead to further tests, but this years level 5 hasn't.

That is odd compared to my 4.5 referral trigger at age 68.

[Sheepshanks]

The Gauge said:

Pleased you're ok.

With me being age 52 I wonder what the trigger PSA level is for them taking further action? Last year a level of 4 lead to further tests, but this years level 5 hasn't.

Thanks. My first referral was due to being over 5 but prior to the blood test my GP had done the finger check and could feel a bump. I was 65 at the time.

After the first round of tests the Consultant siad the check PSA every 6mths and refer back if greater than 7.5, so that's what triggered the latest round.

I think the initial trigger level for age 50 to 59 is 3.5. I suppose once they've estabished everything is OK there's no point in testing again unless there's a significant change. As said above, my consultant's discharge letter said keep checking and come back if >7.5.

[wildwesthero]

The Gauge said:

Last year my PSA reading was 4, which prompted a referral to urology, MRI and biopsy, but thankfully all clear.
This years reading is 5 but my GP says that's fine, no further action.
They might be right, but it's uncomfortable seeing the level increase regardless.

After my prostate examination and MRI scan all was clear but my PSA was 4.7. The consultant said come and see me again when it reaches 10. This years reading x2, 5.7.

[WinkleHoff]

I've arrived here as today my Dad told me he has had an MRI off of the back of a raised PSA. That has shown "something on his prostate that is.likely to be cancer". He has a biopsy tomorrow. The good news is that the MRI shows it is very early.and doesn't seem to have gone anywhere. He seems okay and I guess reasons to be positive off of the back of the MRI. He had no noticeable symptoms.

I on the other hand for four weeks now have had right hand side lower abdomen and hip pain down in to my right testicle also a bit of back pain, arm pits feel weird. Blood tests last week look okay, psa normal (but doesn't prove anything). Peeing functions fine, no blood in urine. But dam pain won't go away and I now have a renal scan and CTs, as well as another blood test requested.

My wife has an unknown lump also under investigation.

I'm a bit lost really. I have two young children and am rather panicking/catastrophising.

Edited by WinkleHoff on Sunday 20th October 20:27

[AstonZagato]

Sorry to hear about your issues. It is easy to go off the deep end but it may be nothing serious. For example a good mate called me a few months ago. Blood in his poo. He went off the deep end about bowel cancer. To be fair, bowel cancer had claimed a mutual friend of ours. It turned out to be a small cyst - something relatively unimportant that could be fixed very easily.

Stay strong and remain open minded. That said, do push till you get to the bottom of it - and make sure the different doctors are communicating with each other. Doctors can sometimes have a habit of thinking only about their specialty and not considering the holistic picture.

[Penrhyn]

Glan Clwyd Hospital - Dr Oommen Oncologist secretary sent me this

A referral was sent to Dr. J. Logue, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Christie Hospital, together with supporting documentation. The referral was e-mailed to the referrals and booking e-mail address on 08.10.24.

So things are going in the right direction.

[L1OFF]

I'm struggling to understand the PSA test results. I had a blood test in June 23 that showed 6.65 and I had a note to contact my GP which I did last week (long story there, nobody told me). The NHS app which has my medical records show 6,65 which was over the upper limit of 4.5, I spoke to my GP earlier (I going for another blood test later today and DER tomorrow). She told me that they now take your age and divide by 10 which would give me a reading of 6.8. Hence my confusion. I also have no symptoms.

[Gas1883]

WinkleHoff said:

I've arrived here as today my Dad told me he has had an MRI off of the back of a raised PSA. That has shown "something on his prostate that is.likely to be cancer". He has a biopsy tomorrow. The good news is that the MRI shows it is very early.and doesn't seem to have gone anywhere. He seems okay and I guess reasons to be positive off of the back of the MRI. He had no noticeable symptoms.

I on the other hand for four weeks now have had right hand side lower abdomen and hip pain down in to my right testicle also a bit of back pain, arm pits feel weird. Blood tests last week look okay, psa normal (but doesn't prove anything). Peeing functions fine, no blood in urine. But dam pain won't go away and I now have a renal scan and CTs, as well as another blood test requested.

My wife has an unknown lump also under investigation.

I'm a bit lost really. I have two young children and am rather panicking/catastrophising.

Edited by WinkleHoff on Sunday 20th October 20:27

I was told 5 yrs ago by my doctor after examination I had a large lump on my prostrate & I’d had it a long time , my last biopsy show there was No change in that lump / lesion/ nodule , it hadn’t changed in 5 yrs .
So my advice to you and your dad would be to stay positive until told other wise , I’ve for 5 yrs just been on active surveillance ( watch & wait )
6 months ago I was told I had a malignant tumour on my kidney ( the x rays they showed us it looked big ) , but knowing what had transpired with prostate we stayed calm , after the tumour was removed they tol me it was a normal tumour ( not abnormal which apparently is harder to treat ) , and they score the tumours 0-11 ,11 being the most aggressive & normally has spread , my tumour was a 0 , I was discharged back to my trust & will have mri scans 1 yr / 3 yrs / 5 yrs & if there ok will be discharged completely
I know I’ve been lucky , I had the dark days when first told I had a large lump on my prostrate , but try to stay positive , it’s not easy , but I’m one of the ones that should give you hope ,5 yrs , 2 lots of cancer & im still going .
Best of luck & as I say stay positive .