Prostate cancer
Discussion
PSA is 43? Must be a decimal missing there and it's 4.3.
Best wishes for your check-up.
My brother finished his treatment some months ago now, and had a check up with his oncologist on Monday. His PSA had dropped from 3.6 at the last check to 1.2. His Dr was pleased, but not as happy as my brother is.
And to think, my brother's GP wanted to treat the symptoms of his low testosterone instead of investigating the cause, and he had to fight for checks.
Best wishes for your check-up.
My brother finished his treatment some months ago now, and had a check up with his oncologist on Monday. His PSA had dropped from 3.6 at the last check to 1.2. His Dr was pleased, but not as happy as my brother is.
And to think, my brother's GP wanted to treat the symptoms of his low testosterone instead of investigating the cause, and he had to fight for checks.
My last check was 4.2 and my BUPA urologist said to get in touch only if it goes over 5 and to get it checked every one or two years (I'm 65). I've had an MRI which looked fine and Tamsulosin is working well. I know a couple of people with much higher levels who are cancer free, just quite enlarged.
RC1807 said:
PSA is 43? Must be a decimal missing there and it's 4.3.
Best wishes for your check-up.
My brother finished his treatment some months ago now, and had a check up with his oncologist on Monday. His PSA had dropped from 3.6 at the last check to 1.2. His Dr was pleased, but not as happy as my brother is.
And to think, my brother's GP wanted to treat the symptoms of his low testosterone instead of investigating the cause, and he had to fight for checks.
My GP did send urine sample for test, I phoned for result and receptionist said ‘all clear, no further action required’. I insisted on further checks and I was then offered a urologist appointment. Urine sample still shows all clear, but tests ongoing now. For any person reading this in the future, insist on urologist appointment if you feel you have a genuine problem, do not accept your GPs first considerations. They may be excellent as GPs but simply do not have the capacity to diagnose deeper problems.Best wishes for your check-up.
My brother finished his treatment some months ago now, and had a check up with his oncologist on Monday. His PSA had dropped from 3.6 at the last check to 1.2. His Dr was pleased, but not as happy as my brother is.
And to think, my brother's GP wanted to treat the symptoms of his low testosterone instead of investigating the cause, and he had to fight for checks.
N7GTX said:
Not sure why you are assuming it is 4.3 for the PSA. Aged 63 mine was found to be 38. Yes 38, not 3.8 (if only it had been). On the Prostate Cancer forum there are people reporting well over 1,000 
If it is 4.3 then you are most probably cancer free. Fingers crossed for you.
Thank you.If it is 4.3 then you are most probably cancer free. Fingers crossed for you.
He was around 60 I believe.
he was diagnosed in his early 50's
had the latest treatments available as were described by him
he took early release from work and had further treatments.
he went in to have surgery to remove prostate etc but the cancer had spread.
he died shortly afterwards.
His passing is a real loss he was a truly decent man,friend husband and father.
he was diagnosed in his early 50's
had the latest treatments available as were described by him
he took early release from work and had further treatments.
he went in to have surgery to remove prostate etc but the cancer had spread.
he died shortly afterwards.
His passing is a real loss he was a truly decent man,friend husband and father.
C 11,500 women & men each die annually of breast & prostate cancer annually. All women are encouraged to have regular mammograms, yet men are not encouraged have PSA tests because “it’s unreliable as can have false positives” ie “we don’t want to worry mens’ pretty little heads!”.
The psa test is not a key cancer diagnosis tool - mri scans & biopsies are those. The psa test is a simple cheap quick blood test. An abnormally raised level or rising trend over time is an indicator that warrants cancer investigation testing.
The reason to deter men may be financial or because men are more careless in attitude towards their own health - my own case is an example:
Psa test 2012: result 0.9 - I was told this was negligible at age 50
Psa test 2017: result 2.7 - I was told this was “normal” for my age 55. I was not told that it was close to 90% of the 3.1 level that would have referred me to nhs urologists for probable mri scan & possible biopsy tests.
The America Cancer Society guidelines btw are to refer any in the 50’s with psa level 2.5 or higher for further testing.
Psa test request 2019: I was refused by my gp who advised it was unnecessary. They didn’t ask about my family history - father died from prostate cancer, 3 grandparents died from cancers. Ill-educated, I trusted & accepted their advice and didn’t worry.
Psa test 2021: 8.5 - referred to urologists, mri scan and biopsy etc - Gleason score 7 inter cancer with a large tumour pressing against the shell. Radical prostatectomy has now been recommended as tumours are considered too widespread for focal treatments.
Focal treatments have far fewer side effects but cost more than prostectomy, and more often than not will require follow up additional treatments &/or prostatectomy (which is then harder due to some scarring elsewhere around the prostate).
If I’d been “correctly” referred in 2019 I could probably have had a better lifestyle choice for another decade, albeit more costly for the nhs.
The point of my post? Please get tested regularly, and educate yourself re interpretation of the result. Any are welcome to dm me any questions or ask here on this thread.
The psa test is not a key cancer diagnosis tool - mri scans & biopsies are those. The psa test is a simple cheap quick blood test. An abnormally raised level or rising trend over time is an indicator that warrants cancer investigation testing.
The reason to deter men may be financial or because men are more careless in attitude towards their own health - my own case is an example:
Psa test 2012: result 0.9 - I was told this was negligible at age 50
Psa test 2017: result 2.7 - I was told this was “normal” for my age 55. I was not told that it was close to 90% of the 3.1 level that would have referred me to nhs urologists for probable mri scan & possible biopsy tests.
The America Cancer Society guidelines btw are to refer any in the 50’s with psa level 2.5 or higher for further testing.
Psa test request 2019: I was refused by my gp who advised it was unnecessary. They didn’t ask about my family history - father died from prostate cancer, 3 grandparents died from cancers. Ill-educated, I trusted & accepted their advice and didn’t worry.
Psa test 2021: 8.5 - referred to urologists, mri scan and biopsy etc - Gleason score 7 inter cancer with a large tumour pressing against the shell. Radical prostatectomy has now been recommended as tumours are considered too widespread for focal treatments.
Focal treatments have far fewer side effects but cost more than prostectomy, and more often than not will require follow up additional treatments &/or prostatectomy (which is then harder due to some scarring elsewhere around the prostate).
If I’d been “correctly” referred in 2019 I could probably have had a better lifestyle choice for another decade, albeit more costly for the nhs.
The point of my post? Please get tested regularly, and educate yourself re interpretation of the result. Any are welcome to dm me any questions or ask here on this thread.
Edited by Buzzfan on Saturday 30th October 08:15
Edited by Buzzfan on Saturday 30th October 08:22
Edited by Buzzfan on Saturday 30th October 08:24
Sorry to hear your news Buzzfan. I agree with everything you have written.
When The DR called me after my 50th birthday to have a test it was because they are paid extra to do it. So at 50 the test is good enough.
So I decided to have it done every 2 years and every time I request it it is a fight. If you have no other symptoms apparently this perfectly good test they perform at 50 is no longer accurate. It gives false positives and might lead to unnecessary exploratory tests.
Last year they refused (covid don't you know) but I will be asking again and if I have to exaggerate some symptoms to get it.
It should not be this way and if the test is inaccurate why do it at 50, why not invest in technology to do it better.
I have nothing against women but they have regular tests for cancer from an early age as it is seen beneficial even if they have no symptoms yet men have to wait until we have obvious symptoms when that may well be too late. It is wrong but that is what has happened
Hope you get well after treatment
When The DR called me after my 50th birthday to have a test it was because they are paid extra to do it. So at 50 the test is good enough.
So I decided to have it done every 2 years and every time I request it it is a fight. If you have no other symptoms apparently this perfectly good test they perform at 50 is no longer accurate. It gives false positives and might lead to unnecessary exploratory tests.
Last year they refused (covid don't you know) but I will be asking again and if I have to exaggerate some symptoms to get it.
It should not be this way and if the test is inaccurate why do it at 50, why not invest in technology to do it better.
I have nothing against women but they have regular tests for cancer from an early age as it is seen beneficial even if they have no symptoms yet men have to wait until we have obvious symptoms when that may well be too late. It is wrong but that is what has happened
Hope you get well after treatment
ArtyP said:
Hi, my experiences...
Aged 53, I'd been having water works troubles, usually when going from a hot to a cold environment, or visa versa, finally went to the Docs, the appointment lasted barely 5 mins before I was dispatched for a blood test that PM, the result, elevated PSA, so a rapid series of hospital appointments, CT / MRI (Bone scan I think) a Biopsy (delightful !!!!) I scored 8/10 on the Gleeson and Prostate cancer was confirmed, choices, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, with a recommendation of surgery, I took the latter, robotic prostate removal......
The recovery hasn't been easy, lots of frustrations, but I'm still here, I got to walk my daughter down the aisle this summer
Amusing bit, got medication for the erectile disfunction, worked great, took as recommended for a first time, but after 8 hours it was a beyond a joke, LOL, now reduced the level to 25% of the starting dose
Now over 2 years on, 6 monthly blood tests, moving to 12 monthly, life is good, a bit different but definatly good
Hi Atty, Aged 53, I'd been having water works troubles, usually when going from a hot to a cold environment, or visa versa, finally went to the Docs, the appointment lasted barely 5 mins before I was dispatched for a blood test that PM, the result, elevated PSA, so a rapid series of hospital appointments, CT / MRI (Bone scan I think) a Biopsy (delightful !!!!) I scored 8/10 on the Gleeson and Prostate cancer was confirmed, choices, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, with a recommendation of surgery, I took the latter, robotic prostate removal......
The recovery hasn't been easy, lots of frustrations, but I'm still here, I got to walk my daughter down the aisle this summer
Amusing bit, got medication for the erectile disfunction, worked great, took as recommended for a first time, but after 8 hours it was a beyond a joke, LOL, now reduced the level to 25% of the starting dose
Now over 2 years on, 6 monthly blood tests, moving to 12 monthly, life is good, a bit different but definatly good
Great to see you almost through it all.
Was the medication for ED recommended, or was it initially part of the problem in getting the prostate cancer?
Is the ED and PC linked?
Buzzfan said:
N7GTX said:
Buzzfan, a prostatectomy is final as you know. Have you considered a second opinion?
Thanks yes / I saw a focal therapy expert and surgery expert last week, have since booked ptScan & repeat mri/biopsy so should be in the best position to make a decision within 4 weeks
VTC said:
He was around 60 I believe.
he was diagnosed in his early 50's
had the latest treatments available as were described by him
he took early release from work and had further treatments.
he went in to have surgery to remove prostate etc but the cancer had spread.
he died shortly afterwards.
His passing is a real loss he was a truly decent man,friend husband and father.
Sorry to hear this . Need to get myself checked out not that I think I have any signs as such although when my father died of a heart attack at 68 they discovered he did have an enlarged prostrate . he was diagnosed in his early 50's
had the latest treatments available as were described by him
he took early release from work and had further treatments.
he went in to have surgery to remove prostate etc but the cancer had spread.
he died shortly afterwards.
His passing is a real loss he was a truly decent man,friend husband and father.
GT3Manthey said:
Sorry to hear this . Need to get myself checked out not that I think I have any signs as such although when my father died of a heart attack at 68 they discovered he did have an enlarged prostrate .
Most men of that age do. Always worth checking but remember the odds are on your side.
It's very easy to get a private PSA blood test. I used this lab a year ago. It's all done through the post, they send you a kit to extract blood from a finger. When returned they send you a Laboratory report and a Doctor's review of the result. It costs £47.20
https://medichecks.com/collections/at-home-tests/?...
https://medichecks.com/collections/at-home-tests/?...
I had a health screening a few months ago. I had a look at the options before I went, and assumed from googling and reading the NHS position, that given I have no symptoms or close family history of prostate cancer, I would not be advised to have the PSA test done. The GP that did the screening explained the options and told me that it was my choice and added she strongly recommended it and the next step for enlarged prostate or high PSA was an ultrasound
Given the prevalence and the benefit of early diagnosis it does seem to me that the position of not doing the PSA test
unless you have symptoms / family history is not enough.
Jon
Given the prevalence and the benefit of early diagnosis it does seem to me that the position of not doing the PSA test
unless you have symptoms / family history is not enough.
Jon
The point of concern is not false positives, but false negatives. PSA tets are screening devices. If it is high and especially if it is increasing steadily, further tests can identify whether or not there is cause for concern. The PSA test should not be dismissed because it gives false positives.
When mine went over the border-line then current, I had 6 monthly PSA-specific blood tests. Then an MRI, which identified a further cause for concern. The PSA settled at around 8 and I went for another MRI a year later. The last two tests showed significant increases and last month I had the joy of a biopsy. I await the result - 11th Nov.
I was told from the first that the PSA test is not definitive, and a couple of weird analogies were quoted. In essence, <10% required treatment, and <10% of them had cancer. It was clear. It was reassuring. I'm in the original 10%,
Men should have PSA tests on a regular, probably annual, basis. That's how mine came to the attention. I've been kept informed each step of the way.
Every time I was given my results of a PSA, I was told that of itself, it meant little. My last test went to 18+, but it was the rate of increase that was of concern. The same % increase over two 6-monthly tests.
When mine went over the border-line then current, I had 6 monthly PSA-specific blood tests. Then an MRI, which identified a further cause for concern. The PSA settled at around 8 and I went for another MRI a year later. The last two tests showed significant increases and last month I had the joy of a biopsy. I await the result - 11th Nov.
I was told from the first that the PSA test is not definitive, and a couple of weird analogies were quoted. In essence, <10% required treatment, and <10% of them had cancer. It was clear. It was reassuring. I'm in the original 10%,
Men should have PSA tests on a regular, probably annual, basis. That's how mine came to the attention. I've been kept informed each step of the way.
Every time I was given my results of a PSA, I was told that of itself, it meant little. My last test went to 18+, but it was the rate of increase that was of concern. The same % increase over two 6-monthly tests.
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