Prostate cancer

[crankedup5]

Viper201 said:

crankedup5 said:

Thanks, we are all in a similar boat of course , but it’s good to talk. Received my treatment package at Addenbrookes, have to say it was exemplary in all senses. My biggest let down has been with my local G.P. who have proven themselves to be utterly useless. From the outset the doctor allowed the receptionist to pass on the diagnosis from my initial blood test ‘all clear no further action required’. That was a receptionist telling me all was well. Thankfully for myself I argued and insisted on a conversation with a doctor. I was referred and the result was as I previously mentioned. Unimaginable that a GP would allow reception staff to have so much authority over matters of life and death! But there it is.

Similar incident with me. Receptionist calls to say the blood test result (PSA 3 monthly) is 'clear'. What do you mean by 'clear'? There's nothing to worry about. Okay but what is the actual reading? Oh, I don't know I'm just the receptionist. Yes but I am always given a figure, last time it was 0.7, is it still the same? I don't have that information. Can you get the doctor to call me with it then please? I'll leave him a message.

Never did get the call so had to contact the hospital (which took a lot of chasing) who sent me the results sheet. (It was 0.7).

When I watched a previous series of Surgeons at the Edge of Life from Addenbrookes and Papworth, I thought all the staff and consultants were outstanding. I said to my wife that we should move to Cambridge.....

Quite shocking isn’t it ! in my case I had been peeing blood for several days which prompted my doctors appointment. She said blood test and phone back in a few days - what followed I have said now. Co-incidentally a guy living down the road to me, he does the steam rallies as I do, we got chatting a couple of years ago and he had an identical experience to my own with the same GP surgery. He said to me that he didn’t push his case after the receptionist told him ‘all clear no further action required’. His body then was found to have extensive spread of cancer due to no treatment of his original non diagnosis.

Addenbrookes do treat patients from a wide geographical area, my home town is about 32 miles from them. Credit where it’s due, I am pleased to say they treated me and my health issue with the utmost professionalism and understanding.

[rovermorris999]

My GP has a website you can register for and get test results, access to your full records and order repeat prescriptions. If you get blood taken for a test first thing it gets sent to the local hospital around 11am and detailed test results are available online usually within a couple of days. Previously it was 'if you hear nothing within two weeks assume it's fine', which is hopeless.

[Gas1883]

Other than the initial digital check I’ve had no dealing with my doctor ( don’t even know his name ) or surgery to do with prostrate , every thing is done through Lincoln/ leicester hospital , consultants or my urology nurse which is the same with all my illnesses.
Only one I go to the doctors surgery for is diabetis to see the diabetic nurse
Results are normally a phone call followed by letter from the consultant , if I need to know something I ring urology nurse or urology / consultants secatary at Lincoln / Leicester .

[the-photographer]

rovermorris999 said:

My GP has a website you can register for and get test results, access to your full records and order repeat prescriptions. If you get blood taken for a test first thing it gets sent to the local hospital around 11am and detailed test results are available online usually within a couple of days. Previously it was 'if you hear nothing within two weeks assume it's fine', which is hopeless.

Yes, see if your hospital trust has a "digital portal" where you can get all your results e.g.

https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors...

[mjb1]

I posted on here a few weeks back, after getting a PSA of 6.6. To update:

Nov 2021 PSA was 1.01 ng/ml
Feb 2024 it was 6.61
Apr 2024 it's now 2.49 ng/ml

I'm 44 so 2.49 seems rather high for my age? And as an increase from 1 ng/ml over 2.5 years? Not heard from GP yet, but as it's now (only just) within the normal range of <2.5 ng/ml is it likely that GP will say no further action required?

I had DRE last month, which dr said felt ok. And also UTI tests which came back negative. So doesn't appear to be caused by that?

[Damp Logs]

mjb1 said:

I posted on here a few weeks back, after getting a PSA of 6.6. To update:

Nov 2021 PSA was 1.01 ng/ml
Feb 2024 it was 6.61
Apr 2024 it's now 2.49 ng/ml

I'm 44 so 2.49 seems rather high for my age? And as an increase from 1 ng/ml over 2.5 years? Not heard from GP yet, but as it's now (only just) within the normal range of <2.5 ng/ml is it likely that GP will say no further action required?

I had DRE last month, which dr said felt ok. And also UTI tests which came back negative. So doesn't appear to be caused by that?

Had you done any exercise, had sex etc during the 48 hours prior into the Feb test? Or a UTI could have caused the spike

[mjb1]

Damp Logs said:

mjb1 said:

I posted on here a few weeks back, after getting a PSA of 6.6. To update:

Nov 2021 PSA was 1.01 ng/ml
Feb 2024 it was 6.61
Apr 2024 it's now 2.49 ng/ml

I'm 44 so 2.49 seems rather high for my age? And as an increase from 1 ng/ml over 2.5 years? Not heard from GP yet, but as it's now (only just) within the normal range of <2.5 ng/ml is it likely that GP will say no further action required?

I had DRE last month, which dr said felt ok. And also UTI tests which came back negative. So doesn't appear to be caused by that?

Had you done any exercise, had sex etc during the 48 hours prior into the Feb test? Or a UTI could have caused the spike

No exercise, did have sex over 24hrs but less than 48hrs before the 6.6 reading. From what I've read online that could only cause an increase of up to 0.5ng/ml though?

Was very careful to avoid anything before the latest measurement and still got 2.49. I guess a UTI could be behind it, but I've not noticed any symptoms, and I'm not sure if the UTI testing can show up recent past infections?

[rovermorris999]

mjb1 said:

No exercise, did have sex over 24hrs but less than 48hrs before the 6.6 reading. From what I've read online that could only cause an increase of up to 0.5ng/ml though?

Was very careful to avoid anything before the latest measurement and still got 2.49. I guess a UTI could be behind it, but I've not noticed any symptoms, and I'm not sure if the UTI testing can show up recent past infections?

My urologist told me that in his experience a UTI can affect PSA results for up to three months.

[VanDriver99]

Recently I had a scare...


I went to A & E as I was urinating blood quite badly...this also seemed to be affecting my backside as well....but no blood there.


Straight to bloods ....and an uncomfortable 5 hours waiting for the results.It appears the symptoms for a UTI and Prostrate Cancer are remarkably similar.


Anyway the Doctor(at the Hospital) has informed me it is just a UTI ...issued me with Anti Biotics and despite my urine turning brown initially I return fighting fit.

I havent been checked for Prostate for years....should I still need to go given the results I have just had ??

[MXRod]

MXRod said:

PSA 0.95
Now got to find out the need for frequent need to pee

Now been back for a follow up consultation . Quite in depth .
Resulting in Tamurex being prescribed , and also Ultra sound scan
One known side effect of the meds is to lower blood pressure .which it has from 155/84 yesterday am , to 109/67 today.I am already taking meds for high blood pressure , another visit to Docs methinks

[Gas1883]

I said the other week I’d had no communication with my doctors surgery since I was diagnosed nearly 4 years ago with prostrate cancer , today I recieve a phone call from the surgery saying they are ringing all there recently diagnosed cancer patients to see how they were , was there anything they needed & they were there for us .
Thankyou but I was diagnosed nearly 4 years ago & my consultants , surgeons , urology nurse , nurses have looked after me , no were ringing about your recent diagnosis of kidney cancer .
I assume someone has said something about there cancer care , any help is welcome obviously , but to late for me , I’ll stick to the people who’ve looked after me for nearly 4 years & continue to .

[Mr Pointy]

rovermorris999 said:

From the Telegraph:

Content deleted

You need to delete your post & just put a link in - PH does not allow posting of copyrighted material.

[ClaphamGT3]

I'm 54 and currently working on losing weight and getting fit. Just had a routine blood test due to hypertension and cholesterol. Agreed with the GP to do a PSA test as well just because of age.

Somewhat horrified that the result came back as 5.02. No symptoms of anything untoward except the need to get up for a pee in the night becoming more frequent over the last few months (which I put down to age).

NHS GP can't do a consultation until next week unless I luck out with a same day appointment tomorrow, so speaking to a BUPA specialist this evening.

Bugger.

[westberks]

ClaphamGT3 said:

I'm 54 and currently working on losing weight and getting fit. Just had a routine blood test due to hypertension and cholesterol. Agreed with the GP to do a PSA test as well just because of age.

Somewhat horrified that the result came back as 5.02. No symptoms of anything untoward except the need to get up for a pee in the night becoming more frequent over the last few months (which I put down to age).

NHS GP can't do a consultation until next week unless I luck out with a same day appointment tomorrow, so speaking to a BUPA specialist this evening.

Bugger.

hopefully nothing serious, but good that you have BUPA to progress matters with

[westberks]

so, having battled with an enlarged (but thankfully non cancerous) prostate for 8 years (since 48) I am finally having to go under the knife.

recent deterioration in symptoms (19.7 PSA and a 224 cc size prostate when average is about 40cc) have got me back in the system. Went on tamsulosin and that has made very little difference

passed from local health trust to a bigger, more specialist trust (Reading) who have passed me on to radiology for a PAE (Prostate artery embolisation) as I'm too big for laser either at the moment.

spoke to consultant today and ran through my current symptoms and he agreed immediately to schedule me for surgery; about 10-12 weeks waiting list which doesn't seem too bad and saves me from going private. They will then MRI 3 months later to see how effective the PAE has been and then decide if that is enough or whether to go down the laser route as well to top & tail........

....... getting old is a bh, and i'm only 56!

[ClaphamGT3]

westberks said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

I'm 54 and currently working on losing weight and getting fit. Just had a routine blood test due to hypertension and cholesterol. Agreed with the GP to do a PSA test as well just because of age.

Somewhat horrified that the result came back as 5.02. No symptoms of anything untoward except the need to get up for a pee in the night becoming more frequent over the last few months (which I put down to age).

NHS GP can't do a consultation until next week unless I luck out with a same day appointment tomorrow, so speaking to a BUPA specialist this evening.

Bugger.

hopefully nothing serious, but good that you have BUPA to progress matters with

Thanks. Update. Spike to advanced nurse practitioner at BUPA. She seemed pretty sanguine. Saif that 5.02 was elevated but not worryingly so, especially as no other symptoms to speak of. She said to see GP and push for another blood test. If result same or lower, push for regular monitoring, if higher, push for further tests (MRI, prostate exam, possible biopsy).

Feeling better but still somewhat uneasy

[AstonZagato]

ClaphamGT3 said:

westberks said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

I'm 54 and currently working on losing weight and getting fit. Just had a routine blood test due to hypertension and cholesterol. Agreed with the GP to do a PSA test as well just because of age.

Somewhat horrified that the result came back as 5.02. No symptoms of anything untoward except the need to get up for a pee in the night becoming more frequent over the last few months (which I put down to age).

NHS GP can't do a consultation until next week unless I luck out with a same day appointment tomorrow, so speaking to a BUPA specialist this evening.

Bugger.

hopefully nothing serious, but good that you have BUPA to progress matters with

Thanks. Update. Spike to advanced nurse practitioner at BUPA. She seemed pretty sanguine. Saif that 5.02 was elevated but not worryingly so, especially as no other symptoms to speak of. She said to see GP and push for another blood test. If result same or lower, push for regular monitoring, if higher, push for further tests (MRI, prostate exam, possible biopsy).

Feeling better but still somewhat uneasy

Sensible advice. It’s probably nothing to worry about but definitely worth getting to the bottom of what’s causing it (pun intended)

Personally I’d push for an MRI as that’s the best diagnosis tool afaik.

[BoomerPride]

I have my planning scan next week and have started taking laxatives and Windeze every day as instructed.

Two to three weeks after the planning scan radiotherapy will commence. I agreed to 37 sessions over 7.5 weeks with a total dose of 74gy. This will cover the pelvic or leg nodes as well as the prostate to be sure of blasting the area comprehensively.

I am mostly not looking forward to reclining in the LINAC with a full bladder!

[ClaphamGT3]

AstonZagato said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

westberks said:

ClaphamGT3 said:

I'm 54 and currently working on losing weight and getting fit. Just had a routine blood test due to hypertension and cholesterol. Agreed with the GP to do a PSA test as well just because of age.

Somewhat horrified that the result came back as 5.02. No symptoms of anything untoward except the need to get up for a pee in the night becoming more frequent over the last few months (which I put down to age).

NHS GP can't do a consultation until next week unless I luck out with a same day appointment tomorrow, so speaking to a BUPA specialist this evening.

Bugger.

hopefully nothing serious, but good that you have BUPA to progress matters with

Thanks. Update. Spike to advanced nurse practitioner at BUPA. She seemed pretty sanguine. Saif that 5.02 was elevated but not worryingly so, especially as no other symptoms to speak of. She said to see GP and push for another blood test. If result same or lower, push for regular monitoring, if higher, push for further tests (MRI, prostate exam, possible biopsy).

Feeling better but still somewhat uneasy

Sensible advice. It’s probably nothing to worry about but definitely worth getting to the bottom of what’s causing it (pun intended)

Personally I’d push for an MRI as that’s the best diagnosis tool afaik.

Managed to get a f2f appointment with my NHS GP at 8.00am this morning. She's referred me for an MRI scan. BUPA emailing over a list of consultant urologists now. Might be next week before I actually see anybody as I am under the knife this afternoon for an inguinal hernia repair. If I were a horse, they'd shoot me.....

[Mr Pointy]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Managed to get a f2f appointment with my NHS GP at 8.00am this morning. She's referred me for an MRI scan. BUPA emailing over a list of consultant urologists now. Might be next week before I actually see anybody as I am under the knife this afternoon for an inguinal hernia repair. If I were a horse, they'd shoot me.....

Have a read of this page - note there are also four sub sections on the left:

https://prostatematters.co.uk/diagnosis/multi-para...