NFR Prostate Cancer

[sunburywhite]

Ok boys

Lets start with a few things

It is not "discussed" by men for various reasons, we need to look at it

I have been diagnosed with it but luckily enough it is only about 6 months old and I have had fantastic care from the NHS and an amazing surgeon who has explained everything so well so I will survive

Often there are no outward signs so when you find out it can be too late

Given that
1. It is a taboo subject - all of you get tested please. Its only a blood test, you dont get a finger up your ar5e. Its now 50+ years old people who are getting it
2. I am lucky that it has been caught early and will probably die from other thing than the cancer so again get tested so you can catch it early
3. 1 in 8 men get it and if caught early enough they all live long lives 10 years plus

[ffcthereligion]

An important post Sunbury, and thank you for making it. Wishing you all the best for your recovery

[Somerset Fulham]

Had a scare myself earlier in the year, its not a nice thing to go through.

Wishing you all the best in your recovery, Sunbury

[jayffc]

Ok boys

Lets start with a few things

It is not "discussed" by men for various reasons, we need to look at it

I have been diagnosed with it but luckily enough it is only about 6 months old and I have had fantastic care from the NHS and an amazing surgeon who has explained everything so well so I will survive

Often there are no outward signs so when you find out it can be too late

Given that
1. It is a taboo subject - all of you get tested please. Its only a blood test, you dont get a finger up your ar5e. Its now 50+ years old people who are getting it
2. I am lucky that it has been caught early and will probably die from other thing than the cancer so again get tested so you can catch it early
3. 1 in 8 men get it and if caught early enough they all live long lives 10 years plus

Sadly you lost me at "you don't get a finger up your @rse" ...what fun is a blood test

In all seriousness though glad to hear you are doing ok and for sure will get a general health look over soon as a result of this message, as I've been putting it off

[sunburywhite]

I am fine thanks boys and will come out of it al Ok but the point I am trying to make is for all of you to get tested

[sunburywhite]

If I can save one life I have done well

Bloke across the road from me has been diagnosed with agressive cancer and may have 6 months at best

Trouble is there are no obvious signs except testing and the only cost to that is your life

[sunburywhite]

1 in 8 of us on this page are likely to be having it, either now or in the future

Dont give death a chance

[Somerset Fulham]

1 in 8 of us on this page are likely to be having it, either now or in the future

Dont give death a chance

Good man for raising this. 

We as a forum, should be doing more of this about a multitude of things really.

[Surlyc]

If you don't mind me asking sunburywhite, what prompted you to get the blood test?

[Oakeshott]

Good luck SunburyWhite.

I was diagnosed with pc in April 2015, had the prostate removed and, fortunately, on checking it in the lab the cancer had not yet reached the edge, after which it can move into other parts of the body with dire consequences.

I've had my psa taken every few months ever since and it is negligible. My consultant oncologist told me in January that I had close to zero chance of it returning - it would be a Lancet article if it did, given the initial finding and the last ten years of entirely satisfactory psa tests. She advised me to have a psa test every six months, but only to see her again if, wholly unexpectedly, it suddenly rose substantially.

My son's neighbour's father was diagnosed at much the same time. Unfortunately his had gone through the prostate gland wall into other parts of the body, when the prognosis is five years if one is lucky (or was ten years ago; there have been improvements in treatment since). He didn't make a year.

I assumed that I was having a psa every year as part of the blood tests my GP took every year, but found that was not the case - too many false positives to make it cost-effective! My first consultant said that is rubbish. Yes, there are false positives, and indeed false negatives, but enough cases serious enough to need  surgery or radiotherapy are found, and if found early can be effectively treated. In his view every man should have an annual psa test every year from age 50 and if, like my sons, your father or other close blood relative has had it, start at age 40.

Like so many, I had zero symptoms and only asked my GP for my first psa test - insisted, actually - when by chance I met a friend in the local Sainsbury car park and he had that morning been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

Apparently almost every man aged 70 or older will have some cancer in the prostate, but for the large majority they will die with it, not because of it because it is essentially benign. But for those like me whose cancer was potentially of a more aggressive type, early identification is, quite literally, a life-saver.

Quite incredible that in this day and age Joe Biden doesn't seem to have had a psa test since 2014. It will likely cut his life short by several years, for want of tests that, if done privately in the UK cost less than £200.

[The Enclosurite]

I recently got called in for an NHS health check, while I was there I mentioned that my late Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was wondering if this qualifies me for testing.  The nurse said yes and immediately put me through for a blood test.  I am 48 so I don't believe this is limited to 50+ so please still query with your GP if it something that concerns you like it did me, they may put you in for the test earlier.  As mentioned, the earlier it is caught the better.  Fortunately my test came back clear but I will certainly be asking for regular testing going forward if I get the opportunity.

All the best with your treatment/recovery sunburywhite.

[HV71]

My respect for this forum is going through the roof right now. The absolute bravery and honesty is , quite frankly, amazing.Sunbury White you honestly deserve a medal for fronting up on this subject. To you and Somerset I Take my hat off . Your posts can only do good.
My best wishes to you and a huge "thank you"

[Ludlow Richard]

Thanks for posting this SW. There is a massive reluctance among men to discuss prostate cancer in particular and urology issues in general. If your post encourages just one person to go to his GP, then your post has been a success. Delighted for you that you've had very decent care. It's what we should all get for all problems.

[Ludlow Richard]

There is also a widespread embarrassment and deep-rooted reluctance among men of a certain age about going to a doctor to discuss bladder or prostate or general urological problems. If you have a problem or have noticed a change in your bladder habits, go and get checked out.

[legana]

Best wishes to you Sunbury. Finally visited the docs recently too about some personal health concerns but should have really gone and got the ball rolling far earlier.

[BarryP]

Prostate cancer touched my life through my father who unfortunately did not get this advice early enough. It's great advice and I thank you for sharing it sunbury.

[blingo]

Great post Sunbury. I've just had a bladder cancer scare. Just a little blood in my urine that lasted no more than 24 hours and wasn't that notable. Luckily after a biopsy and a stent between my bladder and kidney, I've had the all clear, and my prostrate is a normal size for a 68 year old man.

As you say,if this all saves just one person, it's been worth posting

Stay safe all.    

[gang]

Wish you well sunburu. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 3 years ago and had a series of radio therapy treatments, fortunately when I had my first sign I went to the doctor next day, scared.
I couldn't have chemotherapy because of a heart condition. Fortunately after my treatment which I found very tiring my PSA fell from 8 to undetectable.
My first sign was blood in my urine.
Best wishes on a full recovery.

[gang]

If you don't mind me asking sunburywhite, what prompted you to get the blood test?

I don't know about Sunbury but blood in my urine was my first sign.

[iansthailand]

Couple of funny (i think so) stories about my little episode in a Thai Hospital.
My Doctor advised me to have the camera down the throat and up the rectum so, off i go to Samrong Hospital. There is this lovely, very large, nurse who i'd joked with before so i said can i have the camera down the throat first, in all seriousness she said it's ok we use two cameras.
Later in the week i go for the procedure and i'm lying on the trolley and this rather stern-faced nurse turns up and indicates i should open mouth, which i did. She then produces a spray bottle like an old-time gunslinger and sprayed this stuff down my throat, not being ready for it, it came straight back up covering lady po-face. One very unhappy nurse. Luckily everything was ok.