NFR Prostate Cancer

[blingo]

I had an enlarged prostrate and was put on Avodart years ago. (A take it for life tablet) I was also told not to ride a bike.

[sunburywhite]

I asked if I could play the piano after the operation

The surgeon said I could

I said thats amazing news as I could never play it before the operation

[SuffolkWhite]

Thanks for raising the issue Sunbury, I have booked a psa test with my surgery. The receptionist was OK but I did have to pressure her to let me have one. I'd had a test two years ago, and get the feeling they don't like giving the test out.

[gang]

Thanks for raising the issue Sunbury, I have booked a psa test with my surgery. The receptionist was OK but I did have to pressure her to let me have one. I'd had a test two years ago, and get the feeling they don't like giving the test out.

Receptionist seem to think their job is to prevent the patient from seeing the doctor.
My wife has just reminded me that I am married to one.😱

[RaySmith]

I had an enlarged prostrate and was put on Avodart years ago. (A take it for life tablet) I was also told not to ride a bike.

Interesting, as a keen cyclist myself. 

Champion track cyclist, Chris Hoy, who must be a very fit, still young, bloke, was recently diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, and I wondered if cycling had anything to do with it.

Cycling certainly can affect the old downstairs department,'numb nuts syndrome,' but there are the essential  mental health benefits of exercise for me,, plus the overall health benefits.
And now running is becoming harder with my aging legs and knees, though there's always swimming!

My dad died of prostate cancer, and his main symptom was severe lower back pain, but when he eventually went to the hospital it was too late. I feel bad that no one encouraged him to get it checked out earlier, but I was in Scotland, and my mum  was dead, though my adopted brother was around. He was my adoptive dad, so  I'm not particularly at risk of getting it, as far as I'm aware.

[Southcoastffc]

I've just had my first PSA test, and its 6.43, so Ive got to go in tomorrow, is that high?

Its above where it should be, but not a bad reading but definately needs checking out

A little learning is a dangerous thing. My latest reading,  which was the same as 3 months earlier, was 11.  Consultant urologist: "that's OK, it's consistent with the size of your prostate"  I've had no problems or symptoms beyond earache from my wife saying every man over a certain age should be checked and yes my PSA levels are relatively high, but after thorough procedural checks, no fault found, just monitor 6 monthly.

[Dodger53]

Finger up your ar5e funnily called a digital examination and even a biopsy which is, I think, the nearest a bloke gets to giving birth is still better than dead, you'd miss us winning the prem next year

[Fulham 1879]

If you're 50 get a PSA. I had my prostate removed 3 years ago due to cancer at then age 63. My twin brother had radiotherapy in the form of implanting radioactive seeds in the prostate instead. Both of us are now cancer free. However, in the embarrassing need to make full and frank disclosure to help anyone else afflicted, I was left urinary incontinence. Luckily, further surgery sorted that out by the fitting of an artificial urinary device (AUS). It's invisible, but incredibly they put a button in your scrotum under the skin which you press when needing to go. Very effective. I jokingly offer my chums the option of either holding my todger or pressing the button, but they don't seem keen on either. What I would say before opting for prostate removal is:
1. Consider all treatment options.
2. If removal isn't necessary to spare your life go for the most non-invasive option.

[Gloucester White]

Wish I had the faith that you guys have for our health service. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about 8 years ago. I had 4 bouts of pancreatitis involving around 4 weeks in hospital on a drip each time, and was under the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. Then they stuck a camera down me to examine my pancreas - they put you under to do that. Just as I was coming round from the anesthetic the doctor told me she had found a tumour and they would be in touch. She then disappeared, leaving me barely conscious and shocked.
I was then transferred to the Churchill hospital (the cancer hospital in the John Radcliffe group) where the consultant wanted to remove most of my insides during an 11 hour operation. Later, they decided I wouldn't survive the operation and basically sent in home to die.
I did some research online and found a doctor in the USA who had success curing pancreatic cancer just by giving the patient large doses of iodine. It worked, the iodine burnt away the tumour. It's not possible to overdose, it just turns your pee a spectaclur shade of orange! The survival rate for patients having the usual pancreas operation is 12% after 5 years. 8 years and counting, so far I am beating those odds.

[BestOfBrede]

Wish I had the faith that you guys have for our health service. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about 8 years ago. I had 4 bouts of pancreatitis involving around 4 weeks in hospital on a drip each time, and was under the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. Then they stuck a camera down me to examine my pancreas - they put you under to do that. Just as I was coming round from the anesthetic the doctor told me she had found a tumour and they would be in touch. She then disappeared, leaving me barely conscious and shocked.
I was then transferred to the Churchill hospital (the cancer hospital in the John Radcliffe group) where the consultant wanted to remove most of my insides during an 11 hour operation. Later, they decided I wouldn't survive the operation and basically sent in home to die.
I did some research online and found a doctor in the USA who had success curing pancreatic cancer just by giving the patient large doses of iodine. It worked, the iodine burnt away the tumour. It's not possible to overdose, it just turns your pee a spectaclur shade of orange! The survival rate for patients having the usual pancreas operation is 12% after 5 years. 8 years and counting, so far I am beating those odds.

Excellent news and congratulations- long may your health last 👍

I agree re the NHS too - it's appalling imo!

[Gloucester White]

Wish I had the faith that you guys have for our health service. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about 8 years ago. I had 4 bouts of pancreatitis involving around 4 weeks in hospital on a drip each time, and was under the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. Then they stuck a camera down me to examine my pancreas - they put you under to do that. Just as I was coming round from the anesthetic the doctor told me she had found a tumour and they would be in touch. She then disappeared, leaving me barely conscious and shocked.
I was then transferred to the Churchill hospital (the cancer hospital in the John Radcliffe group) where the consultant wanted to remove most of my insides during an 11 hour operation. Later, they decided I wouldn't survive the operation and basically sent in home to die.
I did some research online and found a doctor in the USA who had success curing pancreatic cancer just by giving the patient large doses of iodine. It worked, the iodine burnt away the tumour. It's not possible to overdose, it just turns your pee a spectaclur shade of orange! The survival rate for patients having the usual pancreas operation is 12% after 5 years. 8 years and counting, so far I am beating those odds.

Excellent news and congratulations- long may your health last 👍

I agree re the NHS too - it's appalling imo!

Thanks. Of course iodine will never be allowed to treat cancer because it can't be patented, so 'big pharma' can't make a fortune from it!

[Staffs White]

Hope you're doing ok Sunbury this is a subject close to me and needs shouting from the highest hills and roof tops thank you for being so brave to post this

My dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer last year but sadly it's now too far gone for him to ever go into remission. With treatment they hope 3-5 years, and as a double whammy he was also diagnosed with skin cancer (which someone else mentioned in this thread)

I've also lost an uncle to bowel cancer and my brother to leukaemia so know the dangers of it all only too well

Get tested folks it will save your lives

[sunburywhite]

Sorry to hear your news Staffs White, sorry to hear about your Dad, ask him all the questions you can think of because sadly when he is gone there won't be anyone to give the answers

My Dad died of Parkinson about 4 years ago, that is horrible watching him slide into this shell of a man. I think I would go to Switzerland if I got diagnosed but the point I am making is even now my wife and I will see something and we will say "Dad will know" but of course we can't ask him now

[Staffs White]

Sorry to hear your news Staffs White, sorry to hear about your Dad, ask him all the questions you can think of because sadly when he is gone there won't be anyone to give the answers

My Dad died of Parkinson about 4 years ago, that is horrible watching him slide into this shell of a man. I think I would go to Switzerland if I got diagnosed but the point I am making is even now my wife and I will see something and we will say "Dad will know" but of course we can't ask him now

Thanks mate and sorry to hear about your dad it's unbearable watching someone you love slip away

I need to have an open conversation my dad because we both fit the stereotype of not talking about our feelings, we just nod to each other and move on with life without acknowledging what's gone on.

Thank you again for highlighting this

[ScalleysDad]

It is absolutely brilliant that we are taking more interest and notice of our bodies and not leaving things to chance or waiting for somebody else to make a decision for us. I would urge a degree of caution on looking at age as a spur to checking things out. I had a small cyst on a ball that was written off as just that with the rationale that I was mid forties and testicular cancer was a younger man's "issue". Two return visits later my GP acknowledged I was "right to present again" and the week that followed was an absolute rollercoaster with surgery, prep and the start of eight weeks of chemotherapy because my scan looked like a billiard table with pockets of cancer all over the place.
Let's try and keep self awareness going and if you feel something is not right for goodness sake stay off google and try and see an expert. I really do sympathise if you have a mission getting an appointment with a GP but look out for initiatives advertised from time to time that offer free blood tests or check ups. Boots in Exeter were handing out free packs so you could send a sample of poo off to a lab for testing. Now theres a comedy sketch Morecombe and Wise could have covered!!!!

[blingo]

Agree with you 110% Mr Scalley. STAY OFF OF GOOGLE. If you've got a splinter in your finger, look it up on Google and you'll end up cutting your arm off at the shoulder.

[ScalleysDad]

Agree with you 110% Mr Scalley. STAY OFF OF GOOGLE. If you've got a splinter in your finger, look it up on Google and you'll end up cutting your arm off at the shoulder.

I would just add, before the topic slips away to page two, that should anybody want information on the C word or indeed if they are directly or indirectly affected by it the main charities such as MacMillan, Cancer Research Uk and if you are down these parts FORCE at the RD&E has lots of  information services available.

[Shredhead]

There is a great equivalent of this thread on the Brighton and Hove Albion messageboard. It was started by a bloke in Ruislip who I've now met a couple of times for coffee.
https://www.northstandchat.com/threads/prostate-cancer.398631/

[sunburywhite]

Great link Shredhead

[mrmicawbers]

20 years ago I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate by a Doctor who lived in the same street as me.I was relieved when she got to examine me and not her husband who was also a GP as he had hand like a shovel.A vicar who lived in our street used to invite the neighbours round for a Sherry over the Christmas period.On one the occasions the Lady Doctor was there and the Vicar introduced us to each other.She had no idea who I was until I pulled my trousers and pants down and bent over.Anyway the last bit is a fib but the rest is true.