NFR Prostate Cancer

[StuinSalop]

Blood results in. All good PSA 0.05.  Should easily make 70. Another milestone.  Live life everyone.  On way to London now to see the family.

[ScalleysDad]

Blood results in. All good PSA 0.05.  Should easily make 70. Another milestone.  Live life everyone.  On way to London now to see the family.

Nice one.
Let's keep the stories going.

[Logicalman]

I can only add my thanks to everyone pushing this, and special thanks to Sunburywhite for starting this thread.
From my own perspective, I, and I magine others over here, have been very fortunate inasmuch that medical Insurance plans here allow for annual testing from the age of 50 for free, and so I am tested regularly whether I want it or not. Mine has gone up over the last 15 years and is now 1.3 but as the normal value: < OR = 4.00 ng/mL, I'm fortunate to still be good.

My father died of cancer and I thought I had an angle on that, but I will admit, I was totally ignorant of the seriousness of this until the missus (a nurse) advised me accordingly and quite forcefully.

I would only add my voice to all the guys on here, GET TESTED, think of the club, we don't have enough fans to lose even one to this.

[Logicalman]

The Gleason scale range goes up from 0 or undetectable to 10. The higher the number the bigger the problem that exists.

Interpretation:
Gleason 6 (3+3): Low-grade cancer, cells look similar to normal cells.
Gleason 7 (3+4 or 4+3): Intermediate-grade cancer, cells look somewhat different from normal cells.
Gleason 8-10 (4+4, 3+5, 5+3, 4+5, 5+4, 5+5): High-grade cancer, cells look very different from normal cells.

So my 4+5 was why the medics were concerned!!

Great to see this information being posted, there are obviously different scales being used around the globe, this is one from the US


PSA


Normal value: < OR = 4.00 ng/mL

Value:   1.33

The total PSA value from this assay system is standardized against the WHO standard. The test result will be approximately 20% lower when compared to the equimolar-standardized total PSA (Beckman Coulter). Comparison of serial PSA results should be interpreted with this fact in mind.
.
This test was performed using the Siemens chemiluminescent method. Values obtained from different assay methods cannot be used interchangeably. PSA levels, regardless of value, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of disease.

[sunburywhite]

TV presenter Dermot Murnaghan has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer.
His post started: "Some personal news......I've been diagnosed with Stage IV advanced prostate cancer."

He continued: "I'm responding positively to their excellent treatment, and feeling well.

"I'm blessed to be fortified by the monumental love and support of my wife, family and close friends.

"Needless to say my message to all men over 50, in high risk groups, or displaying symptoms, is get yourself tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS.

"Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms."

[bunter]

TV presenter Dermot Murnaghan has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer.
His post started: "Some personal news......I've been diagnosed with Stage IV advanced prostate cancer."

He continued: "I'm responding positively to their excellent treatment, and feeling well.

"I'm blessed to be fortified by the monumental love and support of my wife, family and close friends.

"Needless to say my message to all men over 50, in high risk groups, or displaying symptoms, is get yourself tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS.

"Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms."

You beat me to it, sunburywhite. Came here to post this. Coincidentally, I remember learning about Bill Turnbull's prostate cancer on this messageboard after someone had raised it here. Feel like I grew up with Bill and Dermot presenting the news so this is another sad day. I was only saying recently to my father (also diagnosed with PC) how well Dermot has aged. Little do we know what's going on and how this disease can take hold without symptoms. Best of luck to him.

[sunburywhite]

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut, which sits just below the bladder within the pelvis, and is part of the male reproductive system

Common symptoms can include needing to urinate more frequently, particularly at night; difficulty starting to urinate, weak flow and it taking a long time; and blood in urine or *****

It is most common in older age - among men over 75

Prostate cancers can behave very differently - some can spread quickly, but others are very slow growing and may need minimal or even no treatment

Your risk of prostate cancer is higher if you have a close relative who has had prostate cancer, and it is also more common in black men

Stage four means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body

About 50% of men will survive their cancer for five years or more after being diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, according to Cancer

[ffc73]

How do you get a test?

& why is there not a regular testing program like there is for women for breast & cervical cancer?

[Somerset Fulham]

How do you get a test?

& why is there not a regular testing program like there is for women for breast & cervical cancer?

If you have symptoms then go to your GP and they move fast. 

Here is the AI Overview on why there is no screening yet.

There's no routine prostate cancer screening program in the UK (and many other countries) because the most common screening test, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, has limitations. It can produce inaccurate results (false positives and false negatives), and while it can detect some cancers, it can also detect cancers that might not be life-threatening, leading to unnecessary treatment and potential harms

But you can buy kits online for about twenty quid, which after having to be checked earlier in the year, I think I might make a habit of doing.

[Stevieboy]

I must admit it is worrying, the system for getting the 'free test everyone is entitled to'' as advertised is not as easy as it sounds up here in Stamford though. You have to get past the receptionist first!!

[blingo]

Dont tell her the problem. It is personal information between you and your Doctor which she has no right to question. You call for an appointment and if she refuses to give you one go higher and report her.

[gang]

How do you get a test?

& why is there not a regular testing program like there is for women for breast & cervical cancer?

If you have symptoms then go to your GP and they move fast. 

Here is the AI Overview on why there is no screening yet.

There's no routine prostate cancer screening program in the UK (and many other countries) because the most common screening test, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, has limitations. It can produce inaccurate results (false positives and false negatives), and while it can detect some cancers, it can also detect cancers that might not be life-threatening, leading to unnecessary treatment and potential harms

But you can buy kits online for about twenty quid, which after having to be checked earlier in the year, I think I might make a habit of doing.

One test is a simple digital examination carried out by your doctor. Should they feel you have a problem they will give you a PSA test.

[sunburywhite]

Bumping this back up to the top with an update on mine

After having a couple of MRI, CT and Pet scans over the course of the last three months and with a 4+3 Gleeson score and a FSa that is way to high, they have now started me on hormone tablets for 4 weeks (this blocks Testosterone which feeds cancer cells), apparently it is effective staright away, I then have an injection of Zoladex or Goserelin in a couple of weeks and then every 3 months for the next two years. I then start radiotherapy at end of september every day for 4 weeks and then I should be clear all things being equal

Lucky it was found early and happy to be alive

[ScalleysDad]

Excellent news. It's a tough old course of treatment which at times will hit you back at bit. It is important to listen to your head and if you feel tired then rest. If you feel like a brisk walk take that walk but perhaps halve the distance and then see how it goes. Mad, bonkers cravings are good and I could list some things pregnant woman haven't even thought of. Walnut Whips anyone? Walnut Whips with marmite on the base?????
One of the things we talk about a lot where I help out a bit is that some men absolutely fly through treatment and come back in with a donation after running a 10k or even a marathon. That is absolutely fantastic but for many of us it's more about hitting a few targets along the way and not circling the wagons. When you hit a target, no matter how daft it is, celebrate it.
Best of luck with it all.

[sunburywhite]

Excellent news. It's a tough old course of treatment which at times will hit you back at bit. It is important to listen to your head and if you feel tired then rest. If you feel like a brisk walk take that walk but perhaps halve the distance and then see how it goes. Mad, bonkers cravings are good and I could list some things pregnant woman haven't even thought of. Walnut Whips anyone? Walnut Whips with marmite on the base?????
One of the things we talk about a lot where I help out a bit is that some men absolutely fly through treatment and come back in with a donation after running a 10k or even a marathon. That is absolutely fantastic but for many of us it's more about hitting a few targets along the way and not circling the wagons. When you hit a target, no matter how daft it is, celebrate it.
Best of luck with it all.

I wont have any Walnut Whip left mate lol

[BestOfBrede]

Bumping this back up to the top with an update on mine

After having a couple of MRI, CT and Pet scans over the course of the last three months and with a 4+3 Gleeson score and a FSa that is way to high, they have now started me on hormone tablets for 4 weeks (this blocks Testosterone which feeds cancer cells), apparently it is effective  : away, I then have an injection of Zoladex or Goserelin in a couple of weeks and then every 3 months for the next two years. I then start radiotherapy at end of september every day for 4 weeks and then I should be clear all things being equal

Lucky it was found early and happy to be alive

Keep positive Sunbury and the very best to you.

[Logicalman]

How do you get a test?

& why is there not a regular testing program like there is for women for breast & cervical cancer?

Perhaps this is a good question to raise with your local MP.

Another test that is being strongly pushed over here is the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using ultrasound, especially for any former (or current) smokers.

[C Block]

Just to add to the thread, I've been going through a bit of a scare recently and yesterday afternoon I was at Frimley Park Hospital for an examination and some tests,
The good news is that the enlarged prostate is benign but I do have to go in to Hospital for an operation to reduce the size of the prostate,
I did enquire as to the current waiting time for the operation and was informed that it will likely be 18 months 
Oh well I'll muddle along in the knowledge that one day hopefully I'll be back to normal.
But as others have alluded to its a bit of a disgrace that Men aren't automatically called forward for a simple test when they reach a certain age in the same way as women are, and nobody is more vocal about that than my dear wife, she thinks it's disgraceful.

[alfie]

Dont tell her the problem. It is personal information between you and your Doctor which she has no right to question. You call for an appointment and if she refuses to give you one go higher and report her.

Mine is a multi discipline surgery you do not have a dedicated doctor, the receptionist asks you basic questions so you can be directed to the most suitable doctor, works fine, and the 3 receptionists are extremely discreet and competent.
That obviously is not the same for everyone.

[blingo]

A GP is a GP Alfie all go through the same basic training to diagnose or direct you to a specialist. I don't understand why a receptionist should decide which Doctor should see you. Personally I wouldn't accept it, but of course, each to their own.