Prostate cancer

Tallman

Tallman

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1,841
Thanks for the post, reminds me to book my annual, it’s been a couple of years due to COVID - my Doc still does it the old fashioned way….. But hope all goes well with yours! Are there no adverse affects/risks from the radiation?
 
allandwf

allandwf

Member
Messages
11,013
jasst said:
I am not one to shout about my problems, but if one person benefits from this then it will be worth it. About a year ago I was diagnosed as having Prostate cancer. It all started a couple of years ago when I started not being able to go through the night without needing a pee, I knew this was a sign of possible prostate trouble so got booked in for a PSA blood test. My levels were slightly raised, but not dramatically, so it was decided to watch it, I was tested every 6 months, and each time my levels would go up, about 18 months ago I had an MRI scan which showed that my prostate was double the size it should be, and then It was decided I should have a biopsy, this involved having 42 needles inserted in my groin to take core samples, cancer was found in twelve of the samples. The good news was that it was non aggressive, and was confined to the prostate. After discussions with other members of the family I decide to go on an enhanced monitoring program, because my brother, step father in-law and my late father also suffered from it and had no treatment. I found out this year that my cousin has it, and it has spread to his spine, I don't think the prognosis is good, so following discussion with my consultant after my PSA levels continue to rise, I decide to have something done about it whilst I could have the least invasive sort of treatment. This was in August this year, I thought I would be waiting months due to the Pandemic, but oh no, he said it would be around 6 weeks, as they have worked all the way through by just altering working practices. So tomorrow I will be going to Poole hospital for 'Permanent seed brachytherapy' which involves having radioactive seeds inserted in my prostate, which stay there for ever slowly diminishing in strength while zapping the cancer. Hopefully this will sort it out, one of my customers had it done 20 years ago, and he is fine. I dare say there are others on this forum suffering the same, and a large percentage of men will die having prostate cancer, but not of it, and never knowing they had it. So my friends, don't ignore the signs, get it checked.
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Thanks for sharing. A friend has started much the same treatment. My father was treated for it and never had further issues. Something we should all be aware of , we need to look after ourselves and others, life's too short Best wishes , hopefully all will be well
 
jasst

jasst

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2,319
Tallman said:
Thanks for the post, reminds me to book my annual, it’s been a couple of years due to COVID - my Doc still does it the old fashioned way….. But hope all goes well with yours! Are there no adverse affects/risks from the radiation?
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There are risks/ side effects from the radiation, I am not allowed within 1m of pregnant women or pre pubescent children, and if I peg it in the next 20months I am not allowed to be cremated, but the procedure I am having carries the least risk of side effects than any other. My consultant urologist is very much of the 'cut it out' ilk, now if you know what the effects of having that done are, well it's a complete non starter for me! ;) I would probably still be going down the 'enhanced monitoring route' if it were not for my cousins situation, so it seemed prudent to get something done now whilst I have options, rather than wait till I had no choice.
I would just like to thank you all for the support you have shown me, it means a lot, It is not easy going through something like this at the best of times, but is even more of a challenge when you live on your own, as I do.
 
redsonnylee

redsonnylee

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Messages
1,550
That’s a good write up & a lesson to us all on getting checked out regularly. I’m on a slightly different journey my PSA is 10 x higher.
The NHS and especially the Royal Marsden are amazing. We are very fortunate to have them.
Best wishes on your treatment.
 
MarkMas

MarkMas

Chief pedant
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9,008
jasst said:
.....My consultant urologist is very much of the 'cut it out' ilk....
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A surgeon was saying to me the other day that you spend 10 years learning how to operate, then 10 years learning when to operate, and then finally 10 years learning when not to operate.
 
G

Gooner

Member
Messages
448
@jasst What a thoughtful post and good luck for tomorrow.

If anyone is looking for more information about prostate cancer, I can recommend the Prostate Cancer UK website.

prostatecanceruk.org

Prostate Cancer UK

We want to stop prostate cancer being a killer. We fund groundbreaking research, drive improvements in treatment, and fight injustice in care.
prostatecanceruk.org prostatecanceruk.org

Diagnosis and treatments have developed a lot over recent years, so if you are put off getting checked because you think it’s just about a finger up the bum and a horrible operation, it’s worth finding out the facts - it’s much better these days. PCUK and others are also putting a lot of money into researching more accurate tests.

A lifelong friend died from it; three others are living normal, healthy and long lives with it. The only difference between them is one wasn’t diagnosed until way too late. As a result I try to raise awareness and money for the charity, so sorry if this comes across a bit preachy.
 
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c4sman

c4sman

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1,264
Apart from some nutter on this thread claiming calliper colour is less important, love this thread. Men need to read this, take note but more importantly TAKE ACTION. Big thank you for sharing Jasst and wishing you the very best of luck with your treatment.
 
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philw696

philw696

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Wishing you all the best from France and thanks for posting and the forum doing what it's good at in supporting each other.
 
RoaryRati

RoaryRati

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1,654
Mr RR had raised PSI level - but refused a biopsy, etc. Now on statins and blood pressure pills and PSI levels back to normal..... Treatment can be a scary time (I know he has his first today - but for cancer in a different area) but having a good team of professionals can help and staying positive even more. It sounds like you have every chance of success - and I too know someone who had it who was successfully treated and now back windsurf teaching.
 
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