Prostate Cancer

[Horse]

Also:
DO NOT ask to see the biopsy tool....

Shortly before my excision op I was in Edinburgh. There's a huge bookshop, with a medical section.

So I looked it up. Bad move

[HiFi Kabin]

I just had an MRI & am all clear...

DO NOT ask to see the biopsy tool....

I'm going to ask if they can perform it without me in the room

[Count Steer]

I suppose I've got skin in this game too. Finger test some time ago. (After filling in standard 'how often do you pee, any hesitancy....yaddayadda). 'Yup enlarged'

The form summarised me as 'coping' and that was the last I heard from the GP surgery. Nagged them 12 months later for a 'routine' check. Downloaded and completed form before I went. 'We don't do finger tests any more'. 'Oh, does that mean a scan?'

'No'.

Right now I'm half way through a course of antibiotics to treat a UTI.

But, yeah I'm 'coping' and not suicidal about it.

They could at least try to sound interested and offer advice.

Sorely tempted to pay for a private consultation. (Either that or buy a BMW ).

[Count Steer]

Topic related - for those interested. Google 'microplastics in the prostate'. Lots of recent reports. 'Not conclusive but interesting' sums it up.

(There's similar fingers being pointed at studies on the brain too).

[HiFi Kabin]

Thats just not good enough. Mention "Jess's Rule" to your GP (assuming that you are in England of course)

Jess’s Rule is a primary care initiative to encourage GPs teams to rethink a diagnosis if a patient presents three times with the same symptoms or concerns, particularly if symptoms unexpectedly persist, escalate, or remain unexplained. It is led by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England and is supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)

.


https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/je ... e-rethink/

[Mr Moofo]

Not in a dissimilar position. I have a PSA test every 6 months - due to past scares
My PSA has gone from 2.6 to 4.1 . 4.1 is still in the normal range - but its a big jump - so waiting for the next test

[Taff]

I had my annual bloods done a couple of weeks ago and the nurse ticked the full screen box which included the PSA check, they usually only do the diabetes and cholesterol type stuff.
I thought it a bit odd as last year I got the 'it's all a bit shit' lecture, and this year they do it without asking.

Anyway, it's all good thankfully. (I'm more worried/relieved about not being diabetic for another year)

[Noggin]

True, but any indication that there MAY be a problem is better than doing nothing. After all, if I hadn't had the PSA test, I wouldn't have had "the finger" and I wouldn't have had the MRI

A high PSA reading isn't indicative of you having Prostate Cancer, but with no other symptoms its the best shot at catching it early.

Also both Cervical and Breast screenings give false positives. Should they be dropped? Obviously not.

I think the NHS can be a bit behind but also because so few people follow up the screenings.

I avoid the smear test for too long every time - I hate it and have been treated appallingly by nurses and doctors in the uk doing the procedure. If a patient is in tears, either they are in pain or they are fucking scared - do not tell them that they "are being silly, it's only uncomfortable, not painful" I would not be fucking crying if it wasn't hurting FFS. I have since found that the test here is done by the midwives and they are a lot less caring and less insulting (actually, very caring and never been insulted by one!) that my UK experiences!!

And the boobs squishing ?? - you fucking try it!

I'm currently trying to get the courage up to do the bowel cancer test - on the second asking. 100% stupid because my BDad had bowel cancer that was caught in the random test (his GP near home wasn't sending out the NHS screening tests but the doctor he sometimes saw near work was and he did the test and had a load of bowel removed. I know I should test and know, but I also don't want to know!


Having said that I don't follow up the tests as I should, I 100% agree that people should!! Do and I say, not as I do!!!

Biopsy booked for this Thursday @ 1pm.

Once you've approached the GP service regarding prostate related issues, for crying out loud, is it beyond their systems to schedule annual follow-ups

I totally agree, but as mere men we dont seem to matter.

. You sound like a menopausal women!! That's how most of us feel

[Count Steer]

Biopsy booked for this Thursday @ 1pm.

Once you've approached the GP service regarding prostate related issues, for crying out loud, is it beyond their systems to schedule annual follow-ups

I totally agree, but as mere men we dont seem to matter.

Hope it all goes well and turns out to be nothing nasty.

I think it's really more to do with the return on investment - for want of a better term. That'll probably continue until better screening methods are found.

The other factor is that lots of men die with cancer of the prostate but few of them die of it. It's often slow developing and only noticed if there's a post-mortem. Not all abnormalities are, thankfully, 'orribly malignant. (Same as skin cancers I suppose, they're not all malignant melanoma - thank heavens!).

[HiFi Kabin]

The other factor is that lots of men die with cancer of the prostate but few of them die of it.

Thats very true

[ZRX61]

Not in a dissimilar position. I have a PSA test every 6 months - due to past scares
My PSA has gone from 2.6 to 4.1 . 4.1 is still in the normal range - but its a big jump - so waiting for the next test

Mine went from about a 5 to 12.. "Oh, that's unusual, we better check it again.."

5...

That's why they just did the MRI a few weeks ago.

[HiFi Kabin]

I avoid the smear test for too long every time - I hate it and have been treated appallingly by nurses and doctors in the uk doing the procedure. If a patient is in tears, either they are in pain or they are fucking scared - do not tell them that they "are being silly, it's only uncomfortable, not painful" I would not be fucking crying if it wasn't hurting FFS.

My wife agrees with you, especially if that nurse or doctor has never experienced any problems themselves.

Some 40 years ago my wife was fortunate to have her Cervical cancer picked up early.

And the boobs squishing ?? - you fucking try it!

Every time my wife has a trip to the "waffle iron" she comes back saying "never again" but still goes (and will continue to go even after the mandatory cut off date) Lesser of two evils and all that

I'm currently trying to get the courage up to do the bowel cancer test - on the second asking. 100% stupid because my BDad had bowel cancer that was caught in the random test (his GP near home wasn't sending out the NHS screening tests but the doctor he sometimes saw near work was and he did the test and had a load of bowel removed. I know I should test and know, but I also don't want to know!

Knowledge is power, ignorance certainly isnt bliss

[Noggin]

I avoid the smear test for too long every time - I hate it and have been treated appallingly by nurses and doctors in the uk doing the procedure. If a patient is in tears, either they are in pain or they are fucking scared - do not tell them that they "are being silly, it's only uncomfortable, not painful" I would not be fucking crying if it wasn't hurting FFS.

My wife agrees with you, especially if that nurse or doctor has never experienced any problems themselves.

Some 40 years ago my wife was fortunate to have her Cervical cancer picked up early.

That's brilliant that it was picked up early. Having friend like that and also some where it wasn't picked up early, is the only reason I do get checked - I am better at it here than in the UK, I think I had 3 in about 20 years there. Have done every three years here (supposed to be every 2 I think - but still, better!)

And the boobs squishing ?? - you fucking try it!

Every time my wife has a trip to the "waffle iron" she comes back saying "never again" but still goes (and will continue to go even after the mandatory cut off date) Lesser of two evils and all that

Oh man, the "waffle iron" - I now have something to make me laugh when I'm there next!!

I'm currently trying to get the courage up to do the bowel cancer test - on the second asking. 100% stupid because my BDad had bowel cancer that was caught in the random test (his GP near home wasn't sending out the NHS screening tests but the doctor he sometimes saw near work was and he did the test and had a load of bowel removed. I know I should test and know, but I also don't want to know!

Knowledge is power, ignorance certainly isnt bliss

I know, I just get a mental block. Not good I know.

[HiFi Kabin]

Good News. Just had a phone call and its not cancer so I'm discharged from the Cancer unit back to my GP.

I am so glad I asked for the PSA test earlier in the year

[weeksy]

Good News. Just had a phone call and its not cancer so I'm discharged from the Cancer unit back to my GP.

I am so glad I asked for the PSA test earlier in the year

That's fucking brilliant

[Taipan]

Good News. Just had a phone call and its not cancer so I'm discharged from the Cancer unit back to my GP.

I am so glad I asked for the PSA test earlier in the year

Top news! Buy a lottery ticket whilst you're on a roll!

[HiFi Kabin]

Top news! Buy a lottery ticket whilst you're on a roll!

PLAN!

Thanks both

[Saga Lout]

Good News. Just had a phone call and its not cancer so I'm discharged from the Cancer unit back to my GP.

I am so glad I asked for the PSA test earlier in the year

Good news indeed.

Mind you, the good news for people who get bad news about prostate cancer is that it's treatable. Four years ago I got the bad news after the biopsy (worst pain I've ever experienced) and had radiation treatment. I have 6 monthly PSA tests and they've been clear so it's not the end of the world if the biopsy comes back positive.

Get tested guys.

[Count Steer]

Marv!

[Dodgy69]

Our Doctor doesn't do psa tests so tonight Mathew, I've booked in at an event at Ludlow golf club on Saturday July 25. £20 for the pleasure.