The earlier the better.....

I think I have visited my doctor on two occasions, since I was 21.  I'm now 54.  I had a bit of a health scare this year, that turned out to be a cyst.  But as a result my NHS consultant (we are so lucky to have a wonderful, if under funded health service) suggested a PSA test, which has turned out to be high.  No symptoms, and all tests so far have been quite positive - I have a biopsy on Monday 18 November to check everything out.  Even if the news is bad, prognosis these days is not too bad…..
But early diagnosis, or better still, early monitoring, is even better.  My consultant wanted the tests because I have not had any medical problems, so there have been no health checks for decades.  I'm sure I'm not alone.

My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 70.  He is 90 now…….

I don't know what the outcome of the biopsy  will be….. but it has been a  shock, simply because it was so unexpected because I have had no symptoms at all…… so asking for a check is the wisest thing to do….

Michael

Hi Michael,
 
False positives due to an enlarged (BPH) or inflamed prostate (infection) are common. An annual medical checkup with a DRE is probably a better screen.The only definitive diagnosis is a multicore biopsy. If prostate cancer is diagnosed then PSA kinetics can become an effective monitoring tool.

Routine PSA screening depends. History of prostate cancer in the family? Forty years old. No history? Fifty years old. Afro-American? Over 45 (and this does apply to the UK  - WW2 and immigration). Over 70? Not recommended here as overdiagnosis can have more harm than "watchful" observation or "watchful waiting". Same I think in the UK. 


As usual, consult your medical practitioner on a regular basis. It's a two-way process.There is a lot of misinformation out there on the internet.


Nigel

Michael

Hope everything turns out OK

Someone told me yonks ago that tomato ketchup contained loads of stuff that was good for putting off prostate cancer.  Urban myth or truth - not sure but I make sure I get my fill of "tommy sauce"

Best wishes

Barry

Thank you Barry…. Now if only it had been HP sauce, I'd be immune!
Regards

Michael

Two servings a week of tomato sauce reduces the risk (protective association) especially if there is a family history. It's the primary source of bioavailable lycopene, considered to be the active compound. Known since 2002. Pizza, pasta, lasagna (tomato sauce with fat!), ketchup. Lots of other associations for increased risk such as smoking, bmi, excercise, family history…(the last applies to almost all cancers).

Nigel

lycopene [rich] …. includes red 'bell'/'sweet' peppers. Twice a week here in curries, salads, stuffed with cherry tomatoes, garlic and black olives and roasted with the Sunday animal roast….

I await Wednesday 20th for biopsy result of a lump taken recently from my thyroid.
 
D

Well, I had the biopsy this morning.  Not as bad as I had feared or built up in my mind.  I have to say the NHS staff were amazing.  I sometimes think we view the NHS as an organisation…. which it is.  But it isn't the organisation alone that is amazing, it is the thousands of individuals who make it an organisation that are so special.  It was so "fuss" free….
There were a few comedy moments - I won't go into details -  but as someone who would be extremely embarrassed and awkward about such things, it proved to be a painless procedure in more than one way.

I ached a little afterwards, but that soon passed.

Results on 3rd December - hopefully an early Christmas present.

Michael

Ah, always a pleasant surprise when your expectations are truly exceeded. It often just takes meeting a few amazing to move you to a happier place.
Bon courage Michael for the 3rd and hopefully more smiles.

Best,

Bill

I hope all goes well Micheal, going through the motions and getting the biopsy is the first step, and a brave one.

The nursing staff all over the world seem to be angels that care for us no matter what the illness, kind, compassionate, and willing to help.

They have seen it all, believe me!

My thoughts will be with you.

Thank you chaps, sadly not the first to go through all of this here, and probably not the last.
I'm definitely taking it all one step at a time…

Michael

I missed this post whilst in UK recently Michael but so pleased the "event" turned out to be better than you'd expected.  Believe me, many of us have been there before you.  When I had my first "experience" I couldn't help wondering what my certain specialist "Dr Vladermann the Bladder Man" replied when his wife asked him what sort of a day he'd had at the office ……………………….

Fingers crossed for you that the results on the 3rd turn out well too.

Thank Peter, knowing others here have been through it (and worse) is a comfort.
I hope you had a good time back in England and didn't get caught up in any of the floods!

Michael

Had a great time thanks Michael - County Durham and Edinburgh and Angus in Scotland - visiting family.

Fortunately, I wasn't caught in the floods although my son was - a cancelled train from Rugby to York causing double loading on subsequent trains.

I did however, pass through the flooded areas on my way south coming home.  An absolutely terrible scene - more akin to being on the coast than miles inland.  I feel for them all ………..

Well, they brought my appointment forward for the results.  Unfortunately, two of the twelve samples showed cancer, so now it is a case of choosing treatment options.  All options are available, so I have some thinking to do.  I meet with Surgeon next Monday and the oncologist some time after that.  At least the prognosis seems quite good - or as good as it can be with cancer.
I feel a bit numb about the news, but doctor and cancer nurse seemed positive, so I will share that optimism!

Michael

Not the best news Michael but it could have been worse.

Yes, keep positive…

Absolutely.  There will be people who receive much worse messages.  I am convinced it is essential to keep a positive outlook and be upbeat.  A lifetime of teaching philosophy has taught me to be philosophical about most things, and this is no different. 
So long as I "finish" the railway…….

Michael

I use the story ; "him" upstairs won't take me until I finish the D&S - that is why I keep doing small changes before I get anywhere near to finishing…..

Hahahaha!  Then I will keep a symbolic unfinished section!!
Michael

Good to see you're taking the news and keeping positive Micheal

I kept a positive outlook even tho I was feeling very ill with the chemo, there's always someone that's worse off than yourself ! (I'd hate to see the poor bugga that's last on the list!!)

Keep your chin up mate 

[user=2187]Phat Controller[/user] wrote: 

(I'd hate to see the poor bugga that's last on the list!!)

That made my day  :doublethumb