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batfink
Free MemberI would caution people for issuing, or listening to medical advice from strangers on the internet – particularly about a subject so nuanced as this.
But then again, reading your well-reasoned and nuanced advice, there are exceptions
@vlad_the_impaler I had a TURP carried out in late 2020 where sections of the enlargement were removed to allow a better flow and an ability to empty out properly. My concerns were being unable to get to the office without needing a stop (40 minutes travel on a bad day). Before the procedure I was retaining 100ml plus of urine afterwards and recently it's 3ml (the joys of an orange-sized prostate rahter than the normal walnut-sized one).
@batfink is correct for the advice thing on testing and treatment plans. All you can go on is how close does a person's experience mirror yours. My concerns were being unable to get to the office without needing a stop (40 minutes travel on a bad day).
I come from a line of chaps with big prostates and at one time cancer was detected in one of the biopsies. Fortunately the sampling seems to have removed it but I will remain a low risk cancer patient until I die or it re-occurs (this has had benefits for COVID and flu jabs as I now get them free as a 'vulnerable' person, which is nice).
most men will put-off making an appointment to have a stranger put a finger up their bottom (although this is obviously highly context specific)
Some men will want to make an appointment to have a stranger put a finger up their bottom? 😉
But yes, agreed with all your points. One of my 2025 resolutions is to go and get an initial PSA/ finger test - over the last 6 months I'm noticing definite changes in night-time peeing (also getting long-sighted, which may not be related...) and want to at least get a baseline for later PSA tracking.
By way of an update from my post on the first page, I got some bloods taken and got the mildly uncomfortable test done earlier today - all ok thankfully. Really glad I got it done and glad this thread exists, thanks for the advice guys.
If you have doubts or concerns it's definitely worthwhile at least discussing it with your doc.
Bit of an update from me - as I said earlier I'm under supervision due to an elevated PSA and benign enlarged prostate for over 12 years. Recently had a quarterly PSA and it is still rising, but not massive so they sent me off for another MRI. Scan showed a slight increase in size, but also a small area of different tissue composition - so I'm off for a biopsy next week. Wasn't entirely encouraged by Stanley's experience from his blog, so stealing myself for some discomfort. Encouraged by the fact that whatever they find it's still early as I'm not really showing any other symptoms (like blood in wee) and there are possibly more treatment options if they do find something.
Best of luck Dovebiker 👍
Wasn't entirely encouraged by Stanley's experience from his blog, so stealing myself for some discomfort.
My experience was that the discomfort was dentist level - painful but not outside the boundaries of previous episodes.
OK, update from me....
The biopsy wasn't as painful as I was expecting - fortunately they only took 6 samples, so the discomfort wasn't too prolonged - think industrial stapler up the rear passage, complete with operative's hand 😳 (well, that's what it felt like)
However, 3 of the samples came back positive but at the lowest level. There's a clinical review this week and the nurse looking after my case thinks they'll recommend active surveillance rather than further treatment - surgery or radiotherapy. I'll find out Thursday. So ongoing PSA blood tests, MRI's and biopsies as necessary.
There are also a couple of other treatment that aren't quite as invasive - cryotherapy or ultrasound but they're not readily available on the NHS and whether they are suitable.
Also looking at things like my diet - cancer apparently thrives on glucose.
Wasn't entirely encouraged by Stanley's experience from his blog, so stealing myself for some discomfort.
Usually this is caused by the very attractive woman wielding the staple gun.
However, with this method I felt very little discomfort. Most of the other GP/consultant sessions just pushed straight in....
Yeah there is quite a range range in terms of discomfort. But even the worst is not that bad, and it genuinely is about 5 seconds.
(I'm on TRT so have had many prostate tests, think it was one every 6 months at one point.)
@dovebiker (and others)
That's great that they haven't found anything too sinister and all the best for Thursday.
I've read loads and loads of papers, theories and opinions around other things we can do to beat the cancer or, at least, to improve our odds. Oncologists always insist "there's no evidence to support change of diet" but I don't fully buy into that. I've certainly reduced my sugar intake although still have the occasional splurge. I'm beginning to believe that maintaining a steady blood sugar level is most important (one of my consultants agrees). Also, exercise loads. They all agree on that.
Mini-update from me... PSA down from 374 to 0.35; just returned from a cycle training camp in Mallorca; strength training regularly; about to take up running (to offset bone thinning caused by treatment), VO2 max increasing; FTP beginning to improve; several big events this year... and I'm feeling great 🙂
Obviously this won't last forever, but nothing does. There are some new drugs that should help when my hormone therapy stops working, etc., etc. I wish it wasn't so uncomfortable to sit down and that I had a little more energy but I'm genuinely content with my lot... Still spreading awareness wherever I can and probably the happiest I've ever been 🙂
I had a PSA test done as I was having a blood test for other reasons. It came back highish so had another test and it had dropped so the GP was happy. Fast forward another 3 months or so and during an outpatient visit the doctor wanted to change some medication but was concerned about the high PSA so arranged with uroligy for a biopsy.
Well that was a scream in more ways than one.
There I am stripped off with my feet in stirrups and a doctor firing long darts between my arse and nutsack. Then the young nurse said can you pull up on the towel that she had previously laid up the front of me.
It's wasn't until I gave it a good tug what I found out it was tapped to my balls to hold them out of the way. Talk about a sack and crack wax!
So I now have the big C and when told this a young Macmillan nurse was sat there and she proceeded to give me a folder all about cancer.
Not sure she expected my reply.
I said about the cancer, if it's free then I'm in the queue. I also said everytime I get Cancer I get a better folder 😁 it's my 3rd folder.
That was 6 months ago, just had 2nd blood test but don't know results yet.
Absolutely no symptoms and at the moment I couldn't give a flying F about it.
70 year old and still scaring the poo out of me mountain biking 👍
between my arse and nutsack
Pretty sure the medical term is barse. Or gooch, perhaps 🤣
But that sounds... eye-opening! One of my to-dos this year is get to the GP for a PSA check/ bum-finger test, but from reading this thread, and a stats book, I appreciate it's a bit more complicated than "you've got it, get treated" vs not
I do not think I have see a single opposing view from anyone with Prostate cancer.
My FIL has prostate cancer. It’s not at a stage where any intervention is being done about it, rather they monitor and decide what to do if it grows. Having discussed what he will do it if it grows I suspect he might be in the “it would actually be better not to know camp”. He gets a PSA every six months, sometime it’s elevated and he goes for another MRI (or CT?), a second PSA and it’s OK. He’s had biopsies in the past with subsequent infection. The worry between the PSA and getting the “stick to doing nothing” message is high, not just for him but MIL (and others). They do a lot of foreign travel - they plan it around the cycle of these tests. Getting insurance cover is increasingly difficult. If there was a way for someone to monitor it all without him even knowing he would be much happier.
BUT he’s in his late 70s - he has already exceeded his life expectancy when he was born, and having seen his mother and mother-in-law decay slowly with dementia in a care home I think he would rather that something took him before he had to go through that indignity.
Apologies if this has already been posted but if it's of interest there is a link to Prostate Cancer Uk's risk checker that they have sent out in their latest mailshot suggesting people add it to their own email signatures which sounds like a fairly good idea if your work policy permits.
Check your risk in 30 seconds | Prostate Cancer UK
Unfortunately I already know I am considered higher risk as a direct family member has just had a positive diagnosis out of the blue at 57 with their prognosis compared by their oncologist to Chris Hoy.
Finding a tiny bit of blood in their seamen around Christmas preceded a high psa test with no other symptoms apart from the slight oddities with taking a pee that we all get as we get older and choose not to think about.
Prior to this a routine pas test 18 months ago was normal so this has gone from nothing to - try to slow this down at best relatively quickly, which suggests to me it is sensible to have them done a bit more often.
I was at the 'Evening with Sir Chris Hoy' talk last night at the Glasgow Concert Hall. A great time, though quite moving and triggering in parts (I was diagnosed nearly 11 years ago and had successful prostate removal and remain cancer free). The last question he was asked was around what he would like his legacy to be and he finished with a really strong message around Prostate Cancer early identification urging all to spread the word about the PCUK Risk Checker, and follow up with GP if medium or high risk
Pretty sure the medical term is barse.
Also known as the t'ain't, being neither one thing nor the other.
I had a second slight raised test. If I’d been a year older it would have been normal. To my suprise i was referred to eurology. Who then sent an MRI appointment. I get the result tomorrow. I think the result will be that it’s enlarged and they’ll monitor it….
Pretty sure the medical term is barse.
Also known as the t'ain't, being neither one thing nor the other.
Huh, etymology galore! Never see Susie Dent covering the taint (as it were)!
I had a second slight raised test. If I’d been a year older it would have been normal. To my suprise i was referred to eurology. Who then sent an MRI appointment. I get the result tomorrow. I think the result will be that it’s enlarged and they’ll monitor it….
Better to be safe than sorry and it's great its been jumped on 👍
I'm down for 3 monthly tests at the moment and maybe indefinitely depending on how the results of the BRCA gene test come back. PSA's have all been low to date but an enlarged prostate is already in place.
Pretty sure the medical term is barse.
Also known as the t'ain't, being neither one thing nor the other.
Biffins Bridge
There is a particular side-effect of Tamsulosin. If you're active in that way (solo or with company ©Frank Skinner) .. Not a major issue, but can be quite.. erm disappointing.
Mentioned because it's not something I've ever seen mentioned. Even I'm cagey about it! But yeah, it's a thing.
There is a particular side-effect of Tamsulosin. If you're active in that way (solo or with company ©Frank Skinner) .. Not a major issue, but can be quite.. erm disappointing.
Mentioned because it's not something I've ever seen mentioned. Even I'm cagey about it! But yeah, it's a thing.
At least now I have something to blame
Never see Susie Dent covering the taint (as it were)!
That would probably worth some of our English Pounds
Mentioned because it's not something I've ever seen mentioned. Even I'm cagey about it! But yeah, it's a thing.
Was on Tamsulosin for years before getting a laser rebore so I can second that. Tamsulosin relaxes the muscle round the prostate which can have a negative effect on, shall we say, emissions. As you say its a side effect that's hardly ever mentioned.
So the conclusion is that my MRI is inconclusive. Apparently there is a lesion. Digital test, apparently it felt benine.
So we are trying antibiotics to see if that drops the psa and retesting in 3 months
So the conclusion is that my MRI is inconclusive. Apparently there is a lesion. Digital test, apparently it felt benine.
So we are trying antibiotics to see if that drops the psa and retesting in 3 months
Mentioned because it's not something I've ever seen mentioned. Even I'm cagey about it! But yeah, it's a thing.
Was on Tamsulosin for years before getting a laser rebore so I can second that. Tamsulosin relaxes the muscle round the prostate which can have a negative effect on, shall we say, emissions. As you say its a side effect that's hardly ever mentioned.
Still not sure what I'm missing here....
I've never had one and tbh I've no intention of having one, whether blood test, digital or whatever. I've no symptoms and tbh I'm happier not knowing. Same with stool tests, I didn't bother with that either when the recent one came.
I've lost 2 good friends to cancer in the fairly recent past. Both had miserable last few years with severely debilitating treatments eating into their quality of life so while they did in theory have longer lives I'm not convinced they were better ones, and then they died anyway. One regretted (prolonging) treatment and wished they'd been brave enough to say no thanks.
I'm 55, I've done pretty much most of what I 'need' to do, my family would be very secure with insurance, pensions and DiS benefits, and I feel very old and worn out with the arthritis that affects my Mum's side of the family really starting to get hold. That's not a suicide note, I hope I don't get cancer just a reflection of how I see quality vs quantity, and if I was to get it I think I'd rather have a 'too late, already spread' prognosis than one like my friends and feel obligated to have it treated. I'm not judging anyone on here that chooses a different option, it's entirely your call.
I spoke openly to a friend about this and they called me 'selfish' - if you can't make a free choice about matters like this then what do you really have agency over?
I sort of know where you are coming from and support your right to choose.
I’ ve fallen into this after a doctor said that i should have a psa test added to some other blood tests. I knew had an enlarged prostate and it was inevitable i would end up in the system. My dad has needed treatment for an enlarged prostate for years and you can’t really seperate out the cancer diagnosis . His isn’t cancerous
On the other hand i know a quite a few people living really great lives years after a cancer diagnosis and treatment. One would be dead without intervention at the earliest possible opportunity. Some have needed really minor intervention to get their lives back
My father in law was diagnosed with prostate cancer about age 80. Had non invasive treatment to contain it but was determined he wanted quality of life not length of life.
He had 5 good years before he ran out of options, and went fairly contently 4 months after. I'd be happy with a similar outcome