Prostate PSA test warning

[Morrison10]

It’s five years today since my husband was killed by prostate cancer after a 14 year battle with it but also with the NHS. His PSA blood test reading was always very low, and therefor he was denied treatment until really ill. The senior medics and prostate cancer research know that the PSA test is unreliable. I regret having to be so gloomy, but I might save a life with this warning. Jean

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Back in 2018 my father was diagnosed with that and it was incurable and he died back last April of copd and sleep apnea.

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What a terrible thing to happen to your poor husband, Jean. Prostate cancer should be one of those that men die with, not of.

It wouldn’t have helped your husband, but there’s a new type of MRI scan for the prostate now, called multiparametric. It’s much more detailed than a standard MRI so any men reading this & needing a scan should make sure the hospital they’re referred to has this new machine. Luckily ours does & my husband was able to avoid even biopsies as no trace of cancer was found. He still has yearly PSI tests and I will bear your warning in mind, if he starts getting symptoms. Thank you for the post x

[sassy59]

Thank you for your post Jean and for sharing your dear husbands story. So sorry he wasn’t taken seriously until too late. I’ll keep a close eye on Pete. Xxx💜

[MoyB]

I'm very sorry to hear that your husband was not well treated and died as a result. I think you have done a wonderful thing, using the anniversary of his death to think of others and warn them about the potential pitfalls of the PSA test. My husband has prostate issues and I will share your husband's experience with him so that he can be better informed.

Thank you for your post. I hope that you can now take some time to remember the more joyful parts of your husband's life and remember his pre-illness days too.

xx Moy

[Morrison10 in reply to MoyB]

Thank you, yes make sure your husband has good treatment. I have lots of happy memories, including when took motorbike to Jerez southern Spain, and had to go to local hospital to be catheterised! Fixing it and bag under leathers was challenging, fortunately we had spare braces etc. We had great week in good weather exploring, including Seville, lovely place with amazing gardens. Good luck to your husband and you.

[MoyB in reply to Morrison10]

My husband has to self-catheterise now but for two weeks he had to have an indwelling one with a bag. I am wondering how on earth your poor husband got it into his leathers! It must have given you both quite a laugh at the time!

I have never been to Jerez or Seville but believe them to be beautiful places to visit. Doing the trip by motorbike must have been a fantastic experience. Lucky you! xx Moy

[Morrison10 in reply to MoyB]

Hi, yes getting into leathers was challenging, fortunately my husband was slim. We didn’t ride bike down to Jerez. Our daughter, (who is now totally crippled by primary progressive multi scoloris, is totally unable to walk, spends life in expensive wheelchair) and her then husband, were keen bikers racing round circuits. A company did all arrangements, took bike by road on trucks, and we flew out four days later to collect bike from circuit. Our bike was only one with headlights and number plate! The deal also included staying at good hotel near circuit. This meant we were away for only week, as we were then helping my mother, who lived alone even when she was 111. My daughters husband later said he couldn’t live with disabled person and did his best to push her out of house, now divorced Yes riding round the lovely countryside and little villages was wonderful. We had intercom on bike and could talk, I did sometimes have to remind Geoff that I needed a pee, he was ok of course! My best wishes to your husband and to you. Jean xxx

[MoyB in reply to Morrison10]

❤️ xx Moy

[Alberta56]

Thank you for your post. My husband is currently undergoing prostate investigations, but they seem optimistic that it is not cancerous. He had a scan of some sort recently-will have to see if we can find out what sort. On a brighter note both my brothers have been successfully treated for prostate cancer. Your trip to Seville sounds magical- I would love to go one day.

[Morrison10 in reply to Alberta56]

Hi, yes Seville is beautiful, massive cathedral, elegant buildings, and the gardens, centuries old, with pools on roofs. Equally as good as Alhambra were most tourists go. Happy memories. Hope you get there soon. Jean xxx

[Alberta56 in reply to Morrison10]

It sounds delightful. xxx

[Izb1]

So sorry to read your husband didnt get the treatment he needed and thank you for posting this warning to others. Thankfully my son in law had better treatment and had his tumour removed successfully x

[Dedalus]

Thank you for posting this Jean. Sorry to hear that your husband didn't get the treatment he deserved. If even one life is saved you've done a great job xx

[HollyBoyd]

I'm really sorry to hear your husband didn't get the treatment he deserved, but your memories are very precious. Thank you for the post and the warning. My husband has just had the diagnosis of prostate cancer after his psa was elevated, his bone scan was clear but the CT scan of pelvis showed the cancer had gone into the lymph nodes. The consultant hoped the 6 monthly injections will give him another 5 years, which my husband, who is 83, considered a good innings!! I hope one day there will be screening for all men over a certain age to prevent unnecessary deaths. Best wishes xxx😊

[Morrison10 in reply to HollyBoyd]

Hi, thank you for your reply, so sorry about your husbands diagnosis, has he been offered chemotherapy as well as injections? Best wishes, Jean xxx

[HollyBoyd in reply to Morrison10]

Hi Jean. Not chemo but radiotherapy but decided against it , it didn't appear to give him much longer and possible residual damage. I guess these are options if needed down the line? Thanks for your wishes xxx