My experience with prostate cancer

[TerryUK]

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago. I went to my GP in January 2018 to report a problem with frequent urination. He did a DRE and recommended my having a PSA test. The result was a count of 7.8, high enough to warrant a biopsy.

I was offered the biopsy, but I refused, arguing that the MRI would be less invasive and less risky. The hospital accepted this and I was booked into the system for a MRI scan. The results strongly suggested areas of the prostate which may be cancerous. I then was given a MRI linked biopsy of my prostate. The doctor fires the biopsy needle 24 times into the prostate, guided by the nurse operating the software. The procedure was simultaneously amazing, shocking, sensational and frightening, pain-pleasure. It was to be the last time I felt any sensation from my prostate.

My Gleason grade was 3+4=7 stage 2a. When given these results I was offered an immediate course of hormone therapy which is the precursor to radioactive therapy. I this was because of my age of 76. However I had been given literature on the main alternative of a prostatectomy, so I asked if I could have the choice. I stress to all the men who this that this choice will critically affect there everyday life for years to come. I researched every aspect I could think of, browsing the medical literature, the accounts of patients who had undertaken the treatments and patient guidance given out by the NHS and cancer charities.

I was extremely grateful for a discussion of my MRI scan with the oncologist, who answered all my questions about the alternative treatments ( hormone and radiotherapy versus prostatectomy). I decided to request a prostatectomy because it is much quicker, it does not usually damage the rectum or the bladder, whereas the radiotherapy damages both, and the scan indicated that the cancer seemed to be contained within the prostate.

Thankfully I am normally healthy and active. I was also able to cite meta analysis which indicates that age hardly matters in the success of the operation provided the man is otherwise healthy.

I had a prostatectomy in May 2018 which was successful in every way. The Gleason grade was confirmed and the cancer was contained within the prostate. Later PSA tests reported undectactable PSA levels. I have the expected incontinence problem which is a minor inconvenience and the usual outcome of surgery of erectile disfunction.

I hold the British NHS in great estime and I shall be grateful to the end of my life for the care, consideration and professionalism shown by all the staff. They have given me my life back.

[NashTim]

its great to hear news like this, congrats you, you go boy...…...

[TerryUK in reply to NashTim]

Thanks Tim

I’m going to post something about how the cancer affected my sex life later. It’s different for sure.

[NashTim in reply to TerryUK]

go for it my friend, go for it

[EdinBmore]

I think all that one can say is, "Hip, hip, hooray." Happy for you that chose a course of treatment that worked for you.

EdinBaltimore

[TerryUK in reply to EdinBmore]

Thanks! The choices can be difficult and will depend on specific circumstances. For me one thing I had extra, missed out of my post, was access to a surgeon with an excellent record in prostatectomy work.