More Prostate Cancer Issues

[alan e]

I would be happy with lets check it to be on the safe side, it must save the NHS money in the long run. i have had two ops for a enlarged prostate in the past and still have to beg for a PSA test and have been turned down.

[chris.t]

I call the surgery, ask for a blood test. They don't ask what it's for. The nurse taking the blood is the only person who asks. There seems to be no continuity in the system.

[esprit888]

As i have also been down the road no one wants to travel (which turned out to be nothing in my case) my reading led me to understand that the PSA test is not a panacea but more of a guide. All men have a gene predetermined level of PSA so you have to first get a baseline, which is why its better to start getting tested earlier in life rather than later. The problem previously was a higher than normal number of false positives resulting in treatment that was either unnecessary or had no benefit to the patient. Recent recommendations are for no treatment based solely on PSA results unless its a gradual increase, DRE's and scans are the way to go. I would also say that the annual DRE my doctor does is so basic and hurried that it would have to be a grapefruit before identified. The urologist on the other hand (pun intended) is so adept that A.) I didn't even know he was there! and B.) very thorough. I had a sudden and unexplained spike in my PSA (two separate tests) which set off all kinds of alarm bells and a battery of tests, the end result was a set of false positives and years off my life with the waiting for the results. I hope everything works out John, a positive diagnosis is not the end, there are a ton of options but the extremely expensive user pay U.S. health care system is a model that thankfully few developed countries follow. Good luck!

[Brit-Car-Nut]

As i have also been down the road no one wants to travel (which turned out to be nothing in my case) my reading led me to understand that the PSA test is not a panacea but more of a guide. All men have a gene predetermined level of PSA so you have to first get a baseline, which is why its better to start getting tested earlier in life rather than later. The problem previously was a higher than normal number of false positives resulting in treatment that was either unnecessary or had no benefit to the patient. Recent recommendations are for no treatment based solely on PSA results unless its a gradual increase, DRE's and scans are the way to go. I would also say that the annual DRE my doctor does is so basic and hurried that it would have to be a grapefruit before identified. The urologist on the other hand (pun intended) is so adept that A.) I didn't even know he was there! and B.) very thorough. I had a sudden and unexplained spike in my PSA (two separate tests) which set off all kinds of alarm bells and a battery of tests, the end result was a set of false positives and years off my life with the waiting for the results. I hope everything works out John, a positive diagnosis is not the end, there are a ton of options but the extremely expensive user pay U.S. health care system is a model that thankfully few developed countries follow. Good luck!

I am fortunate (maybe) that because I am participating in the leukemia treatment trial at NIH, my team sent my prostate biopsy results to the oncology department and they immediately had me fly to Maryland and did all of the necessary tests to verify the diagnosis and then offered to perform the prostatectamy with the new robotic system. I was there last week getting ready for the surgery that was scheduled for June 27 but woke up the day after my flight with a cold I picked up on the flight to the hospital. They sent me home for a month to recover (the leukemia makes it hard for me to get over colds and flu). I will be going back in late July to have the surgery and hormone treatments and then they will follow my recovery as part of their research.

My biopsy returned really bad results: 12 samples taken and 6 were Gleason 8, 2 were Gleason 7 and the rest were negative. The highest (bad) score you can get is 8. I am optimistic that this will be the best solution possible and NIH will take any measures necessary to help me.

I still think everyone our age should have a PSA and an annual DRE that is monitored by a doctor that actually cares. My doctor caught my leukemia in 2007 and also caught the prostate cancer earlier than it could have been since I had no other symptoms.

If anyone in the USA wants to get a PSA but their doctor won't order it, I can help some of you use a broker that will for most states (some states outlaw direct lab orders) order the tests for less than $50.00. If anyone wants more details, just send an email with your questions. I have had to learn how to get things done with no insurance, so I am willing to offer my knowledge and experience to help others get control of any issues they might be having.

[Saltire]

Glad to hear, John, that your situation is looking hopeful. If only were in a position to help with the NHS, which, IME, is neither national, health-related, nor a service. “Postcode-dependent sickness management rationing scheme” might be a better description [cynic mode = OFF]

[DaveT]

BCN wrote-
My biopsy returned really bad results: 12 samples taken and 6 were Gleason 8, 2 were Gleason 7 and the rest were negative. The highest (bad) score you can get is 8.

Not so!

I had twelve biopsies all 4 + 5 therefore Gleason 9

For Steve A-- your GP is a wanker- you should get a new one.
Please get me his e-mail address so I can put him right on a few things
If he's over 50 ask him if he's been tested

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Dave, I only stated what I was told last week. I always thought it was a scale of 1 to 10, but, last Wednesday, my surgeon said they changed it and now 8 (4 + 4) was the most aggressive form. Maybe disciplines between countries are a bit different. The surgeon was unhappy they had to delay my surgery and he said they would be in touch this week to reschedule.

[DaveT]

https://www.prostateconditions.org/abou ... ason-score

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Obviously, my surgeon misspoke.