White Culture

[sidjameson]

In the UK at the moment. Mid 50's. Had a couple of PSA tests. 3.9 and 3.6 Then an MRI which showed a 12mm lesion. Went for the biopsy, getting results on Tuesday 15th. The Dr already said that given my age and health (generally pretty good) he would recommend a prostatectomy!!!!

 

Haven't had results yet, but preparing for the worst. Would appreciate others experiences. Willing to have treatment here on NHS or pay back in Thailand.

 

Just want the best decision based on survival and quality of life. This is part of my research. Thanks.

[Sheryl]

At your comparatively young age, and assuming a localized cancer,  main choice would be between prostatectomy and radiation.  And within thise categories there are additional choicese.g. conventional vs robotic surgery, widebeam radiation vs. Implants (brachytherapy).

 

Precise biopsy findings would help guide this. And indeed since you don't yet have biopsy result, possible you do not even have cancer. 

 

If results come back malignant suggest you get more than one opionion in UK. Note that possible to get consultation  privately, you don't have to limit yourself to NHS for that. (Indeed, even private treatment in UK is similar to costs of private care in Thailand.) 

 

Where in UK are you? 

 

 

[sidjameson]

Thank you Sheryl.

I'm in Exeter, south west England.

 

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, sidjameson said:

Thank you Sheryl.

I'm in Exeter, south west England.

 

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-miles-a-goldstraw

 

once you have biopsy results, and if they show malignancy

[sidjameson]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-miles-a-goldstraw

 

once you have biopsy results, and if they show malignancy

Thank you

[simon43]

Don't assume that it's cancer.  I traveled back to the UK 18 months ago after 2 lumps appeared on a Bumrungrad MRI.  My PSA was around 14.  But my NHS doctor said cancer unlikely, based on his own experience and stats.  After 24 biopsy samples, no cancer found, but benign calcium stones found in my prostate!  So wait for your biopsy results and good luck! (I was 64 years old at the time).

[sidjameson]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

Don't assume that it's cancer.  I traveled back to the UK 18 months ago after 2 lumps appeared on a Bumrungrad MRI.  My PSA was around 14.  But my NHS doctor said cancer unlikely, based on his own experience and stats.  After 24 biopsy samples, no cancer found, but benign calcium stones found in my prostate!  So wait for your biopsy results and good luck! (I was 64 years old at the time).

Thanks Simon. Hard not to go to worst case scenario, at least for me 😂

 

[LivinLOS]

On 10/13/2024 at 8:57 AM, sidjameson said:

Thank you Sheryl.

I'm in Exeter, south west England.

 

Father has had superb treatment at nuffield for prostate and under a (very fair priced) copay for bupa. 

[simon43]

3 hours ago, sidjameson said:

Thanks Simon. Hard not to go to worst case scenario, at least for me 😂

 

Yes, it's important to consider the worst case scenario and what your options are.  I went through all of this, allayed my fears, identified a path that I preferred to go down that seemed the best for my future health.  It was a big shock (and happy present) when the NHS nurse phoned me late on a Friday evening to say that no cancer cells were found 🙂

[sidjameson]

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

Yes, it's important to consider the worst case scenario and what your options are.  I went through all of this, allayed my fears, identified a path that I preferred to go down that seemed the best for my future health.  It was a big shock (and happy present) when the NHS nurse phoned me late on a Friday evening to say that no cancer cells were found 🙂

Simon, I've just found this....

Now as a lay person it seems to suggest all outcomes are the same regardless of taking surgery or even doing nothing, at least over a 15 year period.

I know you're a scientist and no doubt smarter than me. I'd probably take 15 years and see....and average age of death is 80...I'd certainly take that.

I prioritise healthy lifestyle and would rather live less years but not incontinent than get on average a few extra years but die not with my boots on but a nappy instead!

 

Any thoughts?

 

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-03-13-study-shows-delaying-treatment-localised-prostate-cancer-does-not-increase-mortality

Edited 2 hours ago by sidjameson

[simon43]

I'm no doctor 🙂 (Ask Sheryl).  But my understanding of prostate cancer is that it is usually a slow-progressing kind of cancer, and many men who opt for no treatment die WITH prostate cancer, but not BECAUSE of prostate cancer.

 

But then there are the small number of prostate cancer cases which advance rapidly, and which could be slowed by medical treatments.

 

I think the idea that all those who have had prostate cancer treatment have to wear a nappy is far from correct.  Bear in mind (with my non-doctor's hat on), that it's bladder control (or lack of it) that leads to urinary incontinence, not issues with your prostate (please check this with Sheryl!).

 

I have perfect bladder control, but my BPH and UTIs mean that I use the toilet many times each day, just to relieve the sensation of wanting to pee.  But I can sleep a full night and travel outside for hours without needing to pee - I just need to put that sensation out of my mind.

 

If I were 75 years old and had prostate cancer, I might consider having no medical treatment.  But at a younger age, and in otherwise good health, I (personally) would prefer to seek some treatment (and of course there are various options).

 

 

[still kicking]

Let me ask a silly question how do you know you have prostate cancer? 

[simon43]

8 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Let me ask a silly question how do you know you have prostate cancer? 

The only sure way (I'm not a doctor), is with a biopsy to withdraw cells from your prostate and then examine them for signs of cancer.

 

A raised PSA can be an indication of prostate cancer, but it doesn't confirm cancer.  My PSA value is always about 9, but I don't have cancer.  It's raised because of BPH and UTIs.

 

An MRI can detect unusual lumps inside your prostate, but it doesn't confirm cancer.  My MRI shows 2 lumps inside my prostate, but they turned out to be benign cancer stones.

[still kicking]

4 minutes ago, simon43 said:

The only sure way (I'm not a doctor), is with a biopsy to withdraw cells from your prostate and then examine them for signs of cancer.

 

A raised PSA can be an indication of prostate cancer, but it doesn't confirm cancer.  My PSA value is always about 9, but I don't have cancer.  It's raised because of BPH and UTIs.

 

An MRI can detect unusual lumps inside your prostate, but it doesn't confirm cancer.  My MRI shows 2 lumps inside my prostate, but they turned out to be benign cancer stones.

So I guess I am wasting my time getting this done I am 77 now and will kick the bucked shortly. 

[simon43]

31 minutes ago, still kicking said:

So I guess I am wasting my time getting this done I am 77 now and will kick the bucked shortly. 

Unless of course if you have a very aggressive form of prostate cancer, in which case you might be dead in 6 months....... 🙂