I am 67.
In November last year, a very good school friend died of Prostate Cancer aged 64 - he had been diagnosed in A&E in late 2019 with Stage 4 (Metastasized) Prostate Cancer.
A few days later his wife wrote a very brave article in the Telegraph describing Martin's journey and exhorting all men over 40 to have a PSA test.
So I did. On Friday 10 Feb.
On Monday 13th, my GP phoned and said the result was a little high and he was referring me on the NHS 2-Week Cancer Pathway.
On Sunday 19th Feb, I had and MRI at St George's, Tooting. On Tuesday 21st I met with a consultant who advised that the MRI had shown anomalies that strongly suggested Cancer and recommended I proceed to the next diagnostic stage - Trans perineal biopsy which could have been done 3 days later. But, as I was heading to Antarctica a couple of days later, we chose to delay this till after my return.
On Friday 24 March, I had a biopsy. On seeing the Procedure Plan, my wife remarked "Welcome to my world!" .... Arse in the air, feet in stirrups, farewell any form of dignity as an ultrasound probe was inserted in my back passage and local anesthetic and sharp instruments were applied in unmentionable areas.
On 6 April, I met with a Consultant Urology Surgeon. He asked why I had asked for the PSA. I explained about my friend and his wife. His reply was to the point and sobering: "She has just saved your life" I did have prostate cancer. It was significant. It was still within the prostate capsule but close to the edge. Watch and wait was not an option. I did have two options: Hormone therapy plus radiotherapy, which might be curative, or Radical Robotic Prostatectomy which would excise the prostate completely and the cancer with it.
On 14 April, I was called for my decision, I opted for the certainty of surgery.
On Thursday 11 May, I had the surgery. 6 holes in my belly! Two nights in the hospital and virtually no post-op pain.
On Monday 5 June, I met with the surgeon who reported that the Pathology analysis had confirmed a significant and extensive cancer within, but not extending beyond, the capsule.
Today, 4 July, the day after my 40th Wedding Anniversary, I met him again to receive the results of my post-op PSA test. Levels were "Undetectable" and I was discharged as Cancer Free.
Along the way, there have been post-op urine incontinence issues, but they were essentially resolved within 2 weeks of surgery. And there will be ongoing Erectile Dysfunction / Potency issues but lots of support in specialist clinics.
So Guys: Get Tested! Girls, tell your guys to get tested.
It is scary, and not all journeys will be as positive as mine, but if caught early the prospects of a complete cure are good and the journey to resolution short.
A couple of incidental points:
* My surgeon said that despite my having multiple co-morbidities (CML, Sjogren's syndrome, a long history of chest infections, and others) it was clear that my cycling fitness meant I was suitable for the surgery. During the op, my anesthetist remarked that my numbers were saying I was clearly very fit.
*During the Biopsy process, the consultant reported that a DRE test was "Normal", my surgeon later said that is not unusual and that PSA followed by MRI is a far better way to go. so guys do not rely on the Finger ask for a PSA.
Edit: I should have said. I was completely symptom free. AND had had DRE and PSA tests previously
In November last year, a very good school friend died of Prostate Cancer aged 64 - he had been diagnosed in A&E in late 2019 with Stage 4 (Metastasized) Prostate Cancer.
A few days later his wife wrote a very brave article in the Telegraph describing Martin's journey and exhorting all men over 40 to have a PSA test.
So I did. On Friday 10 Feb.
On Monday 13th, my GP phoned and said the result was a little high and he was referring me on the NHS 2-Week Cancer Pathway.
On Sunday 19th Feb, I had and MRI at St George's, Tooting. On Tuesday 21st I met with a consultant who advised that the MRI had shown anomalies that strongly suggested Cancer and recommended I proceed to the next diagnostic stage - Trans perineal biopsy which could have been done 3 days later. But, as I was heading to Antarctica a couple of days later, we chose to delay this till after my return.
On Friday 24 March, I had a biopsy. On seeing the Procedure Plan, my wife remarked "Welcome to my world!" .... Arse in the air, feet in stirrups, farewell any form of dignity as an ultrasound probe was inserted in my back passage and local anesthetic and sharp instruments were applied in unmentionable areas.
On 6 April, I met with a Consultant Urology Surgeon. He asked why I had asked for the PSA. I explained about my friend and his wife. His reply was to the point and sobering: "She has just saved your life" I did have prostate cancer. It was significant. It was still within the prostate capsule but close to the edge. Watch and wait was not an option. I did have two options: Hormone therapy plus radiotherapy, which might be curative, or Radical Robotic Prostatectomy which would excise the prostate completely and the cancer with it.
On 14 April, I was called for my decision, I opted for the certainty of surgery.
On Thursday 11 May, I had the surgery. 6 holes in my belly! Two nights in the hospital and virtually no post-op pain.
On Monday 5 June, I met with the surgeon who reported that the Pathology analysis had confirmed a significant and extensive cancer within, but not extending beyond, the capsule.
Today, 4 July, the day after my 40th Wedding Anniversary, I met him again to receive the results of my post-op PSA test. Levels were "Undetectable" and I was discharged as Cancer Free.
Along the way, there have been post-op urine incontinence issues, but they were essentially resolved within 2 weeks of surgery. And there will be ongoing Erectile Dysfunction / Potency issues but lots of support in specialist clinics.
So Guys: Get Tested! Girls, tell your guys to get tested.
It is scary, and not all journeys will be as positive as mine, but if caught early the prospects of a complete cure are good and the journey to resolution short.
A couple of incidental points:
* My surgeon said that despite my having multiple co-morbidities (CML, Sjogren's syndrome, a long history of chest infections, and others) it was clear that my cycling fitness meant I was suitable for the surgery. During the op, my anesthetist remarked that my numbers were saying I was clearly very fit.
*During the Biopsy process, the consultant reported that a DRE test was "Normal", my surgeon later said that is not unusual and that PSA followed by MRI is a far better way to go. so guys do not rely on the Finger ask for a PSA.
Edit: I should have said. I was completely symptom free. AND had had DRE and PSA tests previously
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