Come on boys - how many of you have had an initial PSA test, or a least a discussion with your MT since reading this topic?
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I did last week, he said as I don’t have any symptoms and I’m only 45 I shouldn’t worry. Even so, I agree with @anon88888878 and would encourage you to discuss it with your Doctor
Here they are; (some anyway)
- Burning or pain during urination.
- Difficulty urinating, or trouble starting and stopping while urinating.
- More frequent urges to urinate at night.
- Loss of bladder control.
- Decreased flow or velocity of urine stream.
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
That’s great James! My MT added the PSA test to my annual ‘bilan’ (full bloods) when I turned 50.
Just as a reminder - I never had any symptoms and I was 53 when diagnosed. It is highly likely the cancer had been developing over the previous 4-5 years. Luckily for me the cancer had not metastasised (spread) to other parts of the body and was restricted to the prostate.
The actor Ben Stiller was diagnosed in 2014 at the age of 48 after commencing PSA testing at age 46. Like me, he is an advocate of early PSA testing based on our own life saving experiences. However, this CNN article about Ben gives a more rounded, unbiased view which may help:
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/04/health/ben-stiller-prostate-cancer/
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BBC Breakfast are running a focus on cancer this week and featured prostate cancer this morning. Take a look at this short video and please remember that, for me (at 53 years old), there were absolutely no symptoms and that the simple PSA test saved my life. Please get tested 
Hi folks - just a quick update. I had a robotic prostatectomy back in June at the age of 53 and I had my 3rd post operative blood test yesterday and so far so good - my prostate cancer remains undetectable, phew!
I now move on to 6 monthly tests for the next 4 years before being given the all-clear - normal for most common types of cancer. Always stressful waiting for the results but at least in France they are available for me online within a few hours of the blood sample being taken - amazing service!
I just thought I’d share one of the latest videos from Prostate Cancer UK simply to raise awareness and hopefully encourage you guys to take a simple PSA test. At 53 I never had any symptoms or problems - my cancer was signposted due to my vigilant MT who added PSA onto my annual blood tests when I turned 50. Don’t be fobbed off by your MT / GP - it’s your life - not theirs! Insist on it. Ignoring prostate cancer won’t beat it.
I’m really pleased to be able to wish you all a very happy Christmas and all the very best for 2017!
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My GPS has been prescribing PSA tests every year since I was 50, all OK so far but keeping a keen eye was my dad was diagnosed at 60 - he is OK, but on lifelong medication.
I guess one thing that makes us blokes a bit embarrassed about talking about it is the issue of sex/erectile dysfunction problems after an operation for prostate cancer - I see it hasn’t been mentioned at all on this post. It’s apparently not so much of an issue after the robotic prostatectomy, but “things” aren’t quite the same.
So glad to hear that you are OK Simon
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Hi @Mark and good news about your PSA tests. My younger brother was the first person to know about my diagnosis because prostate cancer can sometimes be genetic / hereditary. His PSA levels were tested the day after and all was well - he’ll be tested every year from now on as a matter of course.
You’re absolutely right about blokes being embarrassed about possible side-effects but - they are soooooo much better (I think) than being dead !
The two biggies for me were post-op incontinence and erectile dysfunction.They vary in their severity based on age, the type of procedure / treatment you opt for, possible complications arising from surgery etc etc. No two guys will be the same.
For me, the incontinence issue dried up within about 5-6 weeks with the help of a small Kegel8 machine - bloody brilliant and did the trick - essentially strengthening my pelvic floor to give me back full control. I’d always joked about Tena Men - I don’t anymore because they were invaluable to me at that time.
As for erectile dysfunction (ED) - that can take a bit longer to fix - it really does depend on the extent of any nerve damage sustained when the prostate is removed during surgery. Robotic surgery (Da Vinci) is generally more precise in this respect - at least it was for me. Again ED is normally treatable in the short term via various methods (drugs, pumps, injections etc) until normal service (!) is resumed - which may take up to 18 months or even longer in some cases.
The other major issue is ejaculation following prostate removal - in that there isn’t any because the seminal vesicles are always removed along with the prostate. Together they are responsible for producing around 90% of semen released during ejaculation. Younger guys (generally) may choose to have their sperm frozen pre-op for any intended use later on.
So - it’s an orgasm Jim - but not as we know it! 
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Hi - just to say I’m another one who discovered PC due to a PSA test. I’ll not share the whole story, but essentially it was like most others - my doctor added PSA test to other blood tests, and next thing I know, at age 56 I was diagnosed with an inoperable cancer. The French medical system has been marvelous - my GP referred me to Montsouris hospital (One of the best in France) and treatment started 4 years ago with hormone therapy and 38 sessions of RT. I also got the “special treatment” of the injection of three gold grains into the offending area - allowing (as my specialist said) “millimetric precision” when shooting the radio beams.
So here I am, Four years on, fighting fit. And YES. DO get the PSA test, I would say from 40 45 years on.
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Simon and John, hats off to both of you for being so open and honest about the "after effects " of treatment, surgical or medical. Most people think that after a prostatectomy, that’s it regarding an active sex life, albeit not quite the same. I guess the drive is still there😉
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Yep, thanks for the post, very interesting for those of us now in their 50s. Saw my médecin for my yearly certificat médical for my cycling club racing licence and this time he’s really pushed the full heart check-up so I’ve got that planned early next year including the “stress testing” under exercise. Now last year I turned 50 and had the standard pack for colon cancer et al. and all came back clear BUT he has never said a thing about prostate cancer. Turning 50 and some long competiton riding meant I’ve changed my bike saddle for one where there’s nothing down the middle - for any cyclists out there, it’s great and no numbness
I’m off back to the doctor’s with one of my kids who kept us up all night coughing (bronchitis) and so I’m going to ask if he can precribe me the psa test too. I’ll keep you posted but in the meantime here’s the bike saddle
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Hi Andrew - love the seat! Great idea as apparently many cyclists present with high (but often safe) PSA readings due simply to their chosen sport!! Anyway - hope your kid gets better soon.
On the issue of PSA readings - I was recently sent a private message from someone who wasn’t convinced (their word) about PSA testing. This was my response:
You don’t need to be convinced about PSA testing - it’s simply a marker that may, but not always, highlight a potential problem. It’s all us guys have at the moment and it’s saved my life. Let’s be clear - just because you have a high PSA reading does not mean you have prostate cancer. In any case, PSA tests are just the beginning - no action would be taken without further investigation which involves DRE (digital rectal examination), Ultrasound scans, MRI scans, CAT scans, Scintigraph (nuclear) bone scans and biopsies. So, as you can see, PSA testing really is the precursor to the cancer hunt!
Prostate cancer can be a silent, hidden killer and, for the moment (barring actual symptoms) PSA testing is pretty much the only indicator that you may have a problem.
I’ll keep encouraging any guys I come across to have regular testing from their mid-40’s onwards - in France it’s quick (same day results) and free - so why wouldn’t you? Anyone can find a reason not to do something. Where free screening is offered for any life threatening disease be it prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer etc - anyone would be mad not to take it up.
I consider myself massively lucky to be able to wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2017 !!
Thanks for that, Simon, and yes, prostate problems are even more of an issue for cyclists with those spending more than 8 hours a week in the saddle being particularly at risk - hence the prostate friendly saddles - thought that’d make non-cyclists chuckle! My Dad survived cancer, only to surcome to Parkinson’s, lost my brother-in-law last year at 49, have a friend who’s “on her way out” to cancer as there’s nothing more they can do and that’s just to name a few. I think that as a generation we’ve been exposed to so much passive chemical polution from all sides that it’s going back to be the Big C. for a while it seemed we could cure anything but from what I see around me it’s no longer the case and I think we’re seeing the tip of the iceberg. Glad everything worked out for you and once again, thanks for the heads-up for the rest of us
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I read some news today (BBC website maybe) about a new treatment involving a specific/targeted treatment using a light activated drug derived from a deep sea biological . Laser light is delivered to the “spot” using fibre optics into the prostate and avoids all/majority of side effects. Only in trials at the moment but looks very promising
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Very interesting, heard about this the other day as well- very promising
Here’s the link to the Prostate Cancer UK website giving full info about the laser activated drug therapy - the trials began back in 2011.
I have had treatment for an enlarged prostate and subsequently radiation treatment ‘for’ (that should ‘against’ I always think) suspected cancer. From my experience and some reading, including of research papers and EU urology guidlines, I have learned a few things:
Most men are very reticent or even squeamish about the subject and, as with health treatment generally, slow and reluctant to seek medical attention. To this I always say “It isn’t just for you. Think of all the people, partners, children etc. who love and depend on you. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and care for them by looking after yourself.” If you have the symptoms, get it seen to, and if you are simply at the crucial age, do so anyway.
If you have difficulty in urinating, e.g. having to wait before the flow begins, not being able to maintain a steady & regular flow, having to get up most (or every) night(s) to urinate, then you probably have an enlarged prostate. This is NOT cancer. The urethra, which carries urine from the bladder, passes through prostate gland which, if enlarged, squeezes the urethra and slows down the urine flow and stops you from peeing normally. An enlarged prostrate is very common in men usually from the age of about 50; it happened to me in my late 40s.
The doctor will probably send you for a PSA test - they take a bit of blood from your arm and send it for analysis. It doesn’t hurt! The PSA reading, or number, is a guide and not proof of (e.g.) cancer - some men have quite a high number but no other ‘symptoms’ a friend of mine has a high PSA reading, but several biopsies show he has no infection. I had a much lower number than his and I had to have further treatment.
The doctor might also give you a finger test in order to get an idea of the size and texture of your prostate; this is a good guide as to the advisability of further investigative treatment.
Further treatment might be regular PSA tests to monitor possible changes in the reading. It may well include a measurement of your rate of urine flow, and an ultrasound test to show the actual size of the prostate.
It could also mean going to a hospital for a biopsy - basically they take small samples from your prostate for analysis for possible signs of infection.
It could also be a recommendation for a prostate ‘resection’ - basically an operation to reduce the size of the prostate to relieve pressure on the urethra and allow freer flow of urine. This worked well for me, but I think there are different ways of performing this operation so if you get this far make sure you find out whether there are any side effects.
After my resection operation, which was painless and fairly quick, I continued to have PSA tests to monitor for changes. I also experienced the absolute bliss of peeing normally again - not to be underestimated!.
But my tests and subsequent biopsies showed there might still be a problem (a ‘small lesion’ on my prostate), so I was advised to have radiation treatment (nearly 3 years ago), which seems to have done the trick. A significant and decisive factor in deciding on radiation treatment is your GLEASON SCORE. If you get to this stage you should find out what your Gleason Score is: the European Association of Urologists produced Guidelines in 2013 (you can Google them) on whether radiation treatment was advisable depending on the patient’s score.
But I return to my original point. A crucial factor in detection and treatment is to get it done as soon as possible - a problem detected early is a problem much more easily and effectively treated, resolved, cured. So why wait?
And finally; I have no medical training. The above is based entirely on my own personal experience and I offer it in the hope that it will help others to understand a bit better some things I didn’t know beforehand, and maybe help them make slightly-more-informed decisions.
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I am surprised that I have only just come across this post, though I am not that often, it must be said, on SFN. I will relate my own experience.
I was diagnosed fairly late having shown no symptoms. I was not in the French medical system and was basically uninsured but went to the doctor because I found some lymph nodes in my neck that were swollen and had my left leg beginning to swell. This set off alarm bells for me and I was sent off for the first of many tests and was transferred into the care of the oncology dept. at Montauban hospital. A biopsy comfirmed prostate cancer and I then transferred to the Oncopole cancer hospital at Toulouse to enter into a protocol, or clinical trial. I am being treated with hormone implants, 18 weeks of chemotherapy over six doses, hormone tablets daily and when the chemo is complete I will undergo eight weeks of radiotherapy.
This treatment has already left me a mule with testes the size of small broad beans. There is still for the moment sexual desire but that will follow the same direction as the gonads. As I have spent my life chasing women and taking advantage to the full of any opportunity offered me my life is going to change quite radically in the future and it will be quite interesting to see how it goes. I have a number of interests which ordinarily occupy me and I would expect to spend more time involved in them. So long as the sexual desire goes away then I do not see a problem. The problem will arise if the desire is still there because being unalbe to do anything about it would lead to frustration.
I expect a happy outcome and years ahead of me in remission. I do not go out of my way to talk about having prostate cancer but if anyone asks me I talk about it quite freely and do not have any hangups at all about that. I am not, after all, a kiddie-fiddler or serial murderer but simply someone with a disease. I have friends who have always lent an ear when I have wanted to get things off my chest and they have been of great help and so far I have been able to deal with the disease well.
I have been helped in this by all the people who have been involved in my treatment, from my generalist, to the seven consultants, two surgeons (catheter and wisdom tooth extraction), all the nurses, scanner operators, the kind people in the PASS departement who dealt with my administration before I got a Carte VItale and not forgetting the taxi-drivers all of whom have behaved absolutely professionally but more than that, with a kindness that brings tears to my eyes. I wouldn’t have a word said against any of them. I like going for my chemo because there is an absolute poppet of a woman there who hooks me up to the machine who I flirt with.
I feel that I am lucky that this has happened to me in France and not in the UK. I will be under medical care and observation for the rest of my life so If I had not already made the decision, France is where I will be finishing my days.
It is unfortunate that I was not in the French medical system a few years back or the disease would have been picked up early and the treatment less dramatic that what I am having. I was one of those people who never saw a doctor unless there was something seriously wrong with me which was a rarity. I had gone through life without having anything go wrong and did not think anything ever would. I would recommend to anyone to have six monthly blood tests from the age of fifty if not before.
I am sixty-eight.
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Hi Gerald - you sound like a guy that’s had a lot of fun and is determined to have some more - fill your boots!! I know it’s clichéd but…we’re here for a good time , not a long time!
I talk about prostate cancer whenever I get the chance - just to try and dispel some of the incredulous taboo about it! It’s the top killer cancer in men today and yet, when compared to the equally despicable breast cancer, it’s almost like the poor relation in terms of awareness and open discussion.
Like you, I’d urge men to get their PSA levels tested as early as they like - I was diagnosed at 53. It’s soooo easy to do here in France and, although a high reading may be non-cancer related, the test could quite simply save your life.
I’m approaching my first full year of undetectable cancer - just another 4 to go until I get the all clear! All 4 of them will be full of fun and lots of laughter.
Fight the bastard thing Gerald and all the very best !
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