And can attack anyone…
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Glad for the happy outcome. Interestingly, he went “private”.
Here , in France, 10 years ago my OH was similarly diagnosed and dealt with… 
… and we could not fault the speed/kindness/excellence of the French medical system.
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Simon, when I made my comments the other day, I had not read or seen your thread. My comments were just general. Keep up the campaign to inform Men to do this and Men don’t shy away from this or bowel cancer, any changes down there can be very slow but you’ll notice at some point, don’t ignore it. I was diagnosed at 48 and the previous GP took no notice, I decided to see another GP 8 months later.
John - you don’t know what you don’t know - or what others choose not to share I suppose!!
My outlook on life changed enormously whilst looking down both barrels and that, naturally , has a huge impact on my behaviour. Things I used to find important just aren’t any longer, my priorities have changed, I simply don’t care about some things I used to care about and, I care much, much more about the really important things. In fact - it’s been quite liberating and entirely positive (for me at least!!). I love that the days are getting longer and, I don’t have lie-in’s any more - I can sleep when I’m dead 
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We feel just like you Simon… making the most of each and every day…
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Had another PSA 2 weeks ago , a follow up, as my last test was a little high at 7 but not untoward… latest report says normal. So fingers etc crossed. I do remember the doc saying, it is a watch and wait…which isn’t actually very reassuring…almost like under sentence, but you don’t know the date…maybe a good thing.
Glenn good news about your latest PSA blood test results and well done for going along for another blood test - I know you’re not keen!! 
The watch and wait scenario can be quite stressful but the main thing is you’re under surveillance - really important.
Just for general info - a ‘normal’ PSA range in France (unbelievably it varies but not by much) is 0 to 3.1 ng/ml - although it’s impossible to record a 0 reading even after surgery! More info here:
My own reading was 7.1 ng/ml when it was decided to send me for a biopsy, MRI etc - at that point around 80% of my prostate was cancerous but contained. I had absolutely no symptoms, problems or issues. High PSA levels can be caused by many things but my view is that it’s your life (not your doctors!) - so if you are at all concerned, get yourself referred to a Urologist.
A PSA test is a simple, quick blood test - available on most high streets throughout France - very cheap or on prescription.
It’s the same old story… Bill Turnbull’s story is another lesson… showing it doesn’t stop at the Prostate…
Spot on Stella!
So come on boys - who’s had a PSA test recently??
Best to start thinking about testing from your mid-40’s onwards - especially if there’s a history of prostate cancer in your family.
My last one was December - undetectable. Next one in June.
Had my last one 6 months ago, count was 3.5, up slightly from the previous one of 3.0. Our MT makes sure its done every year as part of the routine blood test.
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Interesting that Bill Turnbull talks about aches and pains… that he dismissed and dealt with by using painkillers… ooops
Morning Simon
Have an annual blood test over here due to being on blood pressure tablets. They test for many things, kidney and liver function as well as PSA test. This takes 10-15 mins a year. A small price to pay for potentially saving your life.
While we are on the subject I have a family history of Colonic Cancer. Again a simple test is available.
Get tested guys and gals. It can save your life !
Andy
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To be fair if the aches and pains were symptomatic of spread it would not have changed things greatly if he’d gone to the doctor at the first sign of problems.
And even then you have to accept that common as prostate cancer is in men (though less so in one’s 60’s) arthritis is even commoner.
One might argue that a PSA done when he was 60 (the article mentioned tests when he was 40 and again when he was 50) would have picked it up before any spread, and it might well have done - but one can never say.
Difficult to say really… except that any pain that continues…over a period of time… should be checked out I reckon. Especially if it necessitates painkillers.
Just before last Christmas OH complained of pain in his leg/knee… rhumatism said I… get on with it … but for some reason, I did get him in to see our Doc (amazingly that same day) and it turned out he had deep-vein thrombosis in 2 places… 
Blimey, well done Stella!
Second that Stella (sorry I missed it!) - absolutely the right thing to do! DVT was a fairly regular occurrence in my long haul flying days - I remember many diverted flights for that very reason. Speed is of the essence.
I’d no experience of DVT… but I do now…
Have to say Doc, Specialist et al… were marvellous and he got seen/checked/treatment started all on the same day/evening… My nervous breakdown started around the same time… 
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Not surprised - scary stuff and, as I’ve said before, make sure to fit your own oxygen mask before helping others!
This latest link give clear guidance on symptoms… but even without symptoms… cancer can be there… so get tested… please…
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