Vita brevis

[Tim HammondParticipant @timhammond72264]

On 30 August last ( my 77th birthday as it happens ) I saw a urologist at the local hospital after weeks of feeling unwell and losing a lot of weight. I was told that I had developed advanced prostate cancer and that there is no cure for this; they can only slow the spread of the cancer by hormone injections. So that's that. Oh, and by the way, the urologist wished me a very happy birthday.

The point I would like to make here is that within a couple of weeks I was put on palliative care, and it's wonderful . Nothing is too much trouble for the team, every little ache, pain and problem is attended to at once, and I feel like a king!

I know that we can all point the finger at the N.H.S. for various shortcomings and seemingly strange decisions, but my treatment so far has been absolutely first class.

HTH.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Harry has offered Sound Advice ! The prostate test(PSA) is a simple blood test and if caught early can be treated. Left undiagnosed it will spread and then your in real trouble that could prove fatal. Noel.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I have just passed the bowel cancer test, which simply tests for blood in the stools. I am 73 and the cut off date is 75. I will be over 75 when the next test is offered, but can opt in for further tests if I want to.

I had slightly high, but not excessive figures for the PSA test back when I was 55 and had the tissue biopsy tests of about 12 samples from the prostate which had negative results. Since then, I have not heard any more about further tests. When I had the tests, I asked the doctor whether he had been tested and he replied "not bloody likely" which made me laugh.

Edited By old mart on 15/09/2022 18:47:22

[HowiParticipant @howi]

Posted by Kiwi Bloke on 15/09/2022 10:44:20:

It is not true that the likelihood of developing colon cancer decreases after 74. Please substantiate any claim to the contrary.

Whether or not it may be true that the majority of colon cancers in people with a genetic predisposition or a predisposing co-morbidity have manifested themselves before 74 isn't very relevant, because these represent only a small minority of colon cancers. However, the risk of developing colon cancer if you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease increases steadily with the time you've had the disease – and therefore age. So, the idea that it becomes a lower probability with age in these circumstances is a myth. The reason for the upper age limit is for the reasons I have previously alluded to.

It's probably true that most colon cancers occur in the 58-74 age range, but that's not a probability statement. It's the number of cancers in the population. People, and thus their cancers, get fewer with age, so it's entirely what you should expect. Think how small the absolute number – not the proportion – of cancers is in the 100-year-plus population. Very few, because the population is so small (even if they were found all to have cancer). So, yes, in the population, the number of colon cancers will reduce with age. That tells you nothing about the probability of being afflicted, however.

no! you prove the opposite. There are plenty of statistics and records, it is just that most only look at the facts that suit their argument.

As has already been stated, you only need to ask and the testing kits will continue to be sent to you.

I do not see what the problem is!

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

Howi, I'm not sure whether you're agreeing or disagreeing with me. I don't think my post was as clear as it should have been, however.

The bottom (!) line is that Colon cancer is one that's worth screening for, and, fortunately, UK still seems willing to offer screening, although you may need to ask…

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 16/09/2022 09:54:26

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Posted by Harry Wilkes on 15/09/2022 16:40:16:

Whilst bowl cancer is a concern may I remind members not to forget having their prostate tested !

H

Got rid of mine years ago!

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Our surgery won't give you the test unless you have symptoms. It could be a bit late by then, but the surgery regularly comes out worst in the area.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I have never had bowel cancer screening invitations from my surgery, but direct from some other NHS source. Probably originating from the Southern Bowl Cancer Screening Hub at Guildford Surrey.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by duncan webster on 16/09/2022 16:19:52:

Our surgery won't give you the test unless you have symptoms. It could be a bit late by then, but the surgery regularly comes out worst in the area.

PSA test that is

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by duncan webster on 16/09/2022 19:16:14:

Posted by duncan webster on 16/09/2022 16:19:52:

Our surgery won't give you the test unless you have symptoms. It could be a bit late by then, but the surgery regularly comes out worst in the area.

PSA test that is

I recommend asking for one. When I was 57 my GP ordered a barrage of blood tests to find out why I was feeling so ill, which the tests failed to do. (Another story.) Anyway, the PSA test was positive and so I was whisked away for a biopsy, which also came back scary positive. Although I had no symptoms, the cancer was racing away, and I went straight under the knife.

I often wonder what would have happened if I'd not had the test and nothing had been done until the symptoms appeared. Specially worrying as I usually ignore illness for ages because it usually goes away on it's own. I think the cancer would have metastasised and bumped me off before I was ready.

Dave

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

.I asked for a PSA test ten years ago, doctor told me it was 2.2, very low and after the grope around my bum he declared me perfectly ok but I had some blood in a urine sample so he put me on the list to be seen at the local urology department. 3 months later I go to urologist and am told they want to check prostate, I ask why, doctor has recently checked it and pronounced me fine, anyhow they have a feel and find three little bits the size of a glass pin head. Given the choice of having the prostate removed or brachytherapy, I chose the brachytherapy and was sent to the Royal Surrey Hospital at Guildford who were absolutely fantastic, procedure done in an oven afternoon and let out next morning, three years on and they check PSA every six months, it is below point one. I had absolutely no symptoms, only reason I asked about test was because of some celebrities doing a full monty on telly for prostate cancer. Get yourself checked before it’s too late.

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 16/09/2022 20:12:02:

I recommend asking for one

I'm with Dave. Like him I had a test as part of a panel of tests to investigate a different problem. I was asymptomatic for prostate problems, but the test came back at 62! Cue panic at the doctors – them not me – and an appointment with oncology for five days later. For a diagnosis of T3. Five years down the road, After 4 years of hormone therapy wrapped around 35 trips on the radiotherapy machine my PSA is 0.09, I still have a prostate & no symptoms.

typo

 

Edited By Peter Cook 6 on 16/09/2022 21:04:07

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I've asked, I told you they were pretty bad, consistently either bottom or next to bottom in the town. I'm thinking of going private.

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