Yes, the big C is a b’stard. Only eclipsed by dementia in my opinion, a truly wicked disease. For us blokes I now understand that prostate cancer has moved breast cancer into second place as the most common form of cancer in the UK. Probably due to the push by Prostate Cancer UK to encourage us lot to get our PSA levels checked. The earlier you catch it there is a greater chance of knocking it on the head. With a course of hormone deprivation treatment followed by radiotherapy. So nag your GP for a simple blood test and don’t let the buggers try to persuade you that you don’t really need it, as I have been told they sometimes do. On the website I have hyperlinked above you will find a short routine where you answer a few questions to assess your likely susceptibility. Strangely our skin colour is one of the factors taken into account. So get on to your GP soonest and while you are waiting for your appointment take the assessment. One in eight of us will get it and if you are black your on a one in four chance.
The topic of prostate cancer has been touched on a few times, there is no regular automatic checks for prostate cancer, unlike lady parts. So, as above get yourself checked at the GP. I believe they'll do a PSA check if you're a man and over 50 and you ask for it. Also, tell your buddies, there's no annual, high profile 'pink' day for this.
If there is a family history of prostate cancer or you are black you need to pester your GP at least 5 years earlier. Knowing what I now know I will be pestering my lads as soon as they turn 40.
Ah, bad times hope you are okay. My mate had it last year, I’ve just done the ‘run 26 miles in Jan’ for prostate cancer and raised £450 for them, not a lot I know but I’ve really seen the mental effects as well as physical ones from this
Iam a bit overdue for a check, rang up today for an appointment but doctors closed half day, will be ringing first thing in the morning. Father in law who had it keeps badgering me - which is good. Cheers Gaz
My post above was reposted from another thread at @Ducbird’s suggestion in order to keep all of these posts together on this pinned thread. Having done so I thought it best to bring myself up to speed by starting at the beginning and reading all of the previous posts. The one thing that made my blood boil was the number of times that GPs were ambivalent to the request for a PSA test. Total W⚓️s
This thread is an inspiration. I hope that everyone is doing well on their respective health journeys. Last year, I lost my uncle to Prostate Cancer, and I, and my 2 cousins resolved to get tested. Now, being a bloke, I only got around to it about a month ago. Having just had my 54th birthday, I had a colon cancer test delivered to me via the NHS, and after I had sent my sample off, I resolved to sort my requirement for a PSA test pronto. My GP surgery is just at the end of my road, and while walking into town I popped in, and asked the receptionist if I could schedule a PSA test. I was a little surprised to be told that I would need to have a doctor's appointment first, so I asked if I could book one since I was here, only to be told that I would have to do it by phone, and none were available till next week... Anyway. I went home later that day, and, as I had been Googling about Prostate issues, an advert popped up for a £22.50 home testing PSA kit, so I bought one, and it was delivered the next day. Its rather similar to doing the familiar Covid type test, but you have to obtain a spot of blood to drop onto the kit, then add a drop of a reagent. 20 mins later, you read the result in the same way you would with a Covid test. This type of test doesn't actually give you a PSA number, but indicates if you have any elevated PSA levels, and recommend what to do if you have them. Fortunately, my result was negative, but the message is to get out there, and get a test, no matter what sort it is.
I have a regular appointment with the clinical pathologist who has had the PSA blood test added to my already impressive list. My last two were very low, but I believe that’s not as important as a rate of change. I have two friends who have or are suffering from it, sadly one of them is stage 4 now.
I also experienced resistance to my request. If I need a blood test for any other reason, I've found the nurse happy to add a PSA check to the list of checks required when the sample is sent to the lab. I'm really not precious about how the check is performed, if the blood test is unreliable then get the glove out...
That’s precisely what my GP did. I requested the test, but my GP told me the test was unreliable and unnecessary. Consequently, I didn’t get the test. While no tests are 100 per cent certain, why are many GPs putting us off being screened?
My view is the test may not be 100% reliable, but if the reading came back high, then that should trigger further investigation/a second PSA test. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psa-test/
DO NOT take NO for an answer Details Any man can make an appointment with their GP to discuss having the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prostate-specific-antigen-testing-description-in-brief You can use section 4 of the NHS constitution 4. The patient will be at the heart of everything the NHS does It should support individuals to promote and manage their own health. NHS services must reflect, and should be coordinated around and tailored to, the needs and preferences of patients, their families and their carers.
Men aged 50 or over can ask their GP for a PSA test, even if they do not have symptoms. Anyone aged 50 or over with a prostate can ask for a PSA test https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psa-test/
Go back to the GP with the information I posted and tell them you want a test and you are using section 4 of the nhs constitution
The test isn't reliable and looks like some GP are using that as an excuse not to do one There is a trial ongoing at the moment with prostrate cancer Hopefully that will give guidance For now you guys will need to stand your ground and use factual information when requesting a test
