Prostate Cancer

[bummer]

Its been in the news lately...

Its one of those things which guys avoid discussing.

Its one of those which most seem to think is shameful.

BUT, its just one of those things and if caught early enough can have relatively minimal effect on a guys enjoyment.

I wonder how many here have been diagnosed and done something about it ?

I wonder how many guys here never bother to get thier PSA level checked once a year ?

I actually wonder how many here are still punting after removal etc...

[Wayne]

I have written a lot about it in this forum, bummer. But you’re right, it’s not something blokes discuss enough. It’s always good to bring up the topic.
My own experience was that I had to persuade my GP to do a PSA. He was reluctant because I was still in my 40s. He dismissed the variations as inconsequential. I found a new doctor, who sent me for a biopsy. Bang, my prostate full of tumours ready to burst. The surgeon wanted me on the table that week. Had it out. Thought that was the end of my sexual life. The girls at the old Tokyo Cats thought otherwise and got me up and going.

[1inchguy]

Its been in the news lately...

Its one of those things which guys avoid discussing.

Its one of those which most seem to think is shameful.

BUT, its just one of those things and if caught early enough can have relatively minimal effect on a guys enjoyment.

I wonder how many here have been diagnosed and done something about it ?

I wonder how many guys here never bother to get thier PSA level checked once a year ?

I actually wonder how many here are still punting after removal etc...

Im about to reach my 40s and havent considered check yet. Maybe I should.
Although gp i have seen can be very dismissive.. eg a skin specialist i had a skin cancel check and barely looked at me for 20 seconds with the light and thats it. .

That said. Whats the process of getting checked?

[Abracadabra]

Thanks for the post OP as this is a subject not often discussed.

I have had elevated PSA for a number of years, going through multiple MRIs and a biopsy. They have come back essentially negative and my condition is apparently prostate inflammation or BPH benign prostatic hyperplasia. I go through a twice a year PSA test and whilst the condition itself isn't pleasant and can be difficult you learn to live with it.

The key is to keep in top of it as you can't ignore the high PSA levels and allow a potential cancer diagnosis to sneak up on you in disguise, so to speak.

Simple blood and urine test twice a year, plus the internal examination.Prostate cancer is usually quite manageable if caught in the early stages.

[Wayne]

QUOTE=1inchguy;4018387]Im about to reach my 40s and havent considered check yet. Maybe I should.
Although gp i have seen can be very dismissive.. eg a skin specialist i had a skin cancel check and barely looked at me for 20 seconds with the light and thats it. .

That said. Whats the process of getting checked?[/QUOTE]

There’s a simple blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA). It has to be taken regularly to see a pattern. A spike means there is a tumour forming. But, as in my case, when my PSA actually went down, variations show something amiss. The classic test is a finger up your bum. But I’ve heard that is no longer considered reliable.
Like all cancers, the age profile is getting younger. And if you’ve got family members who have had it (or breast cancer - there is a correlation) then you should start getting tested in your 40s. There are doctors who say this causes unnecessary anxiety and they don’t want test. I call that bullshit. Even after my diagnosis I heard a doctor telling me not to remove my prostate because it would affect my sense of masculinity. More bullshit. Never listen to just one doctor.

[11Bravo]

Im about to reach my 40s and havent considered check yet. Maybe I should.
Although gp i have seen can be very dismissive.. eg a skin specialist i had a skin cancel check and barely looked at me for 20 seconds with the light and thats it. .

That said. Whats the process of getting checked?

ThereÂ’s a simple blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA). It has to be taken regularly to see a pattern. A spike means there is a tumour forming. But, as in my case, when my PSA actually went down, variations show something amiss. The classic test is a finger up your bum. But IÂ’ve heard that is no longer considered reliable.
Like all cancers, the age profile is getting younger. And if youÂ’ve got family members who have had it (or breast cancer - there is a correlation) then you should start getting tested in your 40s. There are doctors who say this causes unnecessary anxiety and they donÂ’t want test. I call that bullshit. Even after my diagnosis I heard a doctor telling me not to remove my prostate because it would affect my sense of masculinity. More bullshit. Never listen to just one doctor.

It's understood that PSA tests are not definitive, but along the lines of "better than nothing". As Wayne posted, it's trends that you're looking for. If elevated, a biopsy might be in order. Not a big deal, it's a local anesthetic, with a number of jabs from underneath (perineum) with hollow needles to collect specimens that are then biopsied (the worst part is the prep: a potion you have to drink to empty your bowels...).

Seems that there are other tests that can be done along with MRI's, but no personal experience.

Just because you have an elevated (from normal) PSA doesn't mean you have cancer - that's what the biopsy is for. And look at it this way: the finger up your bum... some punters pay to have that done; here, it's covered by insurance.

Again, get a second opinion. It's just (expert) opinions on how to interpret the data. A buddy was told by one chemo/hormone, while another interpreted the data as borderline, monitoring indicated. YMMV

And the good news is: seems that one of the benefits of getting old is you can stop periodic testing at a certain age (unless problems): even if you have, or get cancer, something else will kill you before it will (always exceptions).

[jimh6932]

I showed signs of elevated PSA about 5 years ago (age 64 at the time), after something untoward was noticed in routine blood test. Plus a history of cancer in the family (mother died in 2008 from ovarian cancer, younger brother had his prostrate removed due to high PSA in his early fifties. He is now cancer free.
The initial biopsy procedure is uncomfortable but lasts maybe 10 minutes.
Next reading of the biopsies and PSA indicated a slight increase in levels, professor said something else will kill you (as per Il Bravo) but lets be safe than sorry.
Explored radiation as an option, as well as robotic prostatectomy. I decided for the surgery, 3 nights 2 days in Westmead, catheter for about 3 weeks (great when you are watching something and need to pee).
Given four pelvic floor exercises to do after the surgery - two of which can be done in bed. My form of exercise
Have had 2 PSA tests done since - virtually undetectable traces of cancer.
As for punting, still out there. You just need to let them know you had the surgery and the "cum" is different. Its actually a more sensitive experience. And you last longer!

Have a test guys!

[Wayne]

The comment about “something else will kill you,” is irresponsible. When I was going through my prostate cancer doctors told me repeatedly that the disease is often masked by other conditions. Some bloke might keel over with a heart attack and it’s recorded as death by coronary disease, when further investigation shows he had prostate cancer for years. The prostates of all men enlarge as we age. Doesn’t necessarily lead to cancer, but it can. More men die every year from prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer. And this doesn’t include the stats for masked disease. Best just get yourself checked regularly and talk to different doctors to get differing opinions.

[trampslikeus55]

The comment about “something else will kill you,” is irresponsible. When I was going through my prostate cancer doctors told me repeatedly that the disease is often masked by other conditions. Some bloke might keel over with a heart attack and it’s recorded as death by coronary disease, when further investigation shows he had prostate cancer for years. The prostates of all men enlarge as we age. Doesn’t necessarily lead to cancer, but it can. More men die every year from prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer. And this doesn’t include the stats for masked disease. Best just get yourself checked regularly and talk to different doctors to get differing opinions.

The reference Bravo is stating is that many will die with prostate cancer, not from prostate cancer. And this is quite true, though there are many things to consider. Age and degree of cancer foremost but also other health issues which you alluded too. There is an old thread about prostate cancer. I have had it. I decided to have it removed and 3 years down the road I am still cancer free. My sex life has obviously changed. I can still have sex if I desire but with the assistance of a penile ejection. This gives a very effective result but I find that the desire is less frequent now due to the need to be organised, rather than spontaneous. For many out there. Prostate cancer is no longer and old man's disease. Blame Covid, blame the world we live in but anyone over the age of 40 should get an annual PSA test. In my case I had no symptoms. My PSA rose from 5.6 to 7.2 in two years. Within 6 months it had gone to only 7.6 but after a prostate MRI showed a mass, biopsy indicated a Gleeson score of 7, I decided to have it removed. For the 2 weeks prior to surgery I made the rounds of all my regulars for one last rodeo. So I was quite normal, yet I had cancer. Hope this helps 😎

[Vader]

Another one of Albo's medicare cutbacks is that you can only get a free PSA test via a GP every two years. So much for waving your medicare card. If you want more in that period a specialist has to order them.

[11Bravo]

The comment about “something else will kill you,” is irresponsible. When I was going through my prostate cancer doctors told me repeatedly that the disease is often masked by other conditions. Some bloke might keel over with a heart attack and it’s recorded as death by coronary disease, when further investigation shows he had prostate cancer for years. The prostates of all men enlarge as we age. Doesn’t necessarily lead to cancer, but it can. More men die every year from prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer. And this doesn’t include the stats for masked disease. Best just get yourself checked regularly and talk to different doctors to get differing opinions.

Well my urologist might have been kicking me to the curb, but I have to go with his expertise, training, and experience after studying the data.

According to Google (my cheap search friend), yes, in Ozland, more men die of prostate cancer than women do of breast cancer. It also says that the leading cause of male deaths in Ozland is coronary heart disease, so going with the odds, I'd also be concerned with high (or low for the good) cholesterol levels.

And that's what my doctor told me, just like trampslikeus55 said:

The reference Bravo is stating is that many will die with prostate cancer, not from prostate cancer.

Death certificate might include stage 3 kidney failure, stage 2 prostate cancer, stage ? liver failure, but what caused the death is the old ticker stopping ticking. Or a stroke.

PSA testing is important, just like lipid panels, urine output, etc., etc. It's the TRENDS you're looking for, then procede from there. But PSA testing is non-specific. It doesn't test FOR cancer, it tests for prostate changes. Might be cancer, might be BPH (google it, I can't be bothered to type it in). While a biopsy is more reliable, it's not foolproof given it's based on SAMPLES. Some cancers are aggressive (must be alpha cancers), while others are slow growing (must be betas). And not every high PSA reading indicates a cancerous tumor.

Bottom line: get PSA tested, along with all the other primary blood and urine tests. I don't know but don't think it'll take all that much more blood. If it's outside the normal, talk to your doctor.

Myself, I'm more concerned with being whacked by a car when crossing the street. I look the wrong way, and, perhaps I don't understand the road rules. Isn't EVERY intersection considered having a crosswalk, whether marked or UNMARKED? And don't pedestrians ALWAYS have the right-of-way in crosswalks, whether marked or UNMARKED? Judging by some of the horns, I'm beginning to wonder.

[GoldfishMan]

The most recent development in this area is that routine PSA testing is not recommended because of the risk of over-diagnosis followed by over-treatment. I've witnessed how this can make sense firsthand.

A close relo of mine detected it very early on and so went through the treatment for it. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, some sort of laser therapy, the whole shebang he went through. The result was his PSA went down to very low, but the side effects of all those treatment were incredibly severe.
ED / impotence that no meds can help with. Incontinence, bowel problems. Hot flushes. Inability to eat fruits. The list goes on.

He went to a private hospital in Asia so there's an argument to be made that they were possibly over-treating him to milk more $$$ out of him.

[trampslikeus55]

Just to clarify some steps here. There are basically no specific symptoms for prostate cancer. You will go to a GP because your cannot get a strong erection or even any erection. Plenty of reasons and if you are under 50 then prostate cancer is at the bottom of the search. Urinating more than usual then you probably don't even go to GP. Having difficulty urinating, weak urinating or stomach pains the GP will start searching and you may end up diagnosed with prostate problems. First step is PSA test and depending on number you will be retested in 3 months or referred to a Urologist. Then comes the rectal exam plus probably another PSA test. If there is a prosumption of cancer then the next point will be a specific Prostrate MRI. Takes about an hour and you are injected with a dye and the body is scanned. This will show any mass in your prostate. Now comes the biopsy. It is day surgery and depending what has gone before any number of needle biopsies will be taken and examined and you will then be given what is referred as a Gleason score. This gets complicated now but from my personal perspective my score was 7. But mine was 4+3 and I was advised to have my prostate removed. If it had been 7, but 3+4, then I would have been monitored in 6 monthly intervals to see if my condition worsened. Anyway, next was a whole body CT to see if cancer was present in any other site. My cancer was solely in my prostate and I underwent Radical Prostatectomy. Hospital for 2 days, catheter for a week and I was back to work in 2 weeks. Back to normal in 4 weeks including sex and sport. First 2 years, quarterly PSA checks and now twice yearly. Take 5mg Tadalafil each morning to maintain blood flow through my groin and I do pelvic floor exercises from time to time depending on how I feel. Prior to surgery and immediately after these exercises were daily. To date I am cancer free. What I would say to everyone is as you get older you should have annual health checks. This will create a blood profile and when or if things change in your life then you will have a point of reference. Prostate cancer detected early is not a big deal. Detected late you can die and at best the treatments will make you think you should die. But there are many illnesses and cancers that have no symptoms till it is to late. Your body knows when you have problems and it shows in your blood profile. Get a good GP but I would also say if problems arise get a referral to a specialist in that field. Hope this helps 😎

[trampslikeus55]

The most recent development in this area is that routine PSA testing is not recommended because of the risk of over-diagnosis followed by over-treatment. I've witnessed how this can make sense firsthand.

A close relo of mine detected it very early on and so went through the treatment for it. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, some sort of laser therapy, the whole shebang he went through. The result was his PSA went down to very low, but the side effects of all those treatment were incredibly severe.
ED / impotence that no meds can help with. Incontinence, bowel problems. Hot flushes. Inability to eat fruits. The list goes on.

He went to a private hospital in Asia so there's an argument to be made that they were possibly over-treating him to milk more $$$ out of him.

Your close relative did not go through all that treatment because he detected it early on. If he went to chemotherapy without he's prostate being removed then he was in a bad way. And what you have listed as side effects confirms that he was blasted pretty heavily. As for the most recent development, if you present over the age of 75 then you will probably not be offered a prostatectomy. Not enough surgeons and hospitals to cope with the surge in cases that Australia, and for that case, the world is experiencing. 😎

[andrewv]

Important note: if you plan to get a PSA test (a blood test), refrain from sex (ejaculation) for 2 days because a PSA reading would rise with recent sexual activity, and you end up getting a false positive. I had that problem a few years ago and it was scary few days till I got a second PSA to double-check what is going on.

As for the 'finger in the bum' exam, many doctors (GPs) are no experienced enough to detect much because they simply have not 'felt' many cancers (abnormalities) doing this digital exam.
Generally, they feel your prostate to see how smooth it is -- meaning if there are any signs of unusual growth.

[Axeman123]

After a biopsy last week, my appointment with Urologist next week l will be well informed. Fingers 🤞

[Abracadabra]

After a biopsy last week, my appointment with Urologist next week l will be well informed. Fingers 🤞

Best wishes Axeman!

[HiredGoon]

Fingers 🤞

Oh shit is that how they do it now??

[Abracadabra]

Oh shit is that how they do it now??

Haha, that's good, but for a minute there I thought you didn't pick up what he meant HG

[1inchguy]

If im getting a finger up the bum. I might aswell look for a nice looking GP.
Any recommendations ��