Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

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fountainhall

Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by fountainhall »

I have a regular PSA test as well as cancer screening. So far, I have not had to be concerned about prostate problems. A friend in Europe did, though. In his early 60s, the prostate was discovered to be cancerous. He was given the usual prescription of possibilities. He preferred to be cancer-free and so had the surgery to ensure that. As often seems to happen, though, it completely knocked out his ability to have an erection. He tried all sorts of remedies. None worked. So he took the only course open to him. Having been top all his life, he changed and became a bottom. He now seems to enjoy it, the more so since he is cancer-free.
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Rogie
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Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by Rogie »

Oliver wrote:Every man should take the PSA test. . .

. . .Nevertheless, an annual test is wise.
I saw my NHS 'family doctor' when I was 50 and asked for a PSA test. He agreed and it came back normal.
I repeated the test five years later and it was normal again. After a further five years, by which time I was 60, my repeat request was turned down because the NHS had put a stop to doing routine PSA tests, and had informed all NHS GP's accordingly. So I haven't had my PSA checked for over ten years. Maybe I should look into having it done privately. Oliver, is that what you do?

Just a word about 'normal' here; a result within the reference range, often referred to as the normal range, does not completely rule out a malignancy, hence it's best to treat a one off result with caution.
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mahjongguy
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Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by mahjongguy »

"... Free PSA. It's a percentage, and a low number makes it likely that the enlargement is benign."

My apologies. I just noticed a typo and it's too late to edit my post. I meant to say "a high number". Here's a chart that applies to anyone with a PSA between 4 and 10:

% free PSA Probability of prostate cancer
15%–20% 20%
20%–25% 16%
Greater than 25% 8%
Oliver

Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by Oliver »

No Rogie...my NHS doctor has never shown any reluctance in providing the test. It may be that my family history placed me in an "at risk" category. Come to think of it, a few years ago when I was worried about a persistent elevation in results, I was having the test six-monthly. The scan was also on the NHS. The results were optimistic and so I returned to the annual test. The treatment that my brother has had on the NHS has been exemplary. He was diagnosed at 68 and is now nearly eighty with no signs of cancer.
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Smiles
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Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by Smiles »

Rogie wrote:" ... Maybe I should look into having it done privately ...
You definitely should. Why you're health system would not now recognise the potential seriousness is beyond stupidity.
Cheers ... ( and just one more reason why I love living in Thailand )

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Rogie
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Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by Rogie »

Oliver wrote:No Rogie...my NHS doctor has never shown any reluctance in providing the test.
Thanks for your comments Oliver: Having checked the NHS position on PSA testing it seems I was wrong to say they don't allow it. on recollection it was a nurse rather than my GP who poo-poo'ed my request, perhaps she herself had been ill-advised. Anyway, it seems if I make an appointment with my GP he will discuss with me the pros and cons of having the test, and leave it to me to decide. Looking back, 15 years ago all I had to do was ask for it and I had it done; I still can have it done but I have to convince my doctor I understand the repercussions of a raised level and have 'thought it through', which seems quite reasonable.
Smiles wrote:
Rogie wrote:" ... Maybe I should look into having it done privately ...
You definitely should. Why you're health system would not now recognise the potential seriousness is beyond stupidity.
Thanks for your comment Smiles: Britain's NHS certainly does recognise the potential seriousness, but they urge men over the age of 50, those without symptoms, to think long and hard before deciding whether to go ahead and get tested.
Oliver

Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by Oliver »

The NHS allows patients to choose which hospital they wish to use in the event of a referral to a specialist. When I had my scan, I chose the hospital that my brother used -University College London. I was able to do so even though it is on the other side of London and by no means local. It is known to be a world-leader in treatment for prostate cancer.
travelerjim

Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by travelerjim »

Front page ad today's Bangkok Post.. August 3

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Posted as a FYI...

Tj
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ceejay
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Re: Something some wish not to discuss Prostate Cancer

Post by ceejay »

This is the British NHS web page explaining their policy on the PSA test.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of- ... ntion.aspx
Seems pretty balanced to me. Testing is not without risk - unless you plan on ignoring the results of the test!
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