Dr. Niti on prostate cancer

[Gaybutton]

I am a great admirer of Dr. Niti (pronounced nih-TEE). He is the doctor who discovered that I had bladder cancer at a very early stage, did the operation, got all of it out, and I never needed any special medication, radiology or anything else. I never even experienced any pain. That was more than 4 years ago and subsequent periodic checks have shown no signs of the cancer returning.

I urge you to read Dr. Niti's article in the Pattaya Mail. And if you have any reason to see a urologist, I definitely would recommend specifically requesting Dr. Niti at Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital.

Here is the link:

https://www.pattayamail.com/featured/fo ... cer-528821

[Montree]

Good information and very much the same as I was given here in the UK. Get a PSA blood test if you have any worries.

I had a MRI and a biopsy after a high PSA test. The biopsy wasn’t as bad as I’d been led to expect and I recovered completely very quickly. I got an “All Clear” just before Christmas but will be monitored every six months.

My brother wasn’t as lucky. His Prostate Cancer was already well developed when he had a high PSA test. He’s since had a miserable time with both Chemo and Radio Therapy being necessary.

[Gaybutton]

I am very sorry about your brother, but happy you are ok.

One thing I've learned about old age - if something is wrong even slightly, you might think it is nothing. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. I always get it checked out. Usually it really is nothing, but I've had times when that's what I thought but it turned out to be something more serious. The trick is to get it checked immediately before it is too late. Don't wait.

That is how my grandmother died. When she started feeling ill, she didn't tell anyone. When it became obvious to the family that something was really wrong, they took her to a hospital. It turned out that it was cancer, and by the time she had it checked it was already much too late. It had already metastasized and spread virtually everywhere.

Her doctor told me if she had just come in when she first started feeling ill, he is sure he could have saved her, but now it was too late.

Her sister told me that she asked her why she waited so long to have it checked. Her answer - she was afraid of what they might find.

[Jun]

Good information and very much the same as I was given here in the UK. Get a PSA blood test if you have any worries. I had a MRI and a biopsy after a high PSA test.

How did you get the PSA test in the UK ? In an ideal world, they would do screening for people at risk. However, the NHS is far from ideal. In some cases, they're slow to even test people with obvious problems.

I occasionally pay for a proper check up in Thailand.
Cancer definitely runs in one half of my family, so it's about time I started taking matters more seriously.

[Montree]

Because I was regarded as being high risk I just asked my doctor and he approved a PSA test. I actually had three annual tests before it became high enough to have the recent MRI and biopsy.

[Montree]

However, the NHS is far from ideal. In some cases, they're slow to even test people with obvious problems.

I have to say that my experience of the NHS has been excellent. I had no problems getting tested. Then when the MRI showed something abnormal I was called in for the biopsy two days later. I was told I’d get the result in ten days but was called with an all-clear within the week.

[Jun]

I have to say that my experience of the NHS has been excellent. I had no problems getting tested. Then when the MRI showed something abnormal I was called in for the biopsy two days later. I was told I’d get the result in ten days but was called with an all-clear within the week.

I think it can depend on where you are and which doctor you see.
My local surgery scores just 1.8 on google maps. All the others around have a higher score, with the exception of the one run by the same people in the adjacent village.

Many years ago, in a different part of the country, a close relative made several visits to the doctor with an illness. Only when he saw a third doctor, who was new to the NHS, did they decide to do the job properly and get some tests done. They diagnosed prostate cancer. They successfully treated that for many years and did a good job. But he was lucky to see that third doctor, rather than the quacks who were just guessing.

Here in Thailand, as long as you can afford it, I presume you just go and see someone like Dr Niti.

[Moses]

There are PSA test for home use everywhere over the counter in my country. It shows only "have to visit doctor"/"not have to visit doctor" result, but it is cheap as dirt ($1.5). Also PSA test is mandatory here at time of free yearly check-up for males after 45yo. It is how they found my prostate cancer very early and I spend in hospital only 5 days after surgery (because of robotic surgery via small holes)

[Gaybutton]

Here in Thailand, as long as you can afford it, I presume you just go and see someone like Dr Niti.

Initial visits to doctors at Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital usually cost between 900 to 1200 baht, which I believe most reading this can easily afford. If additional treatments and tests are required, many of those are also relatively inexpensive. You can inquire about the cost at the time the doctor makes his recommendation. Most of the time in my experience these prices have been easily affordable out-of-pocket. Of course, even better if you have insurance coverage.

Some procedures are very expensive - so it definitely is a good idea to make sure you have adequate coverage.

Also, if the doctor prescribes medication, it is a good idea to ask if it is available at outside pharmacies. Hospital prices are far more expensive than buying at local pharmacies. My favorite pharmacy is Fascino - many Fascino pharmacies in Pattaya, their main pharmacy is on Pattaya Nua (North Road), near Terminal 21. Fascino also carries a good selection of medical equipment, ranging from canes to hospital beds.

None of us are getting any younger - take good care of yourselves (so that you can continue to take good care of the boys).

Meanwhile, here is an example of why I have far more faith in Thai hospitals than American hospitals (My favorite part begins 5 minutes, 42 seconds into the video):

[Gaybutton]

More from Dr. Niti:

https://www.pattayamail.com/featured/fo ... cer-528821