Hello bulgaria and welcome to the forum, though sorry to hear your diagnosis. I am not a nurse, but have had prostate cancer PCa for 2 years, Can i ask why you are being offered conventional RT, 37 rounds, and not hypofractionated RT 20 rounds and would this help with your travel issues. Have you asked the hospital if there are volunteer drivers or cancer charities who could help, as radiotherapy is important with your cancer stage. You could ask your oncologist about watchful waiting and only have HT as treatment, it can slow down or stop the cancer cells growing but will not cure and your HT is likely to become castration resistant and you could lessen your hope of being cured, PS I think Macmillan do grants of £300 maybe helpful, best wishes.

Eddie

Just told MDT agreed hormone treatment the 37 sessions of RT but the hospital is 90 mile round trip everyday, no public transport, dont qualify for any patient transport (I have checked) local hospital car service wouldnt be able to provide a service, dont qualify for travel costs as not on any benefits, Macmillan said dont qualify for £200 grant as have savings of more than £1000. Dont have an oncologist & wasn't given any details of who to contact about treatment/problems etc. Told to go to GP for injection in a couple of weeks & then every 12 weeks, tried to make appointment but GP surgery said they know nothing about it, not received any letters or information.  

Hi bulgaria i don't know what you can do about transport then. Your HT injection, if GP surgery know nothing about it then you have to phone urology as they are responsible for it until surgery take over. you will have a lead clinical nurse, ask for her/him and they will sort it for you.

Eddie

Hello and thanks for your post

I’m sorry you’re thinking about not having your radiotherapy treatment because of the travel costs you would incur to and from the hospital.

Although you mention that you are not entitled to patient transport, I wonder if you've asked the hospital transport department if they have volunteer drivers who may be able to take you to and from the hospital for your treatment.

Hormone therapy alone doesn't get rid of prostate cancer. It is usually given alongside surgery or radiotherapy treatment.

We would always advise that you discuss this with your specialist team as they are familiar with all your medical details. If you have a specialist nurse (CNS) involved in your care then perhaps they can provide you with further information. You often have to call and leave them a message and they will get back to you.  

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene

The hospital I would have to travel to is a 90 mile round trip from home, 5 days a week for 7 weeks so would be dreadful. Its not just the costs although even with volunteer driver would be at least £50 daily, but, this service is only local hospitals not for long distance travel & is in another trust from where I live. I dont have a specialist nurse or anyone allocated to speak to,  I have contact varies groups who support cancer patients but none have been able to offer any helpful information only saying if you want to talk things through ring a helpline, but there is no point as there is no help with transport in my case, its bad enough being diagnosed with cancer but knowing I probably wont have RT treatment due to gruelling travelling is the only choice I have.