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Dad diagnosed with prostrate cancer stage 2

Laralou
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Hi there

my dad was diagnosed with prostrate cancer about 12 weeks ago, it was just entering stage 2 so we were told it was caught very early. He’s just finished his radiotherapy having had 22 sessions. He had a session with his consultant today and she explained the next stages. They won’t be scanning again and will repeat a blood test in approximately 4 months, following which tests will be at 6 monthly intervals until 3 years then to 12 monthly.

i asked the question of why it was such a long time for the next blood test which was explained to me that it’s a slow growing cancer so this won’t have any impact. I also asked why they won’t rescan now, which was explained that it won’t show anything other than a different prostrate, that a blood test is the best test.

Has anyone else had any experience of this? I’m just worried that something will be missed? And at what point can we say the treatment has worked and cancer cured? If we can say that.

thanks in advance 

lara 

  • Hello Lara and thanks for posting

    I'm sorry to read about your dad's situation. It's natural to feel anxious after his treatment, especially when the follow up plan doesn't involve your dad having lots of immediate scans or tests.

    What your dad's consultant has explained is very much in line with how prostate cancer is usually followed up. Prostate cancer, even when active usually grows very slowly. That's why the checks are spaced out more than you might expect compared to some other cancers.

    The main way of keeping an eye on things after radiotherapy is through the Prostate Specific Antigen ( PSA) blood test. PSA give a good indication of how the treatment has worked and whether the cancer is staying under control. Scans at this stage don't tend to add useful information, because the prostate gland looks different after treatment.

    Doctors usually look for the PSA to fall gradually over months to years after radiotherapy, it doesn't drop instantly. If it stays low and stable then that's a good sign that the treatment has worked well. After a few years if there are no concerning changes, the chances of the cancer coming back become very small. Doctors don't often use the word 'cured' straightaway, but many men do very well long term after early stage prostate cancer.

    The follow up plan may feel slow but it's really based on what's safest and most effective for prostate cancer. If your dad develops new symptoms, such as bone pain, difficulty passing urine, or weight loss between his appointments he can get this checked out with his GP or specialist team. He doesn't have to wait until his next appointment.

    I see that you are asking for other users experience. You have posted on the ask the nurses section of the forum Anyone is welcome to reply on here but you may get more response from others who may be or have gone through similar by posting in a different section of the forum as well as here. 

    I hope this is of some help.  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 9 am till 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

    Kind regards,

    Celene

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