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Recently diagnosed with prostate cancer

SEANTDRUMS
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Hi My name is Sean. Im 63 and have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. My gleason is 3+4 My T stage is T2. I had a PSA of 8.4. As i was only diagnosed 1 week ago still waiting for paper work from hospital. The urologist told me that active surveillance is the best way to go as its in its early stage. I personally feel that i cant go down this route through a fear it could just get out of control. I keep thinking that surgery to get it out is the best route for me. Obviously side effects. Its not easy dealing with something you just cant see. Still in absolute shock. I am married with a very supportive wife and family members. Just wondered what treatments other members are taking. I know i need a bit more time to think properly but just to be told i have cancer is hard to take in.

Thanks

Sean

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    Hi Sean my name is Les, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I had a very similar diagnosis myself last December it is a big shock but it is important to stay strong right now.

    If there is anything I can help you with or just a chat send me a message I am more than willing to help if I can.

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    Hi SEANTDRUMS, and welcome to the forum, though sorry you have to be here and you have prostate cancer, which we all understand is an awful thing to be told and the early days going through tests, waiting for results and treatment to start is awful. Sean your stats point to small, contained slow growing tumour that has been caught early giving you plenty of time to weigh up your options, I appreciate your wanting to get rid of it quickly it's a natural response.

    Active surveillance may be all you need for the rest of your life, I know a few guys who have been on it over 15 years with very little change to their condition and free from the side effects associated with all treatment.

    My prostate cancer is more advanced and like many I went down the hormone therapy HT, radiotherapy RT route, there are a few variations with RT, the more recent methods giving you a higher dose but over only 6 sessions are showing much less impact from side effects, no personal experience with a prostatectomy though side effects are fewer mainly incontinence and erectile dysfunction and not everyone gets them they can be severe and permanent

    There is great advice to be found on the Macmillan, Prostate cancer UK, NHS and this website so please don't use google, best wishes, Eddie

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    Hi Sean, I'm Dan. I'm 67, diagnosed 2 months ago.  The scores on my doors are very similar to yours but my PSA has never gone above 1.5, I was only sent for investigation after seeing a GP for backache. Like Sherlock22b, I've decided against the surgery route due to the potential side effects. I'm 6 weeks into HT and will be starting RT shortly. I'm finding the psychological side of things hardest to deal with at the moment. Most of the time I'm in denial, then I can flip into self-pity. But we are where we are, so we have to deal with it. My wife has been through both bowel and breast cancer over the last 15 years, so if she can do it then I'm damn sure I can. I've read everything I can find (top tip, stay well away from Google), statistically our chances are extremely good so we owe it to ourselves and the people we love to be strong and get through this. Happy to chat anytime you like.

    Best wishes, 

    Dan

  • Offline in reply to Sherlock22b

    Hi Les  I appreciate you sending me a message. Im managing to pull myself together with lots of support from family and friends. Not sure which route i will go down. There is a group here in stockport that meet once a month. I will be going to talk with other guys in this same situation. Any reading i do on this subject i read from macmillan or cancer research. I never read through anything else on the net. Its now 1 week since diagnosis. What treatments have you had upto now.

    I wish you and your family all the very best

    Sean

  • Offline in reply to eddiel

    Hi Eddie Thanks for message. I do hope all your treatments go well. I dont use google just macmillan and cancer research uk. Im going to a group here in stockport held once a month to chat with other guys with prostate cancer. Personally i do not think ill carry on with active suveillance its not for me. At the moment ive read lots on RT therapy plus lots on radical prostatectomy. Im still at the stage of getting my head round everything not gonna rush into anything yet need to think. I do hope all goes well for you much appreciate you having time to message me it means a lot.

    Many thanks and all the best to you and your family

    Sean

  • Offline in reply to Dan_Gliebitz

    Hi Dan Let me know how your HT and RT are going on. As of yet i just cant make my mind up. Your wife has been through 2 cancers i do wish her well. She is one strong lady. We can all get through this. If your psa is 1.5 are you at T1 stage. Would the active surveillance have been an option for you to take. I personally cant do active surveillance id rather have the operation or RT therapy. I will be going to a group chat session every month here in stockport with other guys with prostate cancer. As you said google i dont read any of that stuff. I just read from macmillan or cancer research.

    Wish you and your family all the very best

    Sean

  • Offline in reply to SEANTDRUMS

    Hi All 

    I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year but was lucky as it was caught early - The MRI only shows a small amount of disease and PSA was about 7 (but fluctuates) . It's  gleason  7 (3+4) so I went for surveillance although was offered surgery or radiotherapy (my gland was too big for brachytherapy)

    My PSA more recently started going up and an MRI suggested "slight progression" - I thought about going onto radiotherapy but was also offered a new trial. (The research doctors gave me this link to the official website).

    I was pleased I entered the study which they called it the UK  Yourphyto Trial which  involved taking a capsule with different concentrated foods as well as a probiotic or a placebo.  They then asked about my waterworks, erection and even measured my grip strength on top of blood test and scans.

    For me it seemed to have helped. Since the end of my time in the study, my PSA  has now dropped a little and stabalised. A repeat MRI is also stabilised again.  I'm please with this and also that the amount of times I got up a night reduced from 3 to 2.  Although I know I was on the food capsule, I was  not sure if I was on the probiotic. I am now pretty healthy, exercising loosing weight and what I liked about this trial was it gave me a focus and a sense of control.

    I am not sure if the trial is still open for men to join, although they tell me the results will be published in January , so maybe not.  

    If anyone is interested, I can fund out?

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