Just told it’s Cancer! now what?

Hi I was looking for some advice if anyone has gone through anything similar?

my father had adrenal cancer removed 2012 and was told that that was it they got it all no further treatment or check ups required. In 2013 he visited doctors with Erectile disfuction and peeing a lot he had a test and had raised PSA over 4.6 but wasn’t tested again until 2018 when he returned to dr complaining of Still suffering from erectile disfunction and bladder problems This is when his PSA was 6.3 they made a note to retest him in 3 months? But forgot to retest again until this year when he had two skin cancers removed and complained of the problems again. This time his PSA has come back as 9.2 and they referred him to hospital. The consultant done the physical exam and said his prostate was very enlarged and had rough spots. He done an MRI using the ink. My father received a call from him two weeks ago and he said it is cancer and it has spread to his soft tissue and is extensive and they will now do a biopsy however this isn’t going to be until October?

We are all googling and by what symptoms he has and the length of time he has had them it doesn’t look good. It seems it is at least at stage 3? Who can my father talk to before the biopsy to get some answers? Surely he can’t be expected to be only told what he has and then wait indefinitely for an appointment. We would like to know as soon as possible where it has spread and what his outlook is? Any help would be appreciated we don’t know who to call to find this out? 

  • Welcome to the forum LivyK although I'm really sorry to read that your dad has cancer again.

    It may be best for him to get back in touch with his consultant to have a more thorough chat about everything, or even his GP, but I would also suggest either you or your dad giving our cancer nurses a call about this. You can contact them on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    I really hope you're able to get some answers soon and wish your dad all the best on this journey.

    Kind regards, 

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi you could ring pals paitiant liasons services if your concernd it may gee up the hospital they realy are slow in some hospitals but the sqeaky wheel gets the oil the hospital will give you the number nhs nhs dosnt like complaints or worrys and there not all angels dont read to much into what dr google says it can mess you up psa levels are only a rough guide infections can raise psa levels ime waiting for biopsie results for same . So got that from the horses mouth ime hoping thats what mine was he i and my gp ghink that but ime still concernd so octobers only a month thats good compared to some it realy is a post code lottery .paul

  • Hi livyk  any ideas what soft tissue means, is your father fit, my cancer went from the prostate to the lymph nodes, spine, ribs, pelvis and a lung that was Feb 2016, I'm on permanent hormone therapy and had cemo my psa was 1581 gleason 8 stage 4 t3b n1 m1b, I'm fine apart from being 67 and having rumatics and un invited cancer I'm living with it uninvited of course, best wishes to your family and you,... Billy

    P.s from being told i had cancer to starting treatment was over FOUR months,