I am so sorry to hear that ZAZ62 - the current coronavirus situation is having such a big impact on the NHS and it's such a shame that these staff shortages mean they have had to make such tough decisions like prioritising bladder issues over prostate biopsies. I can completely understand your concerns and unfortunately it is difficult to predict how things will develop in the coming weeks and months. I do sincerely hope that the situation will improve and that they will clear this backlog. As things are currently so unpredictable, it is hard to know whether it is worth going private. This is perhaps something you could talk to your GP about or you could contact the NHS again or the hospital where you're having your biopsy and ask whether they might be able to give you a rough indication as to the time it might take for you to be seen at the moment. It would be a shame if you went down the private route and things suddenly got better and the backlog cleared so I hope that you can manage to find out more about how much these services have been impacted in your area at the moment and about how long it might take for you to get an appointment. 

Good luck trying to sort this out - those are certainly tough times!

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Dear Lucie

Have decided to stay with nhs after talking to urology nurse, she said that I am due to see the anaesthetist shortly so that's a positive . I am sure that when nhs staff return to work over the next few weeks the situation will improve.

Victory to the NHS

Hi from being told i had cancer,i had scan's and biopsy over four months before starting treatment , my PSA went up slightly waiting but didn't change treatment or the outcome .

Billy

Hi Billygoatt

Cheers for the reply, four months before starting treatment crickey ! the urology nurse said the team were going to look at all the mri scans to determine which scans would take priority which is a good thing.

Did you have to see the anesthetist days prior to your biopsy, 

Did they give you meds to shrink your prostrate after the biopsy.

Thanks

ZAZ62 

Anesthetics before biopsy just jel at the time inserted in back passage to ease pain.

No meds to shrink prostate, remember cancer is the reason prostate is enlarged, cancer cells expand hence larger prostate.

Billy

Ps alot of times scans are done in order of space in queue for each scan not perticular order of scans.

Billygoatt

I did not realise that  an enlarged prostate means that it is cancerous, the urologist who was looking at my MRI scan saw two little mark's on my prostate, he said if it was? Cancerous it's in the early stages..he said he wasn't sure what it was when I asked him I guess he was being diplomatic before the Christmas break. 

ZAZ62

You can get enlarged prostate with infection as well,i didn't think till you replied,it was a long time ago, infection can increase PSA as well a certain amount , sorry i don't put that clear .

Billy

Billygoatt

Hospital contacted me this afternoon and I have an appointment on Janruary 24th they are either going to contact to ask a few health questions ? Prior to the operation and then I'm ready to go.

It isn't my local hospital but I am grateful they are seeing me.

I'll let you know how it whent.

ZAZ62