Should I worry?
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi. Had a digital exam this morning and Dr says I have an enlarged prostate. He said it was common in older men, I'm 72, but wants a PSA test done anyway. It's always been recently described as large but I have no trouble passing urine etc. I have had a major scare with bowel cancer and this has left me anxious about anything which has a cancer possibility. The 5 year survival for the bowel cancer is looking ok, I'm over four years now. He said he couldn't detect any lumps and any cancer takes years to develop. So can I stop worrying a little? Any advice from anyone who knows about this topic will be appreciated. Thanks.
0 likes, 41 replies
charles61038 TheToad
Posted
Try not to worry too much at this point. Prostate cancer is a scare, but an enlarged prostate is common in men over 50 or 60 years old. What was your PSA number? If your urologist requested a biopsy, it is good that you are doing it. That will show if there are any cancer cells and how aggressive they are - or it will show no cancer at all. If there are cancer cells, most likely it is slow growing and you can go the active surveillance route. That is were you will just get routine check ups to make sure it is not progressing. But if your urologist suggests treatment, there are many that work. So for now, don't stress over it. See what the biopsy shows and take it from there. And congratulations on your sobriety! The best of luck to you.
TheToad charles61038
Posted
The last psa was 7.4 about two or three weeks ago. The Urologist said under 10 for my age is still ok. It's just a matter of sitting it out until the biposy and not asking Dr Google. Thanks for the replies.
Triplets TheToad
Posted
‘I have been on active surveillance for last three years and PSA is now 11.
Hard not too worry but at our age it is really not justified. If you were 52 it would be as the cancer is likely to be more aggressive in younger men
cheers Keith
TheToad Triplets
Posted
Yes, I've read that us oldies often die with this cancer, rather than from it! The 7.4 reading was the first time I've gone above normal, but up 1.1 in 3 months. The Urologist wasn't bothered. It was the nodule he felt that lead to the biopsy in Sept. Before this the DRE was annually and they were OK, with comments like, 'that's normal - for you.' Other than this worry, I seem to be functioning ok, heart, BP etc, but I'm on BP tablets for life. Thanks for your reply.
TheToad
Posted
I could have had the biopsy yesterday, but it costs $NZ900. So I will go publicly and it's on 3 September. Not toooo much of a wait to save the money I suppose. I was insured until aged about 65 but the premiums shot up. Just when you need the cover too as you get older.
Pepasan TheToad
Posted
That's just a few weeks. You should be fine. I found, though, that after the biopsy I got more anxious waiting for the results! (3 weeks in the UK NHS in my area).
TheToad Pepasan
Posted
Yes, the waiting gets to me too. I have had regular CEA tests for bowel cancer after surgery for 4 1/2 years, but still get anxious. They have all been normal and the last one will be in November! I'm lucky, as the nurse rings me as soon as they get them, which is usually the same day. Even a CT scan was there the day after. But no doubt the biopsy will take much longer. 3 weeks must be quite stressful. I'm trying to 'forget' the biopsy and enjoy each day as it comes.
richard98806 TheToad
Posted
The time will go by quickly if you let it. Maybe give yourself a holiday with the money you saved by waiting!
We all know the anxiety created by waiting. Tomorrow is my last salvage radiation therapy session but it will be 6 weeks to 2 months before I know whether the treatment was successful.
In the words of the late Tom Petty, "waiting is the hardest part."
TheToad richard98806
Posted
TheToad
Posted
13 days until a TRUS biopsy where they take 12 samples, 6 from each side. If anyone has had the same and has the time, could you share any positive experiences? I'd rather not read the horror stories if any. Looking for reassurance of course, as the anxiety kicks in. I was told the possible follow up from no action, watchful waiting, active surveillance to radiation. He ruled out surgery. Still no symptoms, apart from the palpable nodule and no PSA test since the 7.4 a few weeks ago. I asked about another PSA but was told not necessary. Sorry to be a pain.
Pepasan TheToad
Posted
I've had 2 biopsies of prostate by TRUS. The first was awake and painless but strange. I felt as if a staple gun was being fired up my back passage. Staff were very supportive and understood that it was an anxious time for me. Inconclusive result. Second was under general anaesthetic and 36 samples taken. Definite cancer cells detected but after a number of continued PSA tests it has been found to be low grade. 5 Years on I'm OK without treatment. Gleason 3 + 3.
charles61038 TheToad
Posted
You will be fine. It's no picnic, but it's okay. Any discomfort from it after, you can take ibuprofen or Tylenol. The biopsy is necessary to tell if in fact there are cancer cells present and you do want to know that. It will also let you know the Gleason score, and what type of cancer cells are present. Then you can make better decisions on any treatment you may or may not need. Good luck to you. Try not to worry yourself. Any procedure that is new to anyone is scary, but it will be okay..
Triplets TheToad
Posted
Cheers Keith
TheToad
Posted
Finally have the biopsy results. 2 of the 7 on the right are showing cancer and none of the 6 on the left. Gleason score 3+4=7 which was Grade Group 2 Intermediate Favourable. Dr was ok with that and will now wait for Urologist's decision on any treatment, if any. No signs of anything else nasty. So, more waiting but not quite so worried now.
TheToad
Posted
Consultation tomorrow for possible treatment. I've been googling too much recently, but the wait is almost over. I'll let you all know the outcome. Thanks for all the advice. I'm hanging on to the Intermediate favourable bit. G 7 3+4. Could be worse.
TheToad
Posted
Not really too much to report. I will be referred to a oncologist/radiologist to discuss whether radiology would be suitable. Maybe active surveillence. So more waiting, but he doesn't expect any changes in the next few years, which was good to hear.