How to find out about Prostate Cancer

August 2019

One of the reasons I started this blog is to make more men & women aware of Prostate Cancer, the horrible illness which affects one in eight men in the UK.

I was one of the lucky ones, my cancer was discovered in the early stages and I've had excellent treatment which hopefully will keep it at bay for many years. Many aren't so lucky.

I follow the twitter feed and web pages for the Chicago Prostate Cancer Centre in the USA

@ChicagoProstate

https://www.chicagoprostatecancer.com/pages/prostate-cancer

I read that in the USA over 300,000 men are diagnosed every year (1 man in every 9 being diagnosed in their lifetime).

I've borrowed (stolen) some helpful information from the website


Second to Skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men. The exact cause is unknown.

For those who don't know the Prostate Gland is just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, about the size of a Walnut and a part of the male reproductive system.

Prostate cancer occurs when the prostate gland develops malignant cells. Localized prostate cancer is when the cancer remains inside the prostate. However, it is possible for the cancer to grow to surrounding tissue, or spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes or bone. As with many forms of cancer, early detection provides the greatest chance of cure.


Chicago Prostate Cancer Centre state that for this reason, it is important for all men over the age of 50 (age 40 if you are African American or have a family history) to have regularly scheduled annual screening exams:

I repeat 'Regularly Scheduled ANNUAL Screening Exams'

which include a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE).

My own Prostate Cancer was discovered when my PSA rose from it's normal 3 ng/mL to 4.1 ng/mL.

A level of between 0 to 4 ng/mL is considered normal and won't normally require follow up checks but as mine rose by over 30% my urologist suggested investigation. My DRE was normal, with no significant enlargement of the gland.

To the best of my knowledge in the UK there are currently no particular guidelines for GPs to recommend regular PSA testing for over 50s. It's argued that PSA isn't a reliable test. I would suggest that regular testing, preferably every year, would show any significant increase in PSA requiring further investigation. Men over 50 can ask their GP for a test.

I've read that in Chicago, with the support of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Chicago, Chicago Prostate Cancer Center offers FREE Prostate Cancer screenings each September.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

FAMILY HISTORY: Higher risk for men whose fathers or brothers have had prostate cancer.

AGE: Men over 50 have a higher risk than younger men.

RACE: Prostate Cancer is more common in African-American men.

DIET: Diets high in animal fat or red meat may increase risk; a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lower risk.

PSA blood tests and Digital Rectal Examination are two standard tests for Prostate Cancer. When my PSA rose I had a Standard Transrectal Biopsy where 12 samples were taken from the gland. Several of these samples showed cancerous cells.

In Chicago they regularly carry out Stereotactic Transperineal Prostate Biopsy, carried out under general anaesthetic which reduces the risks of infection.

A recent UK Government Petition asking for regular screening for men over 50yrs only achieved just over 1,900 signatures which is very disappointing.

Support Groups

There is an extremely helpful Facebook group run by Bob & Linda Tarbet -

Prostate Cancer UK Support Group

which has over 2100 members. Linda also has a 'Sister' support group which has nearly 300 members. Click the link to connect.

I've had a a lot of good useful information from the site and I hope in some small way I've been able to help others with my own personal story.

Unfortunately and rather sadly most of the members have already been diagnosed with Cancer (hence their interest in the group I suppose). In the future I hope more men & women will begin to take an interest before diagnosis.

I am writing to my MP and the Health Minister in the hope that the Government will consider regular PSA screening and undertake an information campaign to make more men aware of the dangers of Prostate Cancer. If you get the chance maybe you could consider writing as well.

Thanks

Ian

March 2019

Just lately I joined a Facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/liviingwithpc/?fref=nf

The page is administered by Bob & Linda Tarbet and I'd advise anyone to have a look at it. I've already been able to facebook chat to several fellow sufferers. Bob & Linda have done a great job putting it together and continuing the admin.

Anyone wishing to join the group should flood Linda's recent advice:

Message from Admin:
Please can we remind members NOT to invite others to join this Group. They must request to join themselves and answer the two questions. Thank you.


One thing that strikes me from the comments is the number by the families of men with PC. There is a lot of good advice available, PCUK and Macmillan etc but it's good to be able to discuss everything with fellow suffers. I think it can very reassuring.

Anyone previously reading my blog will know that I was diagnosed by a change to regular PSA blood tests:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/should-i-have-psa-test/

In my case it was a change to my usual PSA level ( 3ng/ml ) up to 4.1. which led to further investigation. The problem with the PSA test is that even 4.1 isn't necessarily a worrying result, what matters is a significant change to a mans normal level. I had been regularly tested as I am in a higher risk group as my Father had PC when he was 59 (I was exactly the same when I was diagnosed.

My change 3.1 to 4 was a 33% increase so follow up was advisory. I had an MRI which showed something wrong and I then had a biopsy which confirmed the location of several tumours.

The statistics show that one man dies every 45 minutes & 1 man in every 8 will have PC (1 in every four for black men)  I believe the time has come to offer regular (at least every 3 years) PSA blood tests for every man over 50.

Reading Bob & Linda's Facebook group it seems that a lot of men are being diagnosed when the cancer is quite advanced. Ideally (and it's never ideal having PC) the cancer needs to be found before it grows outside the gland. One problem with PC are that there are very few symptoms so I believe that regular testing is the way forward.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms/

https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/about-prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-symptoms

It's important that every man is aware of PC and the risks of not being tested. I'd also advise mens partners to also be aware of the risks and encourage them to get tested and checked.

It's now been three & half years since I was diagnosed and had Brachytherapy at St Lukes in Guildford. My PSA has been steadily falling and I'm feeling really good.