Prostate And Bladder

Hello Steve-Tap,

Please don’t apologise for posting a long message.

We’re glad you got in touch.

My name is Carole and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

It sounds as if you have a lot going on just now, and it’s normal to experience a range of emotions when dealing with life’s challenges.

Waiting on tests can be an anxious time, and it’s not unusual to feel emotional and scared.

Healthcare professionals sometimes use terms which are unfamiliar to most people, and these can be difficult to understand.

You’ve mentioned ‘grade 5’ but I’m wondering if this is the score the radiologist has given your prostate after looking at the MRI images.

When an MRI scan is done, the prostate is scored between 1 and 5. Anyone with a score above 3, is offered a biopsy of the prostate.

Biopsies give doctors the detailed information they need to make decisions about treatment.

It sounds as if it might be helpful to get back in touch with the nurse at Kings and ask them to confirm what the ‘5’ means. This might help you decide whether to have a private consultation. If you have a urology clinical nurse specialist (CNS), you could give them a call. If not, it might be helpful to speak to one of the doctors within the team you are under for bladder treatment.

You should let them know how you are feeling, and that you can’t stop trembling.

If you are not able to do this, we’d recommend that you get in touch with your GP or 111.

And the NHS Every Mind Matters website has some information and tips which may be helpful.

We don’t have access to medical notes but are just at the end of the phone if you’d like to speak to one of the nurses.

I hope this is helpful,

Sending my best wishes,

Carole

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/UH

Thankyou. I'm at Guys tomorrow  for bcg. I have emailed ahead to speak to the Cancer nurse to a quick chat.

Maybe she will be able to explain more.

Regards Steve