Hi, my husband has a very high PSA and during a recent CT colonoscopy it showed areas of disease in his spine, hips, pelvis, rib... Surgeon suggestion these are connected to high PSA. We are waiting on telephone call from urologist... worried.
Why is urology not seeing my husband as a face to face appointment? Is this normal with such high PSA and looks like bone involvement? No referral to oncology has been made.
Please help
Thank you
Hi Rosiejen,
Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to our online community.
My name is Carole and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
Waiting to speak to a consultant can be such an anxious time.
It’s normal to experience a range of emotions, and to feel worried. Uncertainty can be one of the hardest feelings to cope with.
Although the surgeon has given your husband some information and suggested that the high PSA and bone disease are connected, the urologist should be able to provide more detailed information. You will be able to discuss an oncology referral with them.
Unfortunately, we can’t explain why a telephone appointment has been arranged for your husband, rather than a face-to-face appointment.
The quality of care should be the same, no matter the type of appointment, but we understand that different people have different needs and preferences.
This information from the NHS website suggests that both patients and healthcare professionals should agree about the type of appointment that’s offered.
We realise though that there could be many reasons why a telephone appointment has been arranged. Your husband’s nurse specialist, if he has one, may be able to explain. We’d encourage your husband to contact them, or the consultant’s secretary.
Before your husband speaks to the urologist, it may help to have a look at this information. It suggests questions to ask, and includes tips to use before, during and after the appointment.
And if you’d like to talk to one of the nurses on our Support Line, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We often find that we can give more detailed information after speaking on the phone, as it allows us to ask questions about individual situations.
I hope this is helpful.
Sending 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.
Our ref: KG
