Treatment

Hi Shar

Rt is normally 3 - 6 months after starting HT but can vary on your personal treatment plan and the area in which you live.

Prior to the treatment, you will be invited in for a "planning scan" which is a CT scan to determine where to direct the treatment. At this meeting you should be told of any diet to follow, foods and drink to avoid. Any enema requirements, and you will be given your tattoos so they can align the treatment up. You will also be given the opportunity to ask any questions you have.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards - Brian.

1. Thank you Brian 

Hi, I was started on hormones around the end of June at my biopsy appointment. I took those tablets daily for around a month, during which i had other tests and scans, waiting for the consultant appointment for confirmed diagnosis and treatment options. I had that on the 20th July, I was told I had to have hormones for 3 months before RT would start. They changed from daily tabs to a 3 monthly Zoladex implant. First one on 25th July. (The first date my GP could fit me in). 

I started planning sessions for radiotherapy in September (and got my daily diary for when to attend for the RT),  which included insertion of gold pins into the prostate to help direct the RT beam and also 3 dots on me which positioned me daily. I started RT in mid October. 

So it was just under 4 months from starting hormones to first RT session, the planning actions started 3 months after hormones started. There was a 2 week gap between planning day and starting RT.

We went away for 7 weeks on 27th July so they couldn't do any planning earlier, perhaps if i was around it would have been spot on 3 months. I have nothing but praise for the speed that they got things moving and kept that momentum going.

Thank you so much for your very helpful reply. I hope all goes well for you 

Share, in my case I started my Radiotherapy 3 months after starting on Hormone therapy ( 1 month, hormone tablets, then injection).

I have had a friend who went straight onto Radiotherapy without being on hormones first.  I think it all depends on the indvividual situation.

Hope this helped

Thank you 

Hi Shar,

It has taken 7 months for my partner to get to Radiotherapy from First GP diagnosis. I think it all depends on individual treatment and stage and also being ready with the lowest PSA you can get to I guess . 

L

Thank you