Active surveillance

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Hi all I was diagnosed prostate cancer in Jan 2021 gleason 3+3 tc1 grade1 I was 44 when diagnosed. My psa is rising over the 12 months, Mri showed slight abnormality and the DRE was all fine. But my nurse keeps saying don't worry about psa or mri.. iam confused.. I now have another psa for Sept 2023.. and haven't been told if it goes up again this is you're option or if it goes down.. I am reluctant to have treatment of any kind because I had treatment from nhs for a separate illness and had sepsis I live on my own and was sent home from hospital if a family member didn't come and check on me 2 days after coming out of hospital I wouldn't be typing this now I am so confused it's affecting my mental health.. also I wasn't told where I could get help if I am struggling with my mental health until I asked my nurse for help. I am annoyed this help of councilling or MAGGIIES wasn't offered to me on diagnosis. I think I am just venting my frustration but would like to know if anyone of similar age is on active surveillance and how you are coping I have found over the last month or so I am struggling.  I have now accepted councelling but could have done this ages ago and may not feel as down as i do right now. PSA 3.1, 3.6, 4.5, 5.1.

  • Hi Bass

    It does look like a very low key affair, stage 1, Gleeson 6, PSA still low even though slowly rising.

    I went on AS for 4 years from 2013, I was similar, PSA rising from about 4 to 12 over the ,4 years until treatment.

    The main thing to keep your eye on is size and location of tumour within the gland.

    MRI report should tell you.

    Tumour hopefully less than about 8mm.

    Don't think u have much to worry about, but u could always push for Radiotherapy which should cause u no issues

    All the best

    Steve 

  • Cheers Steve for the reassurance.. I prob will have to have treatment in the future concerns on reading treatment are the side affects and my age as mentioned its just all caught up with me. 

  • Radiotherapy doesn't cause many side effects or don't last for long.

    Hormone therapy can be more difficult but not always.

    Steve