Treatment options for Prostate Cancer

Good Morning Aylesby Flyer 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Cancer Community, although I am so sorry to find you here - I am Brian one of the Community Champions here at Macmillan and indeed on the 4th year of my personal Prostate Cancer journey.

I will "tag" in Community Alpine Wanderer who has been down the same path as you are looking at and he will be happy to answer any questions you have. You can read his profile by clicking on his name or avatar and the journey details are in this thread:

 Surgery or Radiotherapy? Decision made! 

I am sure he and others who have been down that route will be along soon. Feel free to ask any questions however trivial.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Aylesby Flyer - yep, I’m here waiting in the wings.   Have a read of my bio - and the full thread (eek!  It’s very long) first.   AW

Hi Aylesby Flyer - hope you e had time to read my bio.  You will note that I had LDR brachytherapy plus external beam.  You may wish to know that my good friend JPMJIG had HDR brachytherapy plus external beam (the same as you have been offered).  His PSA is currently 0.01.     AW

I was in almost the same position as you last July. See my bio. I chose not to have a prostatectomy. I was offered HT and Radiotherapy. I discovered, via this forum, so much support and information and after speaking with my good friend AW, I chose HT/HDR BrachyBoost/RT. Best decision I have ever made in my life. Treatment started in August 2024, Brachy op 15/11/24. RT 15 sessions at 37.5 GY finished on 8/1/25. My PSA is now 0.01 (clinically undetectable). My oncologist recommended ADT for up to 12 months. I’ve just had my 3rd Decapeptyl injection taking me to 9 months come June. I’m 90% certain I’ll cease ADT come June so I’d have had 9 months. If you dig and do some research you’ll find favourable recurrence statistics via this treatment pathway. My warmest wishes to you with your decision   

Dear AW. Many thanks for your communication. I have now read your bio and also had input from JPMJIG, so I am encouraged by your experiences of this route. In my case I have been offered the 2 options, surgery or the HDR plus external beam. I am trying to make a decision over the next few days so that I can start the treatment asap. I note from JPMJIG's input that he says he had been speaking to AW, and I wondered if that was by phone or just communication by mail. If it was by phone, I wonder if you would be willing to have a chat with me, so I can ask you some questions and get your view of how the procedure went and how you feel about it now. Please let me have your thoughts. I note you are an ML and very encouraged you are back leading as I also do some client leading on a volunteer basis for one of the leading walking holiday companies. Thanks and regards. AF

Many thanks for your input. As you note this is a difficult decision, but I was encouraged by your experience so far. As I do my investigation over the next few days, perhaps you would be available if I have any specific questions. AF

Of course I will be available. It’s a big decision. My decision on HT/HDR/RT was probably the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. Losing my prostate with the inevitable long term side effects that follows was an absolute no go for me alongside the surgeon saying to me “don’t worry, I’ll keep cutting and cutting until I get it all”. Probably the best advice I’ve ever had as that comment alongside my own research made up my mind 100%. Do your research. Watch the videos especially ones about recurrence rates. AW was my inspiration. He’s a legend. Good luck.

I believe JPMJIG is going to talk to you, then I’ll give you a call.  In the meantime, Google “Brachytherapy: The Royal flush”.  The video is one of those that JPMJIG refers to.  I used to have it on my profile, but it was removed as you’re not allowed links to U tube.   AW

Change of plan.  I’ll talk to you.  I’ve requested you as a friend - so you can send your mobile number.  AW