My dad

Hello Lesley Lesleymak77 and welcome. It is natural at the start of this journey to think the worst when it comes to a cancer diagnosis but if your dad has been told that it is locally advanced then it is still potentially curable provided it is treated appropriately taking into account the higher risk factors. With a PSA of 10 it is unlikely that bone mets will be present but a bone scan is standard practice with a high Gleason and if the MRI shows that it might have breached the capsule. There is a book which you can download for free which explains the diagnosis process and then what treatment options are available. The treatment of prostate cancer has come on in leaps and bounds over recent years and now 98%  of men die with it and not of it. Even if there is spread beyond the prostate with current drugs and protocols men are living for many years with a good quality of life so stay positive and make sure that your dad looks at all of his options once he gets his full diagnosis. 

https://issuu.com/magazineproduction/docs/js_prostate_cancer_guide_for_patients_ezine

The first few weeks and months are the worst until you know what is happening and a treatment plan is in place but things do get better and there is definitely life along with a good quality of life during and after treatment. Please ask any questions, we have all been where you are now and will try and allay your fears.

Hi Lesley and welcome.

Sorry to hear but good news that PSA only at 10, not particularly high.

With that PSA figure probably unlikely to have spread to the bones.

MRI should tell u more, tumour size etc, looks like just escaped the gland but hopefully just outside and no more 

So on the face of it still potentially curable which obviously good news.

So good luck at the meeting next week, ask more about exactly where the cancer is , there should be a staging shown as TNM , hopefully the bone scan will come back clear 

Best wishes 

Steve 

Hello and thank you for the reply 

my dads recently is 77 and otherwise fur and well, 

he hasn’t been to the doctors for 20 years 

except recently he’s been suffering with numb feet 

so the GP who’s been brilliant sent him for an MRI scan which showed two bulging discs but no cancer 

but upon other tests the doctor did totally unrelated we have found ourselves where we are now 

the nurse has said providing it’s not spread 

my dad can have hormones and then radiotherapy 

but first we must hope that it hasn’t gone any further before we will know for sure 

of course it’s my dad that’s going through this, but I’m constantly anxious and crying a lot just hoping for the best 

thank you xx

Thank you so very much 

it’s just a very worrying time which I’m sure you have been through yourself x

Hi sorry I’m not good at these replies 

what bothers me also is the nurse is going to ring my dad on Friday with results and a treatment plan 

if it’s bad news it seems harsh to deliver it over the phone, I’d like to ask questions too but I can’t if it’s a phone call x

Yes, does make it difficult, I presume that you can't be with your dad when he gets the call?

Perhaps you could ask your dad to get a phone number so that you can call back later especially as you have your own questions to ask.

Steve

Hi Lesley

So sorry to hear about your dad. My husband was diagnosed with locally advanced prostate cancer in Dec 24. The cancer had just started to spread to his bladder His  PSA was 11 and Gleason score of 8.

He began 2 years of hormone therapy in January 25. The hormone therapy starves the tumour of testosterone and shrinks it. His latest PSA test was 1.2.  He starts radiotherapy on his prostate, bladder and lymph nodes on Tuesday for 20 sessions over 4 weeks. This treatment is intended to cure him.

I know it's hard but there are many treatments for prostate cancer even for those whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body. 

You can be with your dad when they phone him. In fact someone needs to be there to write down what they're saying. I think they phone rather than make people go to hospital for appointments because when asked for their views men with PC said they didn't want to go to hospital appointments to receive information when they feel relatively well.

I know it's hard but try to stay positive for yourself and your dad. We're all here for you .

Cathy x

Hi Cathy 

thank you so much xx

Hi I can be there but I’m not sure when they will ring I think I will ring the nurse on Tuesday and see if they can give me an idea of the time she will call 

thank you 

Hi Cathy, how is your husband following radiotherapy?