PSA level of 17

Hello Moder

Welcome to this forum - although I suspect that, like everyone else you would have preferred not be here!

I’m sorry to hear of the worries you are undergoing. My husband had a steadily increasing PSA for several years. He had no symptoms at all and nothing palpable via a recital examination. When his PSA reached 10 they did an MRI and, sure enough, and following a biopsy to confirm, he had prostate cancer. The general route through to diagnosis is Blood test, DRE, mri, biopsy and then on to further scans to see if there is any spread.

The reason I am replying is that your hospital does not seem to be in any rush to get you through this diagnostic pathway. The important thing for you to note is that hospitals have a Government imposed target of no longer than 62 days from the day your GP refers you to the first day of our first treatment ( this is known as the 62 day referral to treatment time - RTT - time) hospitals do not always meet this target but it’s a stick to beat them with to get through the diagnostics!

From our own experience, we learned that we had to be politely assertive to get timely appointments. We also let each and every department know we would take late cancelled appointments if any became available and this helped !

your worry is completely normal and understandable. We were besides ourselves with anxiety at the time. However there are some important things to bear in mind. First, prostate cancer is curable if caught early enough and eminently treatable if not. There are lots of newer treatments now and , hopefully, many more being developed. It’s also usually a slow growing cancer. 

I wish you all the very best as you step out on this journey. Everyone on this forum is very supportive and ready to tread this path with you. 

best of luck!

Thanks for taking the time to reply. 

I will be sure to ask for cancellations and its good to know of the 62 day rule. 

Hopefully ì will know more soon 

all mine was very quick, told my doctor nightly toilet habbits suddenly changed,  did a PSA test and examined me  didn't say much, result came back in under a week PSA 21, Rang Redditch hospital whilst my wife and myself was in with the doctor, MRI done in just over a week, result took 6 weeks followed by urgent biopsy, by now I had already accepted they would find cancer, luckily the following bone scan showed confined to prostate. Now completed all my treatments,  I went for direct beam radiotherapy , happy to say with a PSA of 0.01 it was successful,  just on PSA every 6 months for 3 years then 2 years on once a year

Glad you got sorted. Thanks for taking the time to reply

My own experience was very similar to Terence M .

There is one thing I would advise you to do, which is to gently push them. 

I wrote everything down and, when things started to slow down, I would phone them and, very gently, remind them of what was discussed.

Don't lose site of the fact that you are part of the team, and can have your part to play in getting things done.

And keep smiling. It makes people want to help.

Moder said:

Last Wednesday I spoke to another doctor who referred me red flag for an MRI. I have been told it could take from 2 to 12 weeks to receive

Hi Moder - when politely pushing, you should note that you should receive the MRI within 2 weeks or so.  The whole pathway to diagnosis, including multi disciplinary team (MDT) meetings and agreement on a suitable treatment plan, is 62 days.    AW

Great advise , thanks for taking the time to reply

Hi again Moder - that’s why this site is so useful during the phase that you’re in now …we have all been through it and we know how you feel.  I hope you’re sleeping well (it’s still relatively early). Take a look at various bio’s of members for reassurance that - in your potential position- treatment is very effective.  I’m off the the Alps again tomorrow and - along with Mrs AW - will be climbing and hiking all day for two weeks.  AW

Hi Moder , firstly I would strongly suggest that you keep away from Dr Google, certainly until you have a clear diagnosis.  The internet is full of good and bad and it is very easy to get misinformation at this early stage.  Keep on this site and other reputable sites (PCUK, NHS and MacMillan etc).

If you do have PCa, it is most likely to be curable and for some of us diagnosed too late, even then it is treatable.  Feel free to ask any questions and keep us posted.  This is a brilliant site and you will get speedy and honest advice from all.

That's great , really glad you got sorted. Very quick response from Doctor