New diagnosis (early stages)

Welcome to the right place for advice and support.

This Prostate cancer is a Couples Disease and you will be affected as much as he, so brace yourself. We are in it together.

This cancer is a slow growing disease not one that needs immediate attention to details and snappy decisions, you have plenty of time.

Let me say that you sound like a very practical and strong lady and I’m sure your experience with tumours will help. But the surgery issue at your stage is one for argument. Chemicals will be the first option I guess but the history is not known, so here’s an option for you.

This forum has room for a few things to help you and we to get acquainted - even though we are totally anonymous (if you want to be). So on the top left of this post page there’s a geek dot with a side chair on it which if you click it a profile page will appear in which can reside all the medical history From the beginning so that we can help your inquiries more accurately. So you can help us help you there.

So, the 5 that you talk about is I suppose, as you say is “lowish”. Some people would argue that it is high due to their circumstances. I agree with you, it’s lowish. But someone is taking it seriously for your hubby to be grabbed and a biopsy be done. That’s great service. Have you had any scans (PET, bone, mri, ct) to check on what’s where?

The diagnosis of early stage 2 suggests that there no metastasis anywhere so you aught to be able to relax for now and gather up the clinical information to make decisions in a timely manner. Don’t panic.

Active monitoring (as I’m on) can be employed at any stage in the cancers path. It’s a period where you can lay back and relax until the next checkup. But, if you are struggling to wait and your nerves are shot with an it’s out “nothing happening” AS is something that will upset you. The thing is that if AS is offered it’s a goof thing not a bad thing and your oncologist must think your hubby does not yet need any more treatment.

I’d say, get on with your lives and enjoy every day. One doesn’t know when you’re going to be run over by a bus (as the story goes) so none of us has any guarantees. So if you can relax, and hold hands while lapping up the sunshine and enjoy every day as it comes. Don’t get too attached to hospitals and clinics just yet.

Good luck

Thank you for your reply, I am a strong man (my husband and I are both men), I always assumed it would be me facing this sort of diagnosis at some point, as I've have a number of cancers already but they've been removed and I'm all-clear for now.   

He had MRI which showed a small dark area and then a biopsy which showed it was in 2 diagonally-opposite areas but the ocnologist was very relaxed and said time was not pressing and he could just actively monitor it for now if he wanted, but to go away and think things through.

I know I would worry something was there, but he is a bit more relaxed about things in general, so after the shock he may want to go for monitoing.

I said I would join this forum as I was already on MacMIllan on my forums, which helped me in the past with thoughts.

Really just looking for peoples experiences of Active Monitoring, vs rushing into surgery.

Glad to have you here, even in these circumstances.

Im sure there’ll be replies from many people who are on AS and get on with their lives.

I personally think it’s a real benefit for me. If I get pains of something worries me I can ask for backup, till then I’m happy to wait for the eventual outcomes — but I’m not running towards them. I’ll take my time and watch the seasons change.

Good luck

Don’t dismiss every other treatment option in favour of surgery as the initial treatment. The term “sledgehammer to crack a nut” springs to mind.  Research the very advanced focal therapies first. You do know that surgery involves cutting the urethra (which has to be sewn back up again, with the possibility of scarring/ strictures further down the line?  You do know that prostate gland removal takes the inner sphincter valve with it, so when the urethra pipe is rejoined, the man then has to rely solely on the pelvic floor muscles (which he hasn’t needed because he used to have the inner sphincter)?  If you don’t know these two important points, you need to do more research.  A younger man needs to approach this cancer with the medical technology of 2026 and beyond, not the 1990s. You both have time to do plenty of research.  Of course, I understand that you’re new to this and it’s all a bit of a shock, so sorry if this advice appears to be a bit blunt, but it’s certainly worth bearing in mind when you have future appointments in the urology department.  Oh, and don’t forget that urology usually point you at the surgeons office first. You definitely need to speak to an oncologist to balance any important decisions on the way forward.   AW

Hello Andrew (Andrew1965 ) 

A warm welcome to you and your husband to our little group although I am so sorry to find you joining us.

You haven't given us a Gleason Score but I assume it's 6 or the low 7 (3+4).

Let me say now, I am not a fan of active monitoring, yes I know it works for some people but I have seen 2 people go from AS (Active Surveillance) to Stage 4 - treatable but not curable.

My suggestion to you is to consider all options open to you and the possible side effects of each treatment as to how they would affect you as a couple. Grab a pen and paper (or spreadsheet) and list the pros and cons of each treatment.

I would consider all these open to you:

Radiotherapy-for-prostate-cancer.

Prostatectomy-for-prostate-cancer.

Brachytherapy-for-prostate-cancer.

You have time to make your choices. Read people's journey by clicking on their name or avatar and ask questions - We are all happy to help.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Andrew 

Do you have any more stats which would help with any decision about active surveillance.

So Gleeson score and tumour (s) size  in mm would help advise

Best wishes

Steve 

Hi Andrew I’ve been on A/S for just over 4 years now , if you click on icon top left you will see more details of my journey. 
best wishes to you. 
Roy 

I’ve amended my initial advice to include the views of the various other treatment options (ie speak to an oncologist). As you said yourself “looking for people’s experiences … vs rushing into surgery”.  The word “rushing” says it all. I think you realise that. Keep in touch : there’s lots of valuable experience on here, which will help you frame your questions to the various consultants in future.  AW

Hi Andrew1965,

It sounds as though all options are open to your husband given that it's been diagnosed as early stage 2 which in itself is good (if having PC can be described as good), but does make it much harder to make a decision.  Fortunately time is on your side to do your research & make a decision that's right for him & both of you.

I was diagnosed with PC 3 years ago, & whilst I did most of the research (or thought I did) & then discussed everything with my husband, unbeknown to me he was doing his own research when I wasn't around so he could support me better but not worry me at the same time.  

Whilst you say that you have ruled out RT as it can only be done once & are keeping it as a back up, it might still be worth considering it as an option, as should the cancer ever rear it's head again, there are plenty of other treatments that would still be possible plus any new ones that will be along in the future.

I see that Millibob has given you some links to different treatments so there is plenty to read up on, & as suggested, make a list of the pro's & con's of each taking into account what's important to you both.   

It's fair to say that my husband found my diagnosis much harder to deal with than me (as I'm very laid back) so make sure you look after yourself as well as him.

Best Wishes

Brian

I now have the information, diagnosis is T2aN0M0, Gleeson 3+4, Cribriform No.

Thank you