biopsy

Hi

First never be scared, it’s not unusual to bring patients in earlier if there’s a cancellation, the biopsy is standard procedure to find out more about if you have PC or if you have what stage Gleason readings. The people are acting fast which is good, find it treat it that’s what they do.

Whatever the outcome of the findings, you will be in good hands, they know their jobs, so I know this is a worrying time just keep positive it’s half the battle.

Stay safe

Joe

Hi Cro

The biopsy is nothing to worry about, there is a bit of discomfort during the procedure and possibly after for a short while. When I had mine it was no problem and afterwards some slight blood in urine but that soon stopped.

As Joe said keeping positive is half the battle

Keith 

Don't worry about the biopsy.

I'd describe it as uncomfortable, rather than painful, and it's over very quickly.

There is a theoretical risk of the cancer spreading; in the vast majority of cases, there is local spread before distant spread, which very strongly suggests that if it happens, it's extremely rare. There's no way to 'prove' it doesn't happen, but no real evidence that it does.

On the other hand, not having the biopsy carries a very real risk that if there is a cancer, it won't get the appropriate treatment (or no treatment at all). Imaging is great, and gets better, but it is far from being a substitute for looking at cells through a microscope.

As it happens, prostate cancer is a relatively slow-moving disease, especially in the early stages, but - especially after the Covid disruption - hospitals are using every opportunity to catch up the backlog of investigations and treatment.

Good luck with it all; I hope it isn't cancer, but if it is, it's always good to catch it early.

You are getting absolutely fantastic treatment!  Wish it had been as good for me.  The biopsy is uncomfortable but not painful.  No lasting effects at all.  I was OK within 24 hours and the sooner you start treatment if it is PCa the better as the sooner and earlier treatment starts the more chance of a cure.  Your PSA is on the low of the higher side so I am glad that your hospital has moved so quickly especially when we are nearly always hearing of people not getting diagnosed because of Covid backlog.   All the best to you and stop worrying I have always found that the worry is far worse than the actual thing. 

As for the biopsy causing cancer spread it is really unlikely and if it happens at all is rare.  Many years ago people always used to say that either biopsies or operations to investigate cancer actually spread the cancer but it was also true at that time that the treatment of cancer was less effective so the cancer would have spread anyway. 

If you need further information about how things may go at this early stage have a look on the Prostate Cancer UK website and look for the Prostate Cancer Toolkit folder of pamphlets which will give you all the information you need, and more.  You can either read these on line or download to read later or you can ask for them to be posted to you but I would say read either on line or download as the post would take to long to get them to you. You can also call the prostate cancer UK specialist nurses who will give you advice and help you talk things through.  They were invaluable for me and my wife as I could never get through to my hospital appointed key worker to ask her - I think I only managed to get her to answer an e mail once and never managed to speak to her on the phone.  The website address is https://prostatecanceruk.org The help line number is 0800 074 8383  Tney are open from 9-5 Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri and Wednesday 10 - 6

All the best and try not to worry too much  when you wake in the wee hours and turn things over in your head try yoga breathing to calm yourself down.

WOW!  Your hospital is working really well - wish mine had worked so well.  It is great that they are getting all this done so quickly as the sooner Prostate Cancer is treated the better as it can be "cured" in the earlier it is caught so the sooner treatment starts if you need treatment the better . 

As for the biopsy it is uncomfortable rather than painful and no lasting effects for me I was fine within 12/24 hours.  No problems after that at all.

The worst part will be waiting for the results - I often say that the worst part is waiting for results from scans, tests, biopsies and to hear your treatment options  from the Multi Disciplinary Meetings.

As your PSA is on the lower side of high you will probably have all treatment options open to you depending on the positioning of the tumour seen on the MRI which is another good thing.

It may help you to have a look on the Prostate Cancer UK website and read the relevant pamphlets in their Prostate Cancer Toolkit.  This will give you all the information you need and more, when newly diagnosed.  You can either read them online or download to read later.  There is also a brilliant helpline where you can either e mail or telephone their brilliant Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses who can give advice or talk things through with you.  They were invaluable to me at this stage as I could never get in touch with my keyworker at the hospital - I never managed to get in touch with her on the telephone and only once got her to answer an e mail she was so busy. 

As for the biopsy spreading cancer I suppose there is a rare chance that this may happen but never heard of it.  Many Years ago this was always said that biopsies and operations to investigate/treat cancer spread the cancer but it was also true in those days that the treatments for cancers were fewer and far less effective and targeted than they are now so the cancer would have been more likely to have spread anyway.

Try not to worry as I have found that the worry is far worse than the actual experience.  When you awake in the small hours and start turning things over in your  head  try yoga breathing to settle yourself.  Worry only takes away the enjoyment of the present and can't change the future.

Thanks Joe, I'll try.

Thanks Keith it's hard but getting easier with everyone's support in here.

Many thanks freefaller what a comprehensive reply. 

I'll look up the sites recommended and hopefully keep positive. 

Thanks again and good health to you all.

Hi cro

Someone’s always here ready to give help, or information, so your never alone.

stay safe

joe