Radium

Hi Fev, sorry to hear about your dad 

I think that u may be talking about Radium 223, it is normally used when the cancer has spread to the bones and is normally used to keep the cancer in check but not necessarily a cure which is not really possible when spread to the bones. It's good that he's on hormones because that will keep the PSA down and reduce tumour size and hopefully keep him going for many more years.

Regards

Steve

Hi fev sorry to read about your dad, I have incurable cancer which is in my bones and lymphs, diagnosed January 21.

My wife comes to all my appointments to ensure I do not miss anything, which I would do, also we asked for a copy letter to be sent to me, we need to look up the medical words. I don't know about Radium 233 as I am on hormones.

All the best Ulls

Hi dev

This is a good place for information, hopefully we can help. They may see your dad as needing the treatment best for him at this time, has he had any scans ? If your father is incapacitated or slightly not able to understand, then you can be with him.

Stay safe

Joe

You should be able to accompany your Dad to appointments you should call and ask as he is unclear about things said.  You can always ask for letters and scan reports etc to be mailed to your Dad and then go over the contents with him.  Ask on here if there are things you don't understand as medical jargon is hard to work through sometimes.  You can also phone the Prostate Cancer UK specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383  and speak to them The phone lines are open from 9 am to 6pm Mon to Friday and Wednesdays 10am to 8pm.  Also go to theProstate Cancer UK website and email questions to the specialist nurses and they will either e mail you back or telephone you if you give them your number.

Is this a course of action when they are looking to extend life rather than cure?

Yes, once prostate cancer has metastasised, it is not considered 'curable' - but, weirdly, this is not something to be too concerned about.

First, prostate cancer is a relatively slow-moving thing, second, there are a wealth of treatments that can hold the disease, and even reverse it to some extent.

The radium treatment works very specifically with cancer that has spread to the bones, and does a pretty good job with minimal side effects.

The hormone therapy - which may also continue as injections, does have many possible side effects - most men, for example, get some degree of fatigue - but it is can hold the cancer, often for a long period.

And then there are other options ...