Delayed action for raised PSA and lack of resources?

Hello WW

I fully understand your rant and it's justified. The simple answer is that if the NHS screened every man over 50 the "ticking time bomb" would go off and the services we have for urology and oncology would collapse.

 I am aware of Prostate Cancer UK's campaign to have all over 50's screened. I did read somewhere the statistics for Prostate Cancer diagnosis in my own Health Authority for the last few years and I thought each year would be in the high thousands - it wasn't, it was in the hundreds!

Perhaps we need to campaign for this - we all need to support this cause.

Best wishes - Brian.

To me it's not about screening every man over 50 as PSA can result in false negative/positives.

It is more about acting quickly when men ask for a test, especially when they have symptoms. Back in 2015 my husband asked for a test and was given the blood form to take to phlebotomy at our local hospital without the need to discuss symptoms.

Fast forward to 2023 and getting past the GP receptionists is our biggest issue. They seem to have too much responsibility without the necessary training.

Recently I have watched a few episodes of GP's behind closed doors and there was a conversation between 2 receptionists. One asked the other what 4 × 12 was. When she was given the answer she said thanks because she would have needed a calculator to work it out herself. It's terrifying that these people are acting as gatekeepers between us and the GP.

Yes. I can see your point - I had issues with my GP Practice until a had a "Chat" with the practice manager.

They are great with basic issues, but when you come to someone with complex issues - Say the interaction of HT treatment with your HBA1C (diabetic reading) then they need help. My GP said to me on this issue "What do you think WE should do?" I have now sorted it with a bit of research.

Since my chat with the practice manager - after issues with the reception staff - I think my cards been marked and I get what I need when I need it - it's taken 18 months to get to this point and I have been honest and frank and not lost my temper!!

Best wishes - Brian.

I'm still working on getting my husband to let me draft a letter of complaint.

Brian and GR1, I do think there needs to be a campaign to get a better deal for  men! When you think of cervical smears and mammograms for women, an unreliable PSA test strictly ‘rationed’ and suspicious

 results not being acted upon quickly is not good enough. Add to that a lack of resources for prompt treatment and longer waiting lists because this ‘is a different type of cancer’ then I think this is unacceptable.

it is a ‘'different type of cancer ‘ for several reasons! Yes, in most cases it’s slower growing than some cancers - but not always! Dare I say it - but this is also a cancer of older age in a society that values its younger population more than the elderly? Also, this is a cancer affecting men who have traditionally been seen as ‘having a stiff upper lip’ ( and elsewhere!!!!) and not something to talk about publicly.  

,

The 'delayed action' words ring true for me. I had been seeing the Urologist since 2018. When I was finally diagnosed in the middle of August 2021 the Locum Urologist said 'sorry it has spread to your bones so it is incureable' . My psa was constantly high but was never offered a biopsy (and appts. were 'phone calls') until I wrote a letter to the Urologist stating I had an excrutiating pain down my right side.This was 'diagnosed' as Scitica by Physiotherapy during a 'phone appt.' although I was never examined by my G. P. or Physio. He then finally arranged for a mri, biopsy and following that bone scan which came back it had  metastisized to my pelvic bones. As it happens those of us in the Northeast have the highest percentage of prostate cancer diagnosis in the U. K. after it has spread (stage 4 metastatic disease) according to Prostate Cancer Research with the NHS Trust for my care being the worst with 29% of late metastatic diagnosis cases.

Incredible the PSA going up and u weren't even.offered a MRI which normally comes first before biopsy

Steve 

I feel so distressed to read this.  So much for ‘levelling up’ eh? I am so very sorry to hear of your own diagnosis and really hope that the pc can be well controlled for you. What is the solution for all of this?!!!

I wish I knew. Until I read that article I thought that everything was 'across the board.' The articles headline was 'Prostate Cancer Postcode Lottery.' I recall the Locum Urologist was going to discharge me when my psa went to 9.1 but at the next test it rose again. I am more proactive now after reading the posts on here especially those from wives, partners who 'fight' their other halves corner. 

As somebody said on here, you have to be ( politely) assertive with the NHS to get things done. The big problem is that this becomes exhausting and depressing! Good luck!,