Start of journey

Hello Navigating 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Prostate Community although I am so sorry to find you here.

When they perform the TURP the "chips" taken from the prostate are sent to the lab and the "high grade prostate cancer" would be from the histology of the "chips". To say it's "high grade" in all possibility means it's a high Gleason Score - do you have this?

So dad's oncologist is being proactive starting him on Hormone Therapy. In simple terms the Hormone Therapy puts the cancer to sleep whilst they decide how to treat it - more than likely with radiotherapy.

His appointment has been brought forward more than likely because he's filling a cancellation. The CT and Bone Scans are both to see if the cancer has gone "walkabout".

There are a number of side effects that come with Hormone Therapy and this book may well help you to understand the treatment.

FIGHTING PROSTATE CANCER - A Survival Guide by Dr Jyoti Shah

Hormone Therapy can weaken dad's bone structure so you need to ask his GP for a prescription for Calcium and vitamin D Tablets.

I hope the above answers some of your questions - feel free to ask anything - however trivial - you will get answers.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello TIANavigating and welcome. There is no one size fits all in terms of how different health authorities work. Some are very quick, others can take for ages, just take it as a positive that things in your father's case are progressing quickly. By starting your dad on hormone therapy this immediately puts the cancer into hibernation and gives the experts time to tailor a plan for your dad. Treatment for prostate cancer has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years with a range of hormone therapies to weaken the cancer and these can be augmented with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy to do the killing bit. To help you understand about the tests, their results and then possible treatments I have attached a link to a book which you can download for free.

https://issuu.com/magazineproduction/docs/js_prostate_cancer_guide_for_patients_ezine

If there is anything you want to ask then we will try and help. The hormone therapy can come with side effects for your dad but the best thing he can do is to try and get as fit as possible, particularly with weight bearing exercises as this can mitigate some of them. Also the hormone therapy can lead to a thinning of the bones so dad should ask about calcium and vitamin D supplements. Help is available for the whole family.

When your dad gets his results it helps if he asks for copies and it can help if he asks to record the meeting as there can be a lot to take in. Come back to us when you have more information.

Thank you both for coming back to me. It is appreciated. Dad has talked himself into the fact that it’s been brought forward as they’ve found it elsewhere.. but as Millibob has said it could be a cancellation. I am not sure if his Gleason score, he isn’t sure either. I didn’t go to the initial appointment with him and it wasn’t noted in the follow up letter. 

My husband has an aggressive form of prostate cancer which was diagnosed in July 2020. He has stage 4 which is incurable but treatable and we still have a good quality of life. In this instance most cases can be kept under control for years and there are new drugs and protocols becoming available all the time. Your dad might also have an aggressive cancer but it could still be on the other end of the scale which is treated with curative intent, but it is understandable that he is anxious at the moment. The first few weeks and months are the most difficult but things do settle down once you have a plan and treatment begins. Having a positive attitude really does help. Can I suggest you see if you have a Maggie's centre near you as your dad might benefit from talking to someone or he could contact the Macmillan support line on

0808 808 00 00

Hello Navigating 

As Alwayshope said - the first few weeks going through the diagnostic stage are the hardest - but we are all here for you.

98% of men with a Prostate Cancer diagnosis die WITH it not OF it and people like me are 4+ years into their personal journey - it's a very treatable cancer. I have had plenty of issues, but still going strong, if you click on my avatar you can read my journey.

Here's a list of questions you may need to consider for dads meeting next month:

Questions for your Team.

Do have a list of questions to ask and it's a good idea if you or someone goes to the meeting with dad.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you for the support Brian. Pleased you are doing well also. I will be going to dad’s appointment with him. Thank you for the link to questions. Most helpful. 

Thank you for coming back to me. Sorry to learn that your husband is going through this also. I will take a look, thank you for the suggestion