Could it have been different

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I was diagnosed with Stage 4 aggressive Prostate cancer in May this year. Due to other medical issues, I am only having hormone injections, as radiotherapy and Chemotherapy would put me in the hospital and destroy my quality of life. I totally agree with my oncologist and know that she will put me forward for any trials that come along that I would qualify for.

I am now wondering if I had pushed more, could the cancer have been caught earlier and been treatable rather than manageable?

Maybe if I had a better understanding and had done more research and pushed, I might have had a different outcome.

My Timeline

November 2023 -PSA 10.73 - only tested as part of full bloodwork to diagnose a different condition

January 2024 - PSA 9.53

April 2024 - PSA 12.87

Rectal exam - Felt a hard ridge on the prostate.

MRI did not show any lesions

June 2024 - PSA 16.32

August 2024 - PSA 14.63

Because my PSA level decreased slightly, even though I had been told I would receive an MRI, the Urology Consultant said it looks like it has settled, so I should retest in 6 months. Looking back at this, I should have pushed for the MRI, rather than just accepting the consultant knew best, then maybe the cancer would have been caught earlier

February 2025 - PSA 18.26

March 2025 - PSA 18.36

Then, I had an MRI, CT scan, and bone scan.

Then I had a biopsy with 14 out of 16 samples being cancerous.

May 2025 - T3a N1 M1, Gleason 9, so cancer has broken out of the prostate into lymph nodes and bones; therefore, no longer curable

Due to other medical issues, I am only on the hormone injection path.

With a life expectancy of up to 5 years.

Looking back, I think I should have pushed for an MRI in August 2024.

Could I have been looking at a different outcome?

I keep going back to that moment and blaming myself, that it could have been caught before it broke out of the prostate. Or would it have been clear, and it just happened to develop very quickly in February/March this year?

These are answers I will never know, but I just can't help thinking, what if....

Stevecam 4 hours ago

Sparkied3982b On the bright side, the hormones should help to control the cancer.

Looking at your timeline, PC should have been picked up in November 2023. The alarm bells were ringing then.

I was on active surveillance for a couple of years and was told once my PSA level reached 12, they would intervene. So looking at your PSA levels, you would have thought it could have been picked up earlier.

Did you have any symptoms? I didn't.

I ended up having hormones and Radiotherapy, as I couldn't have surgery because of my other health conditions.

I hope the hormones help to stabilise your Cancer. I know quite a few men who are only on the hormones and they are living a good quality of life.

Take care

Steve (SteveCam)

Mr U 4 hours ago

You’ll drive yourself mad with what if’s but if you are serious you will need to upgrade a what if to a complaint via the PALS system. But it sounds like you’ve taken charge of your future life with both hands.

Choosing just HT is a good start if the HT is working well on you.

I’m sure there’s plenty of things you could have done to analyse all the data we all get thrown at us but in the end it’s what you’re left with that counts.

We are full of experience about all the things you’re worried about and will support all your efforts to understand and move on.

I’m sorry you’re in the situation you are but like me you are stuck with it.

Keep asking questions and let it all out here.

We walk together.

Sparkied3982b 4 hours ago in reply to Stevecam

I never had any symptoms; it was just done as full blood work to help diagnose Fibromyalgia.

Millibob 4 hours ago

Hello Sparkied3982b

My understanding is any PSA for a man between 50 and 60 over 3.5 or between 60 and 70 over 4.5 is a matter for concern - not always treatment but should be investigated.

In November 2023 you should have had a biopsy and MRI scan.

Here's some interesting information from Prostate Cancer UK.

Guidelines/psa-blood-test-nhs-guidelines-and-prostate-cancer-uk-s-risk-checker

Don't forget this is my personal opinion and I am not medically trained.

I wish you well with the Hormone Therapy (I am on it lifelong) and I am aware there are 2nd generation HT drugs to back up the ones I am on if my PSA rises again.

You can always keep an eye on Prostate Cancer trials yourself here:

Cancer/research-clinical-trials - Prostate Cancer.

I hope the above helps - happy to chat.

Best wishes - Brian.

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Could it have been different