Age 69 , psa 10 , stage 2b Gleason 4+3
Have lived in France since the death of my wife 5 years ago . French language skills adequate but not fluent .
Had a general health screen last year by my new GP who did a PSA without me noticing it . 10 . So ultrasound ( big prostate ,100ml), referral to Urologue , MRI ( eventually , due to COVID ) Pirades5 9mm long lesion .. MRI fusionTRUS . Gleason borderline 3+4 , 4+3 . CT and bone scans . Guided towards surgery - RARP 1st February.. Almost exactly 1 year after presentation . Recovery very straightforward so far .
i note some big differences between here , and what I read about UK .
1 The lack of counselling before PSA.
2. The lack of urgency of the Urologue ( although I was also hesitant especially during peak COVID .
3. Thé fact that after scans / biopsies , you are the first to hear , often directly from the radiologist on the same day
4. No automatic contact with an oncologue or radio therapist - the surgeon talks to the MDT
5.I was given the alternative of a preliminary TURP , 2 months of EBRT ,6 months of ADT.
6. I am being kept in hospital for the duration of catheterisation « No urologist in France would let you go home after 2 nights »
Overall , the facilities have been fabulous . This small Clinique ( local for me) has a daVinci , and RARP is the default . I have not met a doctor in training -all specialists.I can see the Pyrenees from my room . I think my treatment has been great , But very different from Britain . What do they have to learn from each other ?
