Newly diagnosed with prostate cancer

Hi

if your still working, then I’m sure you cannot claim p.I.p. Unless your incurable the treatments can vary, they should not interfere with you working. If you’ve had a biopsy some numbers would be helpful.

stay safe

Joe

Hi Pedrocas

Just to give you another perspective, my husband was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer back in 2019. He went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy and 37 of radiotherapy and found that apart from treatment days and 2 days towards the end of his chemotherapy he was able to continue working throughout. It is wise to look into what support you might need but just wanted to let you know that not everyone has to stop working.

I don't know what kind of employment contract you have but you are entitled to sick leave and also have some level of protection under the Disability Act if you feel your employer is discriminating against you unfairly because of your diagnosis. For more detailed advice and guidance I'd strongly recommend contacting the Macmillan Helpline 0808 808 00 00 - they have trained experts who can talk you through your options and explain your rights to what kinds of financial support may be available to you. They are open 7 days per week 8.00am to 8.00pm but from memory I think the financial advisors work Monday to Friday.

Wishing you all the best as you embark on your treatment journey. I understand that receiving the diagnosis was devastating but there are a lot of people out there living full lives after diagnosis.

Pedrocas,

I was diagnosed with PC in May 2021, I wanted to keep working as much as I could.  But like Joe said, working made you unsuitable for PIP.  I couldn't afford to live on the minimum Sick pay.  No matter how I tried, I couldn't claim a penny.

It is an unfair system, but I managed to make it all the way without being off work.  Working kept my mind off the Cancer.

Luckily we paid our mortgage off just after I was diagnosed.

I hope you can sort something out.

Hi Joe

Thanks for replying. I had my biopsy already it came 4/24 positive C cells positive. Never stop working  so far, it keeps me going and trying not to stress down. 

Stay safe all the best.

Hi PatienceP

Thank you for your kind words it looks like you and your husband been through a lot. The day I received the PC news I was feeling badly and I cried, look like the end of the road, even  whatever treatment I would possibly choose looked unreal so many bad side effects. Now with the help of family friends(including texting in this group) I am more positive person and  will keep on working till loose my ability to do so. Thanks for your advise and I hope very honestly your husband gets well very soon.

Stay safe  

Hi Steve 

Thanks for your words of encouragement I am a lorry driver I am sitting on my prostate for long hours per day but I will try to be brave and keep on working. I hope you're well now take care 

Stay safe 

Pedrocas,

Please be aware of Fatigue.  After 4 weeks of Radiation treatment the fatigue hit me really bad.

Now 11 months after that, I still haven't recovered my fitness (not that I was particularly fit).  My stamina has totally disappeared, even trying a little gardening, I am having to go and lie down for a while.

I'm in Remission but I wish I had a bit more energy.

Sorry to whinge on a bit.  I do have a course of Acupuncture starting next week to help with the Hot Flushes and Fatigue.  

This forum has been a great help to me over the past 18 months.  Hope it helps you too.

Best of luck.

Hi Joe 

my start number was 47 and 0.01 first test after treatment 4+3 and localised to the prostate but has come out but nowhere else thankfully. sorry not good at remembering all the diagnosis info does this help.

thing is I enjoy my job and ironically enough I make cancer drugs so I feel even stronger then I ever have about it!! 
but it’s getting harder tired so much and hot sweats that have changed from nights to days more and more frequent 

Hi 

and thanks for your support!!

Work have been fantastic and unfortunately the sick scene is very good but used most of it up last year for a neck operationcovid and my treatment!! I do have a youngish family and time off isn't an optional the moment!! 

I think I'm feeling worse as I'm in the waiting stage for results which doesn't help 

But thank you and I hope your o/h is doing ok .

Hi 
I'm pleased you made it through and ill be honest I thought I had but pain fatigue and not talk about my issues haven't helped me 
But I need to stay strong and deal with results and push forward 
Thank you