Psa 30.4 urgent referal

Hello Skye, I’m really sorry to hear that you are experiencing this anxiety.  there are a whole series of diagnostic tests to go through if they pick up the presence of possible cancer on an MRI scan.  We found this was the toughest part of the whole experience as there were delays between each test. We just wanted to know what we were facing! So we ‘pushed’ for earlier procedures and said we were prepared to take ‘late cancellation appointments’. The following link explains the different diagnostic tests https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/prostate-tests

We were really fortunate in that the hospital we use have a prostate cancer specialist nurse team who were absolutely fantastic throughout. I hope you can find similar support. We don’t have a local Maggies team, which , I hear, are also very supportive. However, we do have a local support group and we have attended their monthly meetings and found support there too,

please hang on to the fact that prostate cancer is known to be slow growing,.  It is also curable if caught early and manageable if not. There are a lot of newer and more effective drugs out there and research is ongoing. 

I always go with my husband to his appointments - not just to ‘be there’ for him but to ask questions and to remember what he’s being told!  I have also googled massively! I’m not sure whether the Googling has helped, though, or made me more anxious! I will leave that one to you!!!

The uncertainty is agonising but you are not alone in this journey. Everybody here has their own journey to describe and their own ways of dealing with it. The one thing we have in common is that we are here for each other and ‘in the same boat’ 

best of luck!

Hi Skye45 sorry to hear you've joined our club but welcome.

it's a great place to be to get loads of advice and support, it's a shock to get this news for all of us but you will get so much from this forum.

My diagnosis was back in August 2022 with a PSA of 39, you can read my journey so far by clicking my name/chair at the top of page.

The worst bit is the waiting for things to happen like scans, tests, consultations etc etc and unfortunately this can go on for months.

In the vast majority of cases, any cancer that is identified will be slow growing so shouldn't impact on the prognosis too much just lots of anxiety for everyone.

My only bit of advice is to research PC so you understand all the treatment options and ask the experts you meet lots of questions and be a bit "pushy" regarding appointments. Be available for any cancellations that may come up.

My only regret is that I didn't start the hormone therapy treatment much earlier when first diagnosed but it seems that not how they do things! Might be worth asking your GP about this. 

All the best for you both on your journey. 

Graham

Hi Skye. Welcome, I know like us all you don't want to be here but this is the best place for help and advice - I have had so much help it's been great and I hope my journey is almost over.

A PSA of 30.4 is high but there are plenty of treatments available to you and WW and Graham have stolen my thunder with the best advice. It's the waiting - tests - results -action and it does take time.

We are all different with this journey and it depends where you live and who is treating you, and again to quote Graham, find out as much as you can whilst you are waiting.

I consider myself a lucky bunny as my initial PSA in December 2021 was 182 and after treatment I am now down to 1.37 and feel fine. You can read my journey by clicking on the image of the beach.

Good luck with your husband's journey and keep us posted. Ask away if you have questions.

Kind Regards - Brian.

Hi all

Thank you for your advice and reply’s. 

We still have had no appointment through so we are opting to go through husbands private insurance he has through his work so fingers crossed things move a wee bit quicker there as this waiting is just so difficult. 

hope yous are all doing well in your journeys? 

thank you ️ 

Good luck Skye45, hopefully you have had an appointment by now. My PSA was 68. If you do get cancer confirmed, the main thing is to get started on the hormone treatment, pills to start probably then injections every 3 months or so. Once you are on the hormone treatment the waiting time isnt as important becausr the tumour should be prevented from growing, good luck. 

Thank you had first consultation tonight. Not sure what to take from it. Consultant very good and straight to point although I am thinking he is fully expecting cancer. As he has organised an MRI SCAN, CT scan with dye and a bones scan. He did examine and did say our go rightly so to be worried as left side of prostate really firm. His urine flow was very stop and start. But whole chat was about prostate cancer and it was me that mentioned at the end about possible benign conditions which he just didn’t entertain much. We have both cane away more or less preparing for a cancer diagnoses after scans and biopsies. Give him his due he had already requested bone scan yesterday before seeing us toda just with the gp referal. Which I thought was strange as they don’t normally want to expose you to radiation unesscary also the cost of scans. All in all I am confident we have a very efficient and knowledgable consultant so will just wait and see what happens. He is away to start him on tamoxifen which again is used in prostate cancer patients possibly benign conditions too away to research. It’s a minefield all this 

Hi, ye the tests will be used all together to give you a full and proper diagnosis. They need to know if its cancer, what sort it is (fast like mine , or slow growing) and if its spread outside the prostate. I suspect you will be put on hormone treatment even as a precaution (that will stip any growth thats there, if any) good luck, loads on here have/are going through it , it helps to talk

Aww has yours spread? As he said PSA 30.49 wouldn’t suggest spread as it high but low for a spread but obviously they need the scans first before they can confirm it. But I just didn’t think they would do the ct with dye of bone scan untill they had confirmed cancer with MRI and biopsies. 
is the tamoxifen the hormone therapy that people are started on alongside radiotherapy. Forgot to ask 

Dunno about the drug (hormone)? Trust the hospital, obviously. PSI numbers can be in the hundreds, i think thats why they need all the test results to give a clear picture of what, if anything is going on. If a cancer is contained within the prostate it does seem there are more options to treat/ kill it

Hi Skye, I didn't think they would confirm PC until after a biopsy.  Has your hubby had that yet?  Tamoxifen is more usually associated with breast cancer treatment, I have not heard of anyone having it for PC but I could be wrong.  I am on hormone treatment - started on Bicalutamide and Zoladex with enzalutamide as I was diagnosed with advanced PC.
The early stages are a worrying time, try and stay strong.  You will find a lot of support here.
Steve