Got my diagnosis two days ago

Hi Tony. Some details would help get you good responses.  What is your PSA? Have you had scans? You have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer until you have had a biopsy.

Speedy treatment is almost never needed and usually not a good idea. Early,  accurate diagnosis is the part that is so important, and that is what you are now in the middle of.

 You should give your doctors time to determine your situation. You also need time to learn from your doctors and forums like this, so you can make the best decisions for you.

Hi Tony.

Whilst I absolutely understand your concern, your post suggests you are, in fact, some way short of a full diagnosis. It sounds as though you have had a single PSA test and a rectal exam. It is perfectly normal to have a second PSA test before referral to a urologist, and even that is only the start of the journey.

Prostate cancer is a notorious slow grower so, as Stampede says, there is generally no rush and certainly no need to go private to circumvent the NHS wait. To give you some idea, once I was on the cancer pathway (the referral to the urologist being the first step), everything happened really quite quickly, to the point where I was having surgery just four months after a full diagnosis, my cancer being Gleason 3+4 and my risk determined as intermediate.

This forum is a really good source of information, but even having said that you should only use it as one part of your decision making process. There is a wealth of information out there and, whilst overwhelming at times, in the vast majority of cases there is absolutely no need to make a snap decision on any part of your treatment, that’s if you even need any.

The news you have had will certainly have been a shock, but try not to let it take over your life. Our NHS, despite the naysayers, are absolutely first class - leave yourself in their capable hands and try not to worry. Easy to say I know, but worrying will change nothing.

HH

Hi Tony - I am in full agreement with Stampede and HappyHacker. Prostate Cancer is a slow growing cancer and once on the treatment path after a diagnosis your treatment - if any is required by the NHS will be fine. Cancer is a worry but there is a very good recovery percentage from Prostate Cancer and although I understand your concerns you are now in the system. I know the original diagnosis is a shock but you are in good hands. We have all been there on the waiting game path and it does take time - 15 months in my case (click in the image of the beach to follow my journey) But like many others here my journey has had a good outcome. 

I hope this helps - if you have any questions, post them here, there are plenty of good people with the knowledge to answer them.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Tony. PSA tests are a notoriously blunt tool for detecting cancer, which is why it’s not been rolled out as a national screening program. (Rightly or wrongly!) You don’t give any stats but many things can raise your PSA level, the fact your GP said it is smooth is a good sign. Your GP will use a second blood test to see if the PSA is on an upward trend, if it is you’ll probably then be put on rapid referral for MRI. I was put on rapid referral on the Friday and got a phone call on Saturday for a scan on the Monday! Like the others say it’s way too early to get overly worried. Easier said than done I know. All the best. Daniel 

very helpful response. Thank you.

PSA is 18.3. GP says she is frustrated by the NHS protocol which limits 2-week referrals to men with 20+. 

Great response. So helpful. Thank you. 

Thank you, Brian. These responses have helped me get everything in perspective. 

Thank you, Daniel. Good of you to respond. 

Unless that’s a local NHS protocol I’d ask your GP to look again - I was put straight on the two week pathway with a PSA of 4.1.

Hi, I had a DRE and first PSA blood test in April 2020 but because of COVID had to wait until the September before I was able to see the urologist. That's when my journey really started.

Once seen, I had a 2 week wait for an MRI scan. I went on active surveillance after a biopsy showed 3 positive cores out of 34.

18 months later (August 2022) had another biopsy. PC was classed as aggressive with a PSA up to 14. I was then put on HT in October and had RT in February (20 sessions).

So, like everyone above says PC is slow growing but the NHS are great at what they do.

Keep positive and healthy.

Peter