April Diagnosis my story so far ...

Hello Everyone

A quick introduction to my diagnosis and treatment. There is lengthier backstory to this but I will save this for another post.

I was referred to Ipswich Urology on 15 Feb 2023 after two blood tests showed a PSA above the recommended range of [0-6.1]. My PSA on 16 Dec 22 was PSA 6.64 and on retesting on 8 Feb 23 PSA 6.94. I have been monitoring my PSA following identification of a suspicious area in 2020 which was biopsied but showed no cancer but high-grade PIN was present.

On 17 Feb I had another MRI scan of the prostate which showed the suspicious area had grown.

I was therefore booked in for a template biopsy through the perineum on 29 March. I did delay this until after my 71th birthday party on March 17^th as I didn’t want to be dealing with the after effects of a biopsy at my birthday party. I also felt that as I had received previous negative biopsies and my PSA wasn’t too high my risk was low.

On 20 April I got the biopsy results and showed high grade cancer in 13 0f 24 cores and a Gleason 8 tumour (T2C N0 MX). My lymph’s were clear and I was scheduled for a bone scan on 31 April. I was advised to take the radio therapy option as even if I followed the surgery route I was likely to require additional treatment with radiotherapy/hormones to minimise the risk of the cancer spreading.

I started taking Bicalutamide the same day so no agonising over treatment options.

I met the oncologist on 18 May and was informed my bone scan was clear except for a small area on one of my ribs which they suspect was from a previous trauma not cancer.

The oncologist has prescribed hormone treatment for 3 years and 20 sections of radiotherapy.

My GP initially prescribed Zoladex but due to availability I got my first injection of Decapeptyl on 1 June.

The Bicalutamide gave me very tender nipples but since switching to Decapeptyl this has been less of a problem. As of today the side effects of the Decapeptyl have not been too bad. I am putting on weight and experience erectile dysfunction. I am a little fatigued and get the occasional hot flush. However, I have good quality of life and enjoy salsa dancing three times a week.

Ipswich MacMillan have been brilliant and I have had classes on Kegel exercises and been prescribed a Penis Pump to offset any penis shrinkage from the Decapeptyl.

Will be meeting the oncologist again in late August. Watch this space !

Hope sharing this helps others and I will post the backstory including previous MRIs and biopsies another time.

Rob B