Waiting Times

Hi Coltrane and welcome to our Club.

Firstly, it would be very useful to see your diagnosis PSA and biopsy results, they start with a ‘T’.  Now you are on HT there usually isn’t a panic, in fact it is best to wait for a few months before starting RT.  Others will be along later, to welcome and support you.  Best wishes,  David 

Hello Coltrane  A warm welcome to the online Prostrate Community. You are in the best place for help and information.

the NHS Timeline is 14 days GP to Consultant and 62 days Consultant to start of treatment so you are behind with everything - but that's the NHS and the Cancer Pathway for you.

Wales has it's own ideas on managing health issues, my biggest gripe is you can't use the NHS App there which is a godsend for results and medication details.

However, the good news - you have started HT - so your testosterone will be reduced and the cancer will (should) stop growing - the next step is Radiotherapy. It's now the normal for this to be 3/4 months after the start of HT but different health bodies have longer timelines. I am aware of some patients in east north Wales being sent to England for RT.

I do hope this helps - as my friend David2017 said above, can you please stick your diagnosis on your profile - it would help us when helping you. Just go to the chair on your home page - top right, click on this and then "profile" and then "edit" (you can read my profile by clicking on my avatar - but you don't need to write a novel!!)

I hope this helps - anything else - just ask away.

Best wishes - brian.

Thank you. I’ve put some information on my profile. I didn’t realise that a 3/4 month wait from HT starting to RT was normal. 

The delay in RT after the start on HT is to let the Hormones Therapy do it's work in stopping any further growth and spread of the cancer so it's normal practice.

Thanks for updating your profile - it just helps as a reference point when answering questions.

Keep us posted as to how you are doing and if you need any help with any of the side effects of HT.

Best wishes - Brian.

Coltrane,  thanks for adding your profile.  I would have thought surgery would be an option, but I really don’t know.  Age and fitness might be factors?  Hopefully you have been reassured by the answers to date that there isn’t a panic, so just try and enjoy life.  Best wishes. David

I’m not panicking as such but it the lack of clear information that is an issue for me. I’m a fairly active 75 year old. Still playing golf twice a week  ( when the course is open) and i walk 4/5 km on most days. I’m a keen photographer and I’m out with my cameras several times a week.The Urologist dismissed surgery right from the start. I had no choice about anything but I’m not too concerned about that. People I’ve spoken to who were given a choice said deciding was extremely difficult. Surgery did not appeal to me anyway. I started HT tablets 6 weeks ago and had a first injection 4 weeks ago. So far side effects have been minimal (occasional flushes and occasional tiredness but not enough to stop me doing what i normally do(including looking after grandkids aged 9 and 12). Are the side effects likely to increase over time?  

And here we are !I had kidney cancer,so I had to wait until I had a nephrectomy. I wouldn't  worry to much about waiting time. Just concentrate on getting through your treatment. 

Hello Coltrane  - The "guidelines" used for surgery are the patient should have an expected life span of over 10 years from the date of the surgery - in the UK it's now 82 so anyone over 72 normally would not be offered surgery. there are plenty of debates on here for the pros and cons of surgery. Like you I had no option however again for me surgery was a no anyway!!

Your chances of getting all the side effects are slim but you will get some along with fatigue. As you say you have a lack of information - there's a link to a cracking publication on Hormone Therapy from Prostate Cancer UK below.

https://shop.prostatecanceruk.org/our-publications/all-publications/hormone-therapy

And just in case you are short on bed time reading material here's one for the future on Radiotherapy.

https://shop.prostatecanceruk.org/our-publications/all-publications/external-beam-radiotherapy

If i can do anything else for you - just ask - I hope these links help.

Best wishes - Brian.

Dont worry you will be seen .I'm still waiting after 6 weeks. I have cancer in my spine and prostate  .I am having dizzy spells went dizzy yesterday, fell over and smashed my head .I was rushed to hospital, and am now on cancer ward. I'm taking that many tablets ,I'm getting side affects .I'm better today blue nose 

Hi Brian I'll have a look at future of radiotherapy.