Dad diagnosed

Hello Rangermum 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community, although I am so sorry to find you joining us especially so soon after losing your mum.

Yes. a PSA of 500 is high and Dad's full diagnosis sadly will be Advanced Prostate Cancer, and I would suggest treatable but not curable - however take note we have community members with that diagnosis who have been with us for 10 years or more. 

The start of a Prostate Cancer journey involves a few tests, usually a MRI Scan ,(sometimes a CT or other scan)  a Bone scan and a Biopsy, once all of these have been done it's then a waiting game to get the full results sorted and then a treatment plan agreed.

I can understand your feelings at this time and if you want to talk to someone - just to get it out of your system - or for reassurance please do give our Support Line a call (it's free) om 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week).

I am sure others will be along with messages of support - we are all one big family here and we understand - so please do ask any questions - nothing is too trivial.

Best wishes - Brian.

I know it’s difficult to do but you need to slow down a little.

”Riddled with it” does not sound like the language that any medic would use .

There are many on here that have had PSA levels similar to that and have embarked on treatment to control and alleviate symptoms.

How is your dad feeling physically and perhaps as importantly mentally.

Its early days and I am sure that you will get responses from those who have had a similar result.

All the very best to you.

Hello Rangermum,

I'm very sorry you have the need to join this forum but you'll find it both a friendy place and one to get practical advice and information from others who have experience of prostate cancer themselves as well as their relatives and friends.

I can only echo the comments already made by others. Prostate cancer is very treatable as many here can testify. Treatability is continually improving as new therapies are emerging all the time. I was first diagnosed in 2016 and, although now on indefinite treatment, still live a pretty normal life (right now I'm in the Canary Islands enjoying some warm sun).

I also agree with Rivelin that "riddled" is most certainly not a word I'd expect any medic to use.

Hang in there, give your Dad support and encouragement as he goes through tests and into his treatment plan.

With my best wishes,

Derek.

I have a PSA just under 500 and I’m not riddled so is quite possible you are wildly wrong.

The Hormone Therapy will smash that down to zilch very soon I bet. So as the other Pals have said on this forum post, calm down. Wait for a diagnosis in 3 or 4 weeks and know that this is not a fast growing cancer. So a few weeks of tests and scans and a biopsy probably will get to the bottom of your dads situation.

So have a cuppa and try and be patient while the wheels of the NHS turn and the tests are done.

Good luck

Hi Rangermum I am sorry to hear about your recent loss. I can only agree with the others who have posted.  I have a friend who started with a PSA of several thousand and after 2 years it is still contained in his prostate, so without information and a proper diagnosis ‘ridled’ isn’t a word that should be used.  There may be a spread from the gland but this can still be curable and in all cases treatable.  You have a horrible wait coming up, but once you start to get results, pop back and we will help you through things.