Dont die of embarassment

Stu
Good luck with the treatment. I shall go and have my blood test tomorrow.
Peter (aged 60)

PS I can do this because today we launched in perfect weather and tonight SWMBO says I am suntanned. There is a lot of good living to be done.
 
To all for their help and support, thanks, Im pretty upbeat so will post occasionally on progress.
Peter, know how you feel, stayed an extra day yesterday on the boat, sun shone, all was well with the world!
Stu
 
I think you'll find that is part of the national bowel screening programme. I've had one too but haven't a clue how participants are selected. My mate, same postcode, same age and general history hasn't and is getting uptight with the local Health Authority as a result. As far as I'm concerned, its free, not particularly onerous so it would be silly not to.
 
Its as Vic says, bowel cancer screening, the test detects minute amounts of blood in poo ive been told
Stu
 
Thanks, have thought long and hard about posting but am doing the same thing in my local news sheet. Because of what happened to me, the local GP is changing the criteria whereby he offers PSA tests, I hope it will help get more people detected who could conceivably have dropped through the net.
Stu
 
I go to the Doc for a check every 6 months for other problems, last wednesday,had blood test, doc calls me next day, die bloody betees /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Because of what happened to me, the local GP is changing the criteria whereby he offers PSA tests,

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats the wrong bit. Its your body and your life not his. So you decide if you want a test and if you do tell him you're having one.

No need to be rude or aggressive. Just be persistent. The days of deference to a medic should be long gone.
 
I can only echo what so many have already said. Get tested. Eight years ago I went, at the age of 52, for a PSA test on the urging of a family member who had similarly been urged by a friend who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer following a PSA test, although he had no symptoms. My relative also was symptom free but was found to have prostate cancer and I also was found to have cancer. That is three PSA tests which proved positive without any other symptoms manifest.

If your GP is reluctant to give you a PSA test tell him you are up several times in the night and have difficulty in peeing. It really shouldn't be necessary to fib. If all else fails get it done privately then revert to your GP with the results.

I have had a radical prostatectomy (the whole gland removed) and my PSA is now under .01, though it continues to be monitored every six months. Yes there are downsides but they are better than the alternative. If anyone would like to know more about my experience please get in touch with a personal message. I shall be very happy to share full details if it helps to extend someone else's life.

Michael
 
[ QUOTE ]
Had an ultrasound scan (rather than the digit up the rear).


[/ QUOTE ]My former employer used to provide bi-annual MOT's but when it came to the digit up bum bit, my natural reaction was so anti, the quack couldn't do it! After the first MOT I just declined that part. However since then I've lived with the thought that was very foolish of me. I'm interested to know how the ultrasound thing works? Are the results just as satisfactory, is it a NHS procedure or a private choice?

Re the bowel cancer test mentioned by HLB, just received my invitation in the post too. Sounds like a good thing, haven't received the actual DIY kit yet.
 
Just as an encouragement, not all prostate problems are cancer, it just seems to cause problesm as we get old, I am of to the specialist again this afternoon to revue my treatment, but I don't have cancer just a restricted urine flow.
 
I agree. as noted earlier, mine is just oversize which is age related. The biopsy is unpleasant but better than not knowing.

Not sure there is a reluctance to test for PSA. I had no problems and saw the specialist within 2 weeks of test results.

So, my advice is if anybody has concerns don't hesitate to go straight to GP.
 
The only tests I had were, PSA, then GP finger up bum, then consultant finger up bum, he then said "Oh you have probably got cancer", no preamble! Then a week later digital thing up bum (it looks like a cigar tube!) for transrectal ultrasound biopsy sample which confirmed it. Someone described the ultrasound thingy as like having an "air rifle shoved up your arse" It works with compressed air, the first shot gives you a cocaine needle, he waits for it to take effect then he uses the ultrasound to guide the thing in to position so that he can fire it again to take samples. It sounds just like a BSA Airsporter going off! It in actual fact is just uncomfortable, the side effects are some blood in semen and urine for a couple of days. They put you on hi powered antibiotics during and for 4 days after (no booze) plus a torpedo of antibiotics up bum for while the insertion and biopsy is going on.
The GP told me after that one of the reasons for being cautious with the PSA test is that it does throw up false positives and the transrectal thingy is not to be undertaken lightly if it is a positive, something I think which was being alluded to by our consultant physician forumite.
Stu
 
And thats the prob, men will continue to die of embarassment because of the thought of a rectal exam. Men think it will affect them, massaging of the prostate haveing "sexual" consequences, it doesnt. Having had it done several times now, I can assure everyone its not a prob.
Stu
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm interested to know how the ultrasound thing works? Are the results just as satisfactory, is it a NHS procedure or a private choice?

Re the bowel cancer test mentioned by HLB, just received my invitation in the post too. Sounds like a good thing, haven't received the actual DIY kit yet.

[/ QUOTE ] I am in the Caribbean. The ultrasound thing was private, £40.00.

Finger will only give indication if prostrate is enlarged and does not go right around the gland.
 
going back to what I posted earlier about insisting on a psa test, the way my GP tried to disssuade me was by insisting on a finger test first. she had delicate hands. biggest worry was about reacting to her in others ways. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
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