Prostate Cancer test

[Bassak]

PSA test does not inform you if you have or do not have cancer.

The test is just like the covid one not fit for purpose (Neither was deigned to be used this way)

Both have done more harm then good especially the PSA one which has resulted in many people having invasive procedures when there was no need.

The statistics for prostate cancer are high all all parties it should get a lot more attention.

Look at why has it become a problem now in the past it really wasn't and it realistically comes down to lifestyle/diet the same with many other diseases we are seeing increase in even at younger ages.

To be fair to the NHS I went to my GP about something different and mentioned about my water works and was given a PSA test before I left tge surgery. Tge test came back high and had an appointment within two weeks for the hospital, had an MRI then the internal backside one and yes I have prostate cancer. Have another appointment in a few weeks to decide what procedure to take and have seen there is a less invasive new one called Focal Therapy: that is new so will ask about that.

 

[georgenorman]

A respected survey has found that frequent ejaculation, including through masturbation, is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, with studies suggesting a 20–36% reduction in risk for men who ejaculate around 21 times per month compared to less frequent ejaculation. (Yet Wisbech still got it!)

 

[Stirlingsays]

A respected survey has found that frequent ejaculation, including through masturbation, is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, with studies suggesting a 20–36% reduction in risk for men who ejaculate around 21 times per month compared to less frequent ejaculation. (Yet Wisbech still got it!)

So the more are coming the less are going.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

To be fair to the NHS I went to my GP about something different and mentioned about my water works and was given a PSA test before I left tge surgery. Tge test came back high and had an appointment within two weeks for the hospital, had an MRI then the internal backside one and yes I have prostate cancer. Have another appointment in a few weeks to decide what procedure to take and have seen there is a less invasive new one called Focal Therapy: that is new so will ask about that.

Good luck. You are the stage I was 16 years ago, and I am still here, fighting hard. Yes the treatments are getting better all the time.

 

[ASCPFC]

To be fair to the NHS I went to my GP about something different and mentioned about my water works and was given a PSA test before I left tge surgery. Tge test came back high and had an appointment within two weeks for the hospital, had an MRI then the internal backside one and yes I have prostate cancer. Have another appointment in a few weeks to decide what procedure to take and have seen there is a less invasive new one called Focal Therapy: that is new so will ask about that.

Best of luck with everything.

 

[ASCPFC]

A respected survey has found that frequent ejaculation, including through masturbation, is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, with studies suggesting a 20–36% reduction in risk for men who ejaculate around 21 times per month compared to less frequent ejaculation. (Yet Wisbech still got it!)

I read it as 21 times per day.

 

[Bassak]

Best of luck with everything.

Thank you

 

[madcap_v2]

You can get a basic PSA test for less than a tenner or if you want a full panel of bloodwork done, it costs about £40.

Have one less takeaway or a couple less pints a month and you can get one no problem. I get my bloodwork done every 3 months.

 

[grumpymort]

You can get a basic PSA test for less than a tenner or if you want a full panel of bloodwork done, it costs about £40.

Have one less takeaway or a couple less pints a month and you can get one no problem. I get my bloodwork done every 3 months.

Why?

PSA test does not inform if you have a health issue.

People have been mislead into thinking these made up reference numbers are so important when they are not.

Every 3 months you pay £40-50 do you?

 

[madcap_v2]

Why?

PSA test does not inform if you have a health issue.

People have been mislead into thinking these made up reference numbers are so important when they are not.

Every 3 months you pay £40-50 do you?

Why what?

PSA can't diagnose a health issue, but a high reading definitely can be an indicator to get follow up testing or take measures to get it under control. Also, if you weren't aware, I'm black. The prostate is something I need to be mindful of.

I get a full bloodwork panel (hormones, lipids, blood glucose, blood viscocity, liver, kidneys etc) to keep on top of my own health, due to my age and lifestyle; personal reasons...

The full panel could cost me anything between £40 and £90. 2 of them are NHS (every 6 months, instructed by my GP) , 2 of them I pay for. If I can't get the NHS ones anymore, I'll just continue with my private ones, but I'd like to at least have updated records on my file every year. Helped greatly with me getting health insurance cover also.

 

[JRW2]

PSA test does not inform you if you have or do not have cancer.

Correct. But in some circumstances it can sound a warning note. Many years ago I used to have an annual reading, and when it was seen that my PSA level had gone up three years in a row, I underwent a biopsy, and sure enough the sample was found to be cancerous. It was detected early enough to be treated - but would it have been?

 

[Spiderman]

This is a subject close to my heart!

I have had prostate cancer for the last 16 years. Had the prostate removed, was told I was cancer free, saw it recur, had salvage radiotherapy, saw it disappear again only to see it recur again this year. Now on hormone therapy with nasty side effects.

I have mixed feelings about this announcement. In my experience GPs won’t refuse a reasonable request. So if you have concerns, ask and if refused think of changing your GP or paying privately. It won’t be very expensive!

Whether there should be routine screening is another question. Instinct says why not, what’s to lose but apparently there are many occasions when a rise in PSA without symptoms is a false alarm, requiring no treatment and causing unnecessary concerns. Responding to symptoms, especially the need to pee during the night, is important. Rather than just ask for a blood test to check PSA, ask the GP for a DRA. They can do that themselves and if they find anything suspicious refer you to a urologist. That was how my cancer was found! I was symptomless, or at least unaware of them, and my GP referred me because they spotted something. They didn’t tell me why, so it was a huge shock to learn I had it.

Keep well Wissie

 

[Spiderman]

I read it as 21 times per day.

You w***er 🤣

 

[Spiderman]

To be fair to the NHS I went to my GP about something different and mentioned about my water works and was given a PSA test before I left tge surgery. Tge test came back high and had an appointment within two weeks for the hospital, had an MRI then the internal backside one and yes I have prostate cancer. Have another appointment in a few weeks to decide what procedure to take and have seen there is a less invasive new one called Focal Therapy: that is new so will ask about that.

Hope all goes well. Look to Wissie as an example, 16 years and still a pain in the arse ( excuse the pun) 😂

 

[grumpymort]

Why what?

PSA can't diagnose a health issue, but a high reading definitely can be an indicator to get follow up testing or take measures to get it under control. Also, if you weren't aware, I'm black. The prostate is something I need to be mindful of.

I get a full bloodwork panel (hormones, lipids, blood glucose, blood viscocity, liver, kidneys etc) to keep on top of my own health, due to my age and lifestyle; personal reasons...

The full panel could cost me anything between £40 and £90. 2 of them are NHS (every 6 months, instructed by my GP) , 2 of them I pay for. If I can't get the NHS ones anymore, I'll just continue with my private ones, but I'd like to at least have updated records on my file every year. Helped greatly with me getting health insurance cover also.

it has been proven the values do not have a great meaning and is just a cost for the sake of it.

You get your blood work done for no valid reason then and have money to burn because a few you listed are just that.

6 months is more practice for some tests if a person has a disease.

If you are living an un natural life expect you will get something no matter what tests you have it doesn't matter if you are black/white/purple.

Correct. But in some circumstances it can sound a warning note. Many years ago I used to have an annual reading, and when it was seen that my PSA level had gone up three years in a row, I underwent a biopsy, and sure enough the sample was found to be cancerous. It was detected early enough to be treated - but would it have been?

A large % of people who have higher numbers do not have prostate cancer and will then go through having a biopsy when there was no need for it and have more issues after.

They are moving away from this which is a good thing.

Because a test shows cancer it doesn't mean it always has to be treated this appears to be something many people do not understand.

 

[Badger11]

The problem with tests in general are that you are bench marked against the norm (whatever that is). But what happens if you are perfectly healthy but not in the normal range?

My guess is the way forward is to benchmark against yourself through out your life span. I have a mate whose blood pressure always raises concerns but he points out that it's always been like that and hasn't changed since he became an adult.

Apparently an MRI scan is more indicative of what your prostate is up to?

 

[Bassak]

The problem with tests in general are that you are bench marked against the norm (whatever that is). But what happens if you are perfectly healthy but not in the normal range?

My guess is the way forward is to benchmark against yourself through out your life span. I have a mate whose blood pressure always raises concerns but he points out that it's always been like that and hasn't changed since he became an adult.

Apparently an MRI scan is more indicative of what your prostate is up to?

Yes if you PSA is high you would then be sent For an MRI.

 

[Wisbech Eagle]

Keep well Wissie

Thanks. I am trying hard not to let the little b~gger win!

 

[madcap_v2]

it has been proven the values do not have a great meaning and is just a cost for the sake of it.

You get your blood work done for no valid reason then and have money to burn because a few you listed are just that.

6 months is more practice for some tests if a person has a disease.

If you are living an un natural life expect you will get something no matter what tests you have it doesn't matter if you are black/white/purple.

It's been proven above that PSA is a very worthwhile test, if only as a warning.
Because I don't tell you the reason I get regular bloodwork, you assume it's for no valid reason? It's private and personal to me and absolutely necessary. I don't spend much money on anything other than holidays, around £150 max for some private health checks per year is about the equivalent of a meal out with my wife.

Again, mentioned elsewhere and in the thread that rates of prostate cancer are high in black, middle-aged men. I'd rather waste my money to be sure, than leave it too late. Quite the idiotic view to just say "ah well, we're all going to get something, I won't bother checking my health". I am very health conscious because I love my life and want to be around as long as possible for those in it.

 

[madcap_v2]

Good luck. You are the stage I was 16 years ago, and I am still here, fighting hard. Yes the treatments are getting better all the time.

Wishing you and @Bassak all the best for a positive outcome