YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Brian Saunders and Susan live in County Tyrone, UK. He was 58 when he was diagnosed on January 25, 2009. His initial PSA was 6.1 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Active surveillance. Here is his story.

Had a PSA done in the summer 2008, it was 3.9 and the GP said it was ok and she would review it in 6 months. Checked again in December '08, PSA now 6.1. We were told this was almost definitely not cancer but it would do no harm to be checked my a urologist. GP checked PSA again Jan 2nd - 7.2

Saw urologist Jan 5th '09, told only an 18% chance of cancer but advised to have a biopsy. PSA and free PSA done.

Jan 14th Biopsy

Jan 28th Biopsy results - 2 of the 14 biopsies were positive for cancer, the consultant who did the biopsy was so convinced it wouldn't be cancer he had written on notes to refer to a LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) clinic for BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) assessment. We were told it was low grade low volume and given the choice of surveillance, surgery or radiotherapy. We think, as the cancer is probably small at the moment, we will stick with monitoring for now and see what happens in the next few months, the referral to the LUTS clinic has still been made to hopefully relieve BPH symptoms. If PSA keeps rising we will probably re-evaluate.

We were not told Gleason, stage, PSA/free PSA results from Jan 5th or any other relevant information and have been trying to contact the specialist nurse ever since.

Feb 2nd Waiting for nurse to call back to get relevant information.

Feb 2nd 16:45 Finally get to speak to the nurse with information.

Gleason 3+3
Stage T1c
PSA from Jan 5 '09 6.7 - WooHoo down slightly from the 2nd Jan Free PSA 2.9 (43%) Prostate volume 73cc Finally out of 14 biopsies 2 were positive and of those 2 30% of each core showed cancer.

 

UPDATED

April 2009

 

 

Had my first 3 monthly PSA done April 7th and it is down to 5.6, have an appointment with the urology nurse on Friday (17th).

 

UPDATED

July 2009

 

 

Most recent PSA was on June 25th, down to 2.5, have to remember the Proscar can halve PSA so it's probably still around 5 but that's still good.

The Proscar seems to be working for the BPH, my flow is improving and residual urine left in my bladder is down from 250 ml to 10 ml.

Saw the urology nurse she is very happy with things and is suggesting 6 monthly visits with me getting a PSA test in between so we can contact her if anything goes awry.

So everything is looking good, thank You God, will report back in another 3 months.

Take care everyone.

Brian and Susan.

Brian's e-mail address is: bsaunders@talktalk.net