We are all thinking of Sir. Chris Hoy and his family this morning, as he spoke out across the weekend about his diagnosis of stage 4 Prostate Cancer. I also know that a lot of people are worried after reading his news, especially if you have prostate cancer in the family, so to re-cap:
If prostate cancer is in your family you have a 1 in 4 chance of getting it, and should be tested earlier than 50, regardless of symptoms!
Get tested from 45 are the current NICE guidelines, earlier if you are worried.
You’ll have a blood test at your GP surgery.
A PSA test isn’t a test for cancer, it’s a blood test that looks at the level of antigen in the blood, higher the marker could mean you need further tests.
DRE – digital rectal examination, usually performed by your GP, to check how your prostate feels, they’re looking for nodules on the prostate…sadly they can only feel on one side of the gland! So not a full diagnosis.
MRI Fusion Scan – Gets a good look at the prostate gland to see what’s going on. A full colour 360 look. The consultant gets a good idea of what is going on with your prostate, can see every part of the prostate.
Biopsy – tests any lesions / worrying areas for cancer.
The prostate is in a tricky spot, testing for cancer can be complicated, not all cancers spread or are aggressive.
Some cause no issues outside the prostate gland, you could live with it for the rest of your life……that’s the issue clinicians have.
We need to find those aggressive cancers , the ones that will cause harm, and intervene early, usually found in men who have prostate cancer in the family and under retirement age.
Treatments are changing rapidly, medical trials are finding new ways of keeping cancer at bay, so please don’t give up hope.
I’m hopeful Immune therapy and DNA targeted therapies will be here in the near future in the mainstream, to help many more men.
In the meantime, if this fits your story, get checked, to find an aggressive cancer that isn’t yet producing symptoms is the best case scenario.
For more help, advice or support please message us using the contact us link on the site, or come along to one of our support group meetings (its free).
We are here for you.
If you or someone you know is affected by prostate, testicular or penile cancer, our free patient and family support groups across Devon and Cornwall offer a space to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
