Good down to earth tell it as it is advice Joe. Top man. My gleeson was 8. Due for prostate removal in March. Its not spread beyond the glsnd. Men being open and informative like this helps to reassure others.
I started out with a PSA of 438 and I felt the cancer when the doctor did the DRE. That was on a Wednesday had the SCAN & biopsy before the weekend was over had 11 of 12 cores positive Gleason 4 + 5 Mets to three nodes and the spine that is when I was 60 I am 63 now and i have had many problems but life is still good and I plan to make as many birthdays and Christmas as possible 😢😢
Hi Joe. 58-yrs old. April/May this year I started getting the usual symptoms, weak flow and getting up 2-3 times a night. At hospital for something else mid October and my missus mentioned symptoms to the consultant surgeon who referred me to a urologist. A week later I had a consultation and DRE and he said my prostate was enlarged but didn't feel too bad but gave me a PSA test anyway. Another week later on the follow-up with the urologist and the PSA result was 2000. The following week I had a biopsy and a few days later a bone scan and another PSA test. Immediately started on initial two shots of Firmagon (degarelix). Result was Stage 4 Gleason 9, PSA now 3500 and cancer spread to my upper skeleton, arms, ribs, breast bone, shoulder blades; bloody everywhere. Started on Zytiga (Abiraterone) and Prednisolone. End of November I had another PSA and PSMA PET-CT scan which confirmed the bone scan and also in one lymph node. First week of December I had my third shot of Firmagon. My PSA had dropped to 20. Agreed on the DRE, I struggled to sit down and after the biopsy I had to have a catheter fitted. Had that for around four weeks, was a fucking nightmare for a few days after it was removed, pissing neat blood, pain and blood clots. Cleared-up after a few days. The medical oncologist has told me I will be on hormone therapy for life. Side effects from hormone therapy didn't start until this month. Night sweats and a really weird feeling of nervousness in my chest, dizziness, headache, loss of sex drive.....My missus and I have decided the best course of action for me is to have my balls removed (bilateral orchiectomy). Sounds drastic I know but I can drop the Firmagon and related side effects apart from the impotence ha. Be interested to keep up with your journey mate, treatment, diet, exercise, what you have told your family. I haven't told my three lads yet or anyone else back in the UK (I live in Thailand), I don't suppose there's any good time to tell them but I thought I'd get Christmas and New Year out of the way first. ..........Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, spread the message to all men out there and thanks for your service. Good luck. Mark
Wow. PSA 3500 and down now to 20. Undoubtedly due to hormone therapy. You are definitely having a hard time my friend and I am sorry. Regarding informing family, yes it’s a tough one. In my case I told all family and friends when I found out. It wasn’t Xmas in my case so I can understand why you didn’t want to dampen the Christmas spirit. You have a great new year and many more.
I enourage you to reconsider the decision to remove your testacles. You can take the medication (ADT) and get the same result. You will have the lousy side effects in any event. No testosterone will do that to you. Be careful.
I am 75 now but I was diagnosed in February of 2023 as were you. Unfortunately mine has metastasized throughout my body with bone lesions on my spine and other places in my skeleton. I have had chemo and radiation therapy and am now reasonably comfortable pain wise. My PSA now is 0.47 and climbing again so my oncologist is working out what he is going to do. I'm in Australia and fighting the good fight. It is not getting me down and I am lucky to have a wonderful young wife who is looking after me very well. Keep up the good work.
Sorry to hear that Mark. Keep up the fight my friend. Like you I have someone, who is helping me through it. Hopefully your oncologist will come up with something soon. Good luck.
I'm just getting started on this journey, mate. Scared as most of us are. MRI shows two lesions on my prostate (one that is highly likely malignant) and this journey started with a annual PSA at the end of this summer. Latest PSA was only 5.5 which I though wasn't so bad at the time, but just to be sure I booked an appointment with a urologist and then... we'll you know the story. After the unsettling MRI result, getting a 22 needle biopsy done in mid-Feb and will then have more data to fully understand where I am right now and where I'm probably headed in terms of any necessary treatments. Going to demand a PSMA PET scan at some point to check for any spread throughout my body! That seems to be the new gold standard for such things. You have no idea how helpful it is to so many of us to hear stories like your. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Let’s hope it’s, if indeed it is confirmed, it’s confined to the prostate. Keeps us updated please. Glad my video and all the comments have helped. Take care my friend.
Admiration and appreciation to Joe for your video on prostate cancer, your journey is May I say typical of older men’s experience. I was 66yrs, just arrived back in Australia from California sailing the 42foot yacht I’d bought. Fit and healthy I went for an annual medical, no symptoms buy PSA from memory was 6.2, digital indicated lumpy hard area on prostate, I immediately got a second opinion same opinion to get it checked out. Biopsy came back negative but further MRI scan & MRI guided biopsy hit positive targets, I think Gleeson 7 and agressive. I was alone on my yacht in Brisbane in total shock, bronze and fit yet diagnosed with cancer. Luck for me there was a comparison trial going on: open surgery v robotic for a cost/ results evaluation. Just by shear luck I got the robotic by a brilliant urology surgeon Geoff Coughlin for my prostatectomy with great success. A year or so later I’ve sailed down to Hobart when my 0.05psa gradually rose to 1.5psa, now I’m freaking out but luck came to my aid once again, a cruising friend knew a top Urologist in Hobart who agreed to see me, he directed me to an eminent radiotherapist in Hobart hospital who treated me for 7 weeks X 5 days/ week and now my psa is stable @ 0.05 for the past 10 yrs. I do have mild incontinence but @ 76yrs I feel blessed and very thankful to all professional doctors and nurses who looked after me and dear friends who guided and helped me : Gail Maynard(deceased) & Bruce Morley.
Thank you for your post. You have certainly been blessed with excellent care on your journey Alan. Hopefully you can continue on your sailing travels around the globe for many more years my friend.
Had an HMO, Kaiser Permante, and as you know doctors come and go. My primary care physician was terrible. He left Kaiser and I was assigned a new doctor. She looked at the files of her patients and saw my PSA numbers doubled back to back. She called me never got a call from Kaiser before. She referred me to a urologist and 13 biopsies later yep cancer. To make a long story shorter, doctors are only as good as they are human. Thank you Doctor you saved my life.
Been with Kaiser many years, don't know my primary they come and go. Horrible insurance, always overbooked, takes forever to see a doctor, money over your health. The care has gone downhill over the years.
Been there friend , self advocate with knowledge and respect,but push back until you are satisfied. Love you ! The only good thing about my chemotherapy and radiation were (and still are ) the patients I met . I learned what empathy is and that people are descent and kind .
When my PSA went up to around 7 I had my prostate removed. Laparoscopic robotic procedure was employed by the surgeon. Lengthy procedure - recovery quite fast, although I had some difficulty urinating after the catheter and urinary bag was removed a week later. That passed and I was left with a limited sex life. Of course I was 78 years old at the time and my sexual performance was not at full strength anyway. However, I am very happy to be alive and healthy with no urinary incontinence (a concern for many).
My journey started 2012 - no symptoms opportunistic PSA test 6.2, Prostatectomy ,3+4 G7 , as of today mets to lymph nodes from pelvic to neck with spots to rib cage half way through Chemo PSA went from 38 to 1.19 five sessions. Hormone therapy failed after 30 months from being undetectable to 38 on PSA testing. I’m 66 in March I expect another five years of survival,and will enjoy every minute of it .Best wishes to you sir keep on going never give up.
Thank you for posting Joe. I found out in October 2023 that I had. PSA of 68.4. After the pet scan I was informed it had spread to my bones. In November I received the months supply of tablets and the injection to last 3 months. My next injection is early February 2024. As far as side effects are concerned I have had very few. I have pain in my right hip and lower back but that is about it. Please keep us up to date as I am sure you are aware, the uncertainty of the future is what concerns most of us. Keep fighting we need to support each other. Ben
Thanks for posting your comment Ben. I’m a few months ahead of you and been on HT (Prostap) for it a little while. The hot flushes hitting me night and day are probably the most obvious side effect. I’m sure there will be more in time. With regards your pain in the hip and lower back, it might well be mechanical (muscle tightness etc). An osteopath may well be worth a visit. I had issues with my psoas and piriformis muscles which affected my lower back. My hip pain was arthritis hence the hip replacements. I will post a further update soon on YT and yes be strong and keep fighting.
Hip issue is likely not connected to your prostrate. Make an osteopath appointment like I did to be sure. My osteopath prescribed 15mg of Meloxicam which took care of my hip pain completely. Since then, I have reduced my Meloxicam intake to 7.5mg every other day to be taken with food. Now I only need to deal with my prostrate issue which did rise to over 7 but has now dropped to 4.6 which is considered high but below 5 which was normal for my age of 73. I go every 6 months for a CT scan and then blood tests every 3 months. My doctors say that I will likely only need monitoring for now.
I'm really sorry mate for the news you've received and I know it's not easy to come to terms with. I truly hope whatever treatment you receive really works for you and that your family and friends are supporting you through this time in your life.
2017 Gleason score 4+5, Davinci prostatectomy, year later PSA rising fast, hormone therapy followed by radiation therapy. My PSA has fluctuated between 0.2 to 0 .5 but is back down now to 0.22. Thank God for modern medicine, a great surgeon and a really smart nurse practitioner who monitors me every 6 months. There is hope my friend!
Hey Joe! Thanks for sharing this. It is so important that guys like us do this, so thank you. Similar to you I had mine spread to my nodes but also have it in my bones. A tad younger at 49 with a higher PSA 575. Like they say, "You don't want cancer...but this is the cancer to have and now is the best time to have it." #Anythingispossible
I am a couple of months into my journey with prostate cancer. Gleason 8, wide spread bone metastatic cancer. I’ve had an injured lumbar spine since my teens, and had episodes of periodic bouts of back pain. So when my back started playing up it was nothing really surprising, except that the pain kept increasing to a level not met since the original injury 50 odd years ago. Eventually got a appointment with the gp who arranged a mri, and that’s when things kicked off. After the initial scan, I left the room only to be called back and put through the machine again. Following that I was wheeled to a ward by the radiologist who said I’d be sorted out by on the ward. Eventually a nurse came round saying the oncologist would be with me shortly. I remember thinking to myself did she say oncologists? No, can’t be. But it was. So I was told I had widespread bone cancer but no sign of a primary source. There followed a pet scan and X-rays of my hips and femurs. Blood was taken and I was sent home after being told I’d be called back in for a bone biopsy to identify the source. So I spent that evening wondering what cancer I had. I received a call the next morning informing they found a psa of 2600, indicating that the primary was a prostate cancer. I was asked to attend urology for prostate biopsy. My experience of the procedure was pretty good, for what was done to me. The procedure was explained, and I was asked to put on a gown and jock-strap. I was then introduced to the birthing chair, and after a quick positioning the area around my butt-hole was cleaned up. With little warning the docs finger was I up my bum. Not the best experience, but also little in the way of discomfort. Local Anaesthetic was injected mid-way between my butt-hole and scrotum. This area was where the tool entered that took the biopsy. The injection stung a little, and I can’t say I felt any pain at all from the tool. A ultrasound probe was inserted up my poor backside, but again no pain, just a little discomfort. All over in 10 minutes, given tea and biscuits, first load up of hormone injection, all the while waiting impatiently to pee. Eventually my bladder cooperated and my pee was as clear as a bell and was sent home. If my experience is anything to go by, this procedure is a doddle, just get her done. I was told I may pass a little blood when peeing and that’s what happened, just the once. So to my plan, injections and pill to reduce testosterone. Infusion to increase bone density, a pill to flush out excess calcium from deceased bone, radiotherapy and chemo. What an adventure. Should be a blast! About 6 to 8 years ago I got symptoms of an enlarged prostate; broken stream, dribbling, etc. my gp checked my pee and did a finger exam of the prostate. He did offer a psa test but advised it often produced a false positive, and would lead to a needless and painful biopsy - so I didn’t. Probably a decision that has drastically reduced my life. Moral of the story. If you are aged 60 and over, wether or not you are showing symptoms, insist on regular prostate checks and blood check psa. It could save your life. Good luck everyone fighting this decease
Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you well. I too was diagnosed with PC and had the gland removed by robotic assisted surgery. You say that men aged 60 and over should get themselves checked, I would strong advise to start the PSA dosing at 45. Look as those numbers ==>> Although only about 1 in 456 men under age 50 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 54 for ages 50 to 59, 1 in 19 for ages 60 to 69, and 1 in 11 for men 70 and older. Nearly 60% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65. It doesn't mean all these cancers will be aggressive and will need treatment but it is a must to check early.
@ those figures are disturbing, and would certainly support an early start to scanning for the presence of pc. I’m not sure if there will be the appetite amongst the medical profession to provide this service? Thank you for taking the time to respond and share your experience with pc. Wishing you the very best for a speeding and lasting recovery.
@ Ontaining a scan is not that easy, unless you can or are willing to pay for it. From experience I know that they will do it only after there is a strong possibility of a metastatic condition. However I'm shocked when I hear that some MD's don't do a systematic PSA dosing starting at 50 years of age. In some countries the limit was lowered to 45. It is not expensive nor invasive. Yes an elevated PSA will not always mean there is a cancer. There are cases when the PSA level is normal even in the presence of a PC. It has been the norm for females to consult a gynaecologist yearly, however us men don't do that for our genital apparatus. Yes the DRE is unpleasant but by far easier to take that the news of a stage 4 PC. Go get checked gents !
I’m almost positive they use the incision method when using the robot. I may be finding out soon enough . My PSA was 8.4 but my Gleason score was 4+5 . I’m going for a PSMA shortly.
Had a TURPS procedure 15monrhs ago for urine retention brought on by an enlarged prostate. My fault had all the symptoms. Constantly peeing and I’m like it’s old age. So stupid. I’m now going for a PSA test next week because I’ve started peeing all the time again. I’m coming up for 69 years but please if you start peeing a lot more than normal please go and get it checked out. Theirs medication to shrink the prostate and you would avoid one of the worst experiences in your life. The CATHETER. Totally sympathise with everyone who has experienced this. Health is wealth.
Joe, excellent post. Same here, diagnosed spring of 2023, opted for a radical prostatectomy. Worked out well, no detectable PSA readings, but will get intensive PSA tests 4 times this year, thereafter annually. Prayers for you and thanks again.
Great video Joe - love the inclusion of some humour. I’m 66 and also am recently diagnosed with prostate cancer which has spread outside of the prostate but have had a roundabout diagnosis. Starting over 2 months ago I was not feeling very well. I had mainly gastric issues and some pain in my right side which was not usual for me. I visited my GP who did standard tests and bloods and waited for the results. 3 days later I had to visit A&E because my right side pain had become excruciating, I could not sleep plus I was having difficulty breathing. I passed out in the waiting area and was admitted for 2 days. I was given blood thinning and intro venous antibiotics medication and had many tests including a CT scan, ultrasound scan, X-ray, ECG and bloods. All these tests frighteningly revealed 5 lesions on my ribs, 1 lesion in the liver and a PSA of 29. I was discharged and referred to Urology for an appointment. 3 weeks later I had my Urology appointment with my Consultant Dr. A. Zang. She gave me an internal examination revealing a hard enlarged prostate and stated that I had metastatic prostate cancer. My PSA was now 35 so during the appointment I was given 2 injections of Firmagon 1 dose to be repeated monthly and booked for a confirmation prostate biopsy in 2 weeks (which I had yesterday) and a full bone scan to follow 2 days later (tomorrow). The actual biopsy (8 cores) was painless but inserting the ultrasound probe was awful which I told the 4 nurses after the procedure with one of them replying “it’s because you have a young man’s anus” to which I replied “does that mean I’m a heterosexual?) which produced a chuckle from one of the girls. Pre-biopsy my Consultant thinks that my PC staging is T3 with N1 M1 into the liver and bone from all the scans I’ve already had. It’s 2 weeks since my Firmagon treatment started and my right side rib pain has totally gone. Side effects are lumpy injection site, fatigue, muscle ache and sweats. I assume my PSA will be tested again before or at my next injection? I have also been placed on the list for the Artemis/Pro trial (Observational Study of Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Metastatic Hormone Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC) Treated With ADT plus Apalutamide or Enzalutamide Under Routine Clinical Practice (ArtemisPRO)) Although it is very early days with my treatment I am so grateful to our National Health Service which promptly tested me revealing the cancer. Apparently over the years the treatment of prostate cancer has evolved greatly with many existing and new treatments which can help. It seems that the first step is testosterone suppression hormone therapy such as Firmagon but after doing some research combined treatments - maybe 2 or even 3 treatments including Firmagon in unison - may produce better results? My main problem is the worry, fear and anxiety of it all. Also with the reorganization of my GP practice back in 2018 and then covid my yearly "well man" appointments stopped which might have flagged my PC at an earlier stage?
Hi Nigel. Sorry you are going through this as well. Absolutely right about the NHS they have been good to me so far. Bloody C19. I think a lot of us, if seen earlier, may have caught it before it had spread. ‘Young man’s anus .. Ha…I must have one too. Wishing you all the best and keep us updated, especially on your treatment and how it goes. Look after yourself and I would like to say Happy new year considering the shit situation we are all going through.
Keep posting please. As a 73 year old, I was diagnosed May 2024 with advanced metastatic prostate cancer with significant skeletal involvement. Was not in any organs or lymphatic system. A small amount of bone pain in the shoulder region sent me off for a bone scan to find I'm riddled. PSA 54. No biopsy of the prostate although I did have a bone biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. After scans, prostate was of normal size and shape. 6 rounds of Chemo (Docetaxel) along with ADT (hormone reduction therapy) consisting of 3 monthly injection of Zolodex and daily Darolutamide tablets has me now at a PSA of 0.02. Oncologist suggest the cancer is dormant. I still have my prostate. Has been a tough ride but worth it. Fight on fellow warriors.. p.s I'm in Australia.
I didn't have any of those problems with my biopsy. That sounds terrible. When we were done the Dr. asked if I was OK. I told him I'd had DREs that were worse. I did have some discomfort on the way home but, it passed in a couple of hours. My samples were taken rectally and was numbed up well. I had 12 samples with two having very small samples of more aggressive cancer for a 4+3. I had two PSA tests at 19+. I had mine removed and the surgeon was surprised at the amount of cancer. My after PSA was 0.09. Not bad but, not as good as could be so I'll have another test and radiation if anything shows up. I'm progressing pretty well and I'm glad I went the way I did. There are different ways to take care of it so keep on top of it and good luck.
Good man, very kind and brave of you to share your experiences. My younger brother has just been diagnosed with PC and I’ve had some mild symptoms, so you’ve helped me make my mind up to get a PSA test asap. Thank you so much and good luck with your journey.
I wish the best to you in your new journey. I choose a different path, stressing quality of life verses all these types of treatments. Many men such as us with this cancer opt for treatments and I applaud their decisions., as yours to move forward. My younger brother opted for treatments (different cancer/melanoma) and unfortunately they all failed and was painful to see him struggling to get by, let along those family members who were with him during this time. Each to his own…I’m blessed to have no issues, sleep all night, pee well, and at almost 72 still get a woody. I’m sure the day will come, but I’m blessed for all I have done that was planned for me and have enjoyed. May your journey meet all your expectations and do well. 🙏
I feel like you brother.. I'm 70 years old have APSA of 12.8. Add a buy up c hey m r I have pet scans. I feel like doing nothing also! I always ate healthy but I am eating healthy now. Juicing every morning. Eating steam tomatoes in the afternoon. Quit tapioca which I ate every day! Ha ha. I'm looking into breaky therapy. And I refused any hormone treatments. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
My friend has opted for the same treatment as you. No HT. But his PC was only present in the prostate. He seems to be doing fine and can still get involved in bedroom gymnastics with a little help with the blue pill.
Some encouraging news for you mate, my psa was 437, metastasis on my pelvic bone, incurable but manageable, been on Prostrap hormone therapy for coming on 5 years now, psa went immediately to 0.1 and has stayed there ever since. Your body will get used to the many side effects given a few months, which to be honest were not really all that bad to begin with. Keep as fit as you possibly can. Good luck.
Another Joe, age 71, USA. My PSA started to creep up in 2006 and went up to 4.8 and then went down the next year to 2.8. I went on hormone treatments in 2001 for nearly 5 years and had to quit that. I was on a local study program for prostate cancer. In the time on hormones, the PSA was well below 1. The libido returned very quickly after getting off of the hormones, but my PSA slowly crept up in that year. When it reached 7.2, I had my first biopsy. That showed nothing but inflammation in that area. I got the test through the arse and I had to pay through the arse. I then went to the VA (Veteran's Administration) for care after that because I qualified. They did two more biopsies and that third biopsy one showed a #4 in one of the samples in 2021. That last biopsy also caused a UTI which required an overnight stay in the hospital. The prostate was removed 3 months later due to delays as there is a doctor shortage in the VA system. Only one of the lymph nodes removed showed malignancy. A following PET scan showed nothing, however, the doctor interpreted that scan did mention the normal amount of gallstones for my age and the gynecomastia caused by the hormonal treatment. Psa after the operation was .19, now down to.10. Still being monitored with no meds needed, but some weeping into the piss pads. Keep fighting fellows!
This is a fantastic video. Thank you so much for documenting your journey. This is extremely valuable information you are dispensing and an incredible gift to those of battling prostate cancer. God Bless you and thank you !
Thank for your video Joe. Same storyline for myself. Age 79, asked my doctor for PSA check in 09/2022 as had been getting up at night for a pee - unusual for me. Doctor (female) said ‘. I don’t think that’s necessary as you usually get nothing conclusive - but come back to see me again if anything changes. Nothing changed, however a similar aged friend had been having kidney issues and thinking that may be my issue I booked a Man’s health check’ with the practice nurse in 09/2023. As this check involved blood tests I asked the nurse to do a PSA test at the same time - she agreed and also said PSA’s can give you nothing conclusive. My PSA came back at 310 and I’ve had virtually the same initial treatment. Gleason of 5+4 based upon 32 core samples from enlarged prostate, with metastases to whole bone skeleton, ribs etc. Started Chemotherapy last week ( felt crap) and now on Darolutamide ( a second generation treatment) to suppress and eliminate testosterone as best it can, plus the three monthly jab. PSA dropped to 4 after six weeks and prior to start of Chemo was down to .97.
Terrible that your doctor just brushed you off. It's a bloody simple test (PSA). It's a shame we cannot make them accountable. I tried once years ago on a different matter and the ombudsman said I had no case. Wishing you the best with your treatment.
Hello Joe, Thank You for Your Very Personal and at times humorous story. Have to admit i Lol'd, but as you say, if you'r not laughing you'd probably be crying. I work in a Hospital environment and while in no way qualified, in 25 years this is what i have learnt. NEVER GIVE UP HOPE. This to my mind is Paramount. My Wife Lorna doggedly refused to give in to metastatic breast cancer and i'm positive that attitude gave her more time. What you may be told may not necessarily happen as EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT PLAN OF ACTION, EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO THAT PLAN. Also, if anything that you are expecting to happen, consultation, scans, anything relating to your condition, etc is not happening then SHOUT. If anyone including your own Doctor or even Consultant is not listening to what you are saying, ditch them and find someone who will, IT IS YOUR RIGHT. I wish You the Best of Luck Joe, - i'm afraid sometimes it's down to just that but above all FIght It and Never Give Up.
Thanks Gary, glad I managed to make you laugh. You are absolutely right about having the right mental attitude. Thanks for the advice about 2nd opinions.
Thanks for that mate; first clear explanation of the process I've seen. Had a blood test just before Christmas and told by phone that my PSA was at 25, so just waiting for the letter re my scan. Been having the classic trouble urinating at night and also back pain and night sweats but not so bad lately. So preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Thanks again though and all the best to you.
You’re welcome Bernard. I had the back pain, but put it down to wear and tear from a previous career. Night sweats…. Nightmare!! I get them day and night. Best of luck with your next procedure. Keep us all updated. Let’s hope all of us a have a great New Year.
Diagnosed April this year, luckily organ confined, it hasn’t gone on tour. Absolutely no symptom before, still able to pee over a five bar gate, no night pee’s. Went to the doctor with another issue and casually mentioned that I wouldn’t mind a PSA test. At 73 he said they don’t recommend having that test, but he arranged one for me. Gleason 7, 4:3. When I saw the urologist he told me it was probably curable at my stage, but if I’d come to him 2 years later it would have been a different matter. I opted for ADT and radiotherapy, 20 fractions, came out of it pretty good (except for the hot flushes) Finished all of my treatment start to finish 6 months. Have my first blood test next week, results in January.🤞🏻🙏🏼 Good luck and best wishes on your journey🤞🏻.
@@Cervin_Suisse He’s an excellent GP, they’re not his words, that’s the general opinion in the medical world, when I requested a test he arranged one for me then made sure I got the best treatment immediately. I got my blood test results in January and was told I don’t need any more treatment and was discharged back to the urology clinic for future monitoring.
@@bartram33 happy for you that the outcome was positive. To hear that your medical world doesn't recommend a PSA dosage at 63 is frightening. The standard nowadays is to do regular checks starting at 50 and even 45 in some places. Best wishes for the future.
Thank you for sharing your journey so far. My husband has just decided on treatment (radiation) and he will also be doing the hormone therapy. He also plans to document his journey on youtube. I believe it will be cathartic for him and like you...he wants to encourage other men to have the proper checks and bloodwork regularly. Wishing you peace and light...cheers from Switzerland.
Hi Mary, I really hope his radiation treatment goes well. Great idea on him posting his journey. Let me know his channel, once set up, so I can subscribe. All the best from dull and drizzly England.
Like you, I did not have my PSA test for several years. Prior to getting checked in 2022 mine had been in the low 2's and upper 1's. My first PSA in over 6 years came back 5.7 and nine months later it was 7.7. I had a prostate MRI that showed probable prostate cancer, what they called a Prads 4. I then had a biopsy of 21 cores and I had scores of 4-3, 4-4 and 3-4 in about 7 cores. I forget how many exactly. My urologist started me on Eligard to drop my PSA and I had a consultation with the radiotion oncologist. This was in June of 2022. I then had CT's of my chest and pelvic regions with and without contrast, and a bone scan to see if there was any spread beyond the prostate. There was not. In September of 2022 I began Proton radiation therapy that lasted from September 8th to November 2, 5 days a week for a total of 39 treatments. I had my last 6 month injection of the testosterone blocker in June of 2023 and my last PSA in June 2023 was 0.02. I will have another in March 2024 and since the hormone blocker has begun to wear off the PSA at that time may show a slight rise. Then it will be every six months a repeat PSA test. Let me say learn as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can. Don't be afraid to ask the doctors. In additon there is a lot of info here on youtube. A good source is: It is an excellent source of information. Also sign up at the Mayo clinic website and select Prostate Cancer for a blog with a lot of good information. This is the link. connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=prostate+cancer Best of luck and God Bless You.
Great post and great name. I hope you haven’t got a statue of yourself anywhere, otherwise some will want to tear it down 😂. Wishing you best of luck with your journey.
Hi Joe , My suprise for my 60th was a psa count of 10 , went for biopsy and came back with a gleason score of 9 , had Brachy implants done , 35 days of external beam radiation and 24 months of Lupron , the count dropped to 0.02 and stayed there for 3.5 years , its started to climb and over the last year its at 0.06 so now its the wait and see game , if it stays under 1 then its fine , thanks for sharing your story
The friend who told me to get checked out is going through a similar path to you. I will pass this comment to him to give him some hope. Thanks for sharing and have a great new year.
God bless Joe, and stay strong. You appear to have a positive mental attitude which goes a long way, perhaps more than we know. I didn't get on with the bicalutimide, it flattens PSA numbers alright but it messes with your head. All the best.
Hey Joe, thanks so much for sharing. I've been monitoring mine for a number of years myself and had a PSA of 11 at one point but now it's dropped back down with no explanation. I had a biopsy done 5 years ago but they want to do another one now so getting ready to clinch my teeth and bear it. Please keep us posted and Godspeed
That's great it dropped down, bad you are getting the finger. Hopefully, it will come back as clear. If so share your secret. I have posted a follow up vid, if you haven't seen it. Fingers crossed for you my friend.
I was very surprised that you have not followed thru. I am 74 and I had my PSA check on annual examine since 60, My PSA went up to 8.4 in 2022 from 3.1 in 2020, and 5.7 in 2021. My urologist took a biopsy and showed 85% cancer in my prostrate. I took a complete body and bone scan the follwoing week. It showed cancer was within prostate. I had ADT (anti-hormone - every 6 months) shot , and was in radiation treatment 2 weeks later for 45 sessions. It ended in Feb 2023. Last ADT Feb 2023. MY PSA tset every 6 months since showed no zero. It is extrememly important to have timely treatment. Cancer is very deadly. Radiaion is better than surgery and without side effects. I knew poeple had surgery and still went thru radiation beecause surgery didn't work. NOTE: I had wokrout in t he gym, for over 56 years, and my oncologist crredited my workout ennergy for cancer recovery.
I've had the full bloods and general health check every year since I turned 40, to keep ahead of the curve. I have never had the slightest sign of prostate problems - urine flow like a young man's and no waking up at night. This year my PSA Gleeson score was 10. I did the MIR, biopsy and PET scan and have grade 5 prostate cancer. It doesn't seem to have spread but... As I came to the urologist's office for the first time, I handed them the referral from my GP. The lady said, "We don't need it as we have already received an electronic copy." I was on the point of tossing it in the bin when I thought I'd read it to see what he said. He said my Gleeson score was 6.1 the year before. I was outraged. That previous year was his first year as my GP. He had the blood result and never told me it was in the red zone (in Australia all GS above 5 should be investigated - in the US I think it's 4). He had also given me a digital examination and said, "Your prostate is like an apricot." I asked, "Is that a good or bad thing?" He said, "It is a very good thing. Prostates can be like an apricot, an apple or a grapefruit. Yours is still small and soft like a young man's." I was flattered but not overly surprised because I have always been ultra fit, never drunk alcohol, never smoked, never had a weight problem - the 4 key factors. And I have maintained prostate health in other ways - high intake of tomatoes and lentils, vegetarian frequent ejaculations etc. I decided to take legal action. My lawyer said we would need expert medical-legal opinion. The expert said, I don't just have cause of action against this doctor but against my previous doctor, because with a level 3.1 at age 63 and with my level of health it was indicated in 2020, 3.8 in 2021 was a significant jump and cause for alarm. So the bottom line is that, through medical negligence, I have been living with prostate cancer for at least 4 years. The cancer has evolved into the deadliest type and spread throughout my prostate. It would be pure luck if it hadn't yet spread elsewhere - one cell will do, but the PET scan can only pick up concentrations of 2mm or more. Because of my personal situation, I found this diagnosis devastating. I spent 3 months in deep depression, crying and losing my ability to concentrate. I'm better than that now but still would be happy simply to die. Incidentally nobody told me that after the biopsy I would have fully blood orgasms for the next 6 weeks - nothing else. And it was old blood, dark but very fluid. The first time I was horrified. Fortunately it was a solo effort. Some advice for fellow victims: do not have your prostate removed. I know nobody who has had this who ever again was able to have penetrative sex. Radiation is safest and should be given as a dual therapy - brachytherapy inside the prostate as a "boost" and external beam radiation to clean up surrounding areas which typically get infected - the seminal vessels and lymph nodes. The reason for this is because, when radiation fails, it is normally inside the prostate. The Androgen Depravation Therapy (ADT, aka chemical castration) which they give alongside radiation but not surgery (another problem with surgery because the risks are greater) is nasty stuff with catastrophic permanent side effects if you take it for 2 or so years. But as short-term measure it is the best of the old-style medications. There are a number of alternatives although these are not typically given in the initial treatment, except for people like our friend Delta 40 here, who have strongly metastasised cancer. The best of them is Dialuramide. It stops the cancer cell from taking the testosterone into its nucleus and turns on cell aging in the cancer cell, so it will die. If you use it in conjunction with Abiraterone, you not only turn off testosterone produced in the adrenal glands but also suppression of the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which is, I think, 6 times more potent in fueling prostate cancer cells. There is a new wonder treatment based on the PET scan technology where they attach a potent nuclear charge to the PET molecule instead of a mild one just for scanning purposes. The PET molecule binds to the prostate cancer cell's PSMA receptor, which thinks it is testosterone. The proximity of the nuclear charge kills the cell and nearby cells in the same way as other radiation but it only settles on prostate and prostate cancer (and unfortunately saliva) cells. With a half-life of 3 hours and a narrow focus of radiation, Lutetium-177 can't do the harm that typical radiation does. This seems the perfect first attack vector for Delta 40. In some countries they are trialing another radioactive molecule, Actium (I forget the isotope's number). It is much more potent than Lutetium-177 but has a tiny radius of action. Unfortunately it has a half-life of 3 or so weeks. They are also trialing administering chemotherapy via the PET molecule - it would only impact the target area and not have the terrible impact chemo normally has. And there are other things - in the last year or so they have worked out that a combination of PARP inhibitor drugs and immunotherapy drugs massively improves the effectiveness of immunotherapy... the world of prostate cancer treatments is nothing like what it was 5 years ago and will be completely different once the new technologies have settled down, doses perfected. There are 3 things you can do to fight prostate cancer naturally: boost your immune system, reduce your body's tendency to inflammation and starve the cancer. Diet is a great way of achieving all three. Eat lots of cruciferous vegetables (things like broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts) plus a good spectrum of vegetable colours (!), no red meat or eggs or milk (avoid any animal products if possible), avoid sugars and wheat and white rice and corn (especially corn syrup which is an additive to most processed foods) and potatoes (but sweet potatoes are good), avoid alcohol and of course smoking. Take tumeric in its natural form (not boosted as a pharmaceutical product) with black pepper. Other additives Omega 3 (but never with Omega 6 - avoid all Omega 6 fish), avoid zinc - prostate cancer loves it. Take probiotics and anything you can to boost your gut bacteria.
Red meat doesn't cause prostate cancer. Cancer cells need glucose to survive (Warburg effect). Blood sugar fluctuations and insulin spikes are the enemy of the prostate, not red meat.
@@TommasoPaba From what I got on AI is higher zinc uptake can protect cancer. Prostate cancer has lower levels of zinc than normal prostate so some zinc may help kill the cancer but higher levels may then protect it. So probably zinc foods like pumpkin seeds will give enough but not too much. Moderation is key.
Hi mate....really pleased you are sharing your experience with others..I was the typical bloke, afraid to go and see the doc, I am now 63 years old. In Jan 2022 I went to the hospital with a pain in my chest, I also have a heart condition, I was sent for a x-ray. They noticed some shadows on my ribs and spine, I was then sent for a CT scan. At this stage it meant nothing to me. The results of the CT scan showed I was in advanced stage 4 of prostate cancer. I was told the same day that I was terminal with not long to live, imminent was the word they used. However they started me on Hormone treatment which immediately lowered my PSA level. It is now 3 years down the line and still here, only just. In the last month or two it has really taken a huge toll on me and looks like I'm starting to lose the battle now. A good wife and 10 kids are going to lose me soon. All I can say as you have said is guys go and get checked out at the very first sign. Good luck mate with your treatment.
Great insight and thanks for the boot neck humour. I had my MRI last Monday and I’ve a biopsy booked in 5 days. Had a routine company medical in July. PSA 9.5 is had no symptoms and had been cycling the day before. I’m aware of the false high reading so wasn’t bothered. Anyway, in mid Jan mentioned it at my health centre. Within 3 days I found out my PSA had increased and the GP called me in immediately for an examination. MRI followed within a week. Biopsy next. Keep your chin up mate 🕺🏼
Stay positive and keep your sense of humour. I was diagnosed 2 and a half years ago. Stage 4 Gleason score 8. 30 radiation treatments and then hormone therapy every 3 months. Last one next month, then monitor every 3 months with a PSA test. Biggest ongoing issue has been fatigue. I live in Thailand, was diagnosed at the beginning of Covid and couldn’t travel back to Perth Australia for what I assumed would be better treatment. I was wrong as I have seen a top urologist here in Perth who confirmed treatment is top notch and currently successful. Heading “home” next week to prepare for the final shot. (I hope) will follow your journey. Take care.
@@FBICPS My treatment has been with a urologist attached to the Bangkok hospital in Udonthani. From the beginning she first consulted with a couple of urology professors in Bangkok who reviewed all my medical data. MRI, biopsy etc before agreeing on a course of treatment. My PSA at diagnosis was 8.4, currently 0.06. I feel positive and the Perth urologist reviewing my treatment has confirmed I am on the right track. He has ordered a DEXA body composition scan (tomorrow) just to see how my body is progressing. Good luck.
3 things u need to do asap. This is not to be taken as medical advice and I'm not a doctor, I have just done tons of investigation into the c issue and it's identical to the plandemic in my view with all the safe and effective advice from medical community who do not actually know what cancer is or how to cure it. My partner for it now, the below is my advice to her. 1. Get yourself on heavy deworming meds... ivermectin is great twice a day. We are all at different levels of parasitic infestation and doctors all ignore this, but parasites are a big cause of many health issues including c, inflammation, hormone issues and all sorts of sickness. Not saying yours in specific to this but it's a bloody good place to start with minimal downside. Bonus, Ivermectin, fenbendazol are cheap and from what I understand theres very limited downside trying this on a short term. I would say consult your Dr but I'm sure he doesn't want to lose a customer. 2. Diseases thrive in an acidic environment, drink glass of water with 1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda X 4 daily. Space that out evenly from when you wake till bedtime. Yes chemo has baking soda as part of the treatment....I don't see them talking about that much...wonder why😮 Bonus, this is incredibly cheap and again relatively safe in the short term. 3. Gherson juicing diet or other high nutrient natural real food diet mixed with water fasting. Great way to jump start immune system and give your body the fuel to do the repair work. Bonus, food may cost a bit but traditional c treatment is 100x more expensive with very limited success. I told my partner to trust her instinct and bet on herself,.besides can she really trust the safe and effective crew who just tried to F the global population with poison. Now I must trust their advice to save my life. Please research and read between the lines people when you see contradictory information. I trust myself first and poison injec. community last. You are blessed, you are loved! Let me know how it goes.
Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed your sense of humour as well. I also a 4+3 and headed for the robotic this Friday. Hope your keeping well and your spirits are high. Cheers.
Thank Joe! 63 years young, just got my PSA of 5.7 going in for the MRI if it’s bad news I want to do the targeted “Transperinem “vs the Trans rectal standard biopsy. Really appreciate you sharing your experience very informative and helpful! 🙏 my prayers are with you Brother!
Transperineal biopsy is safer with regards to the risk of infection, as the needles don't go thru the rectum. Other than that, to my understanding it is pretty much identical. Normally they do some random sampling in addition to the targeted. Strongly recommended.
Hello Joe, Thank you for your straight-up honesty, humour and no B.S. explanation of your journey thus far. I am very sorry to hear you were diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am an 18-year survivor. I was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 49 with a Gleason score of 7 (3+4) and a PSA of 4.1. I had a prostatectomy (complete removal) in 2005, and then after the cancer recurred years later, as indicated by a subsequent PSA rise, I underwent 8 weeks of salvage radiation therapy (SRT) in 2016. All was good for a while, but the PSA started rising again in 2022. It has not reached the level of biochemical recurrence (BCR) yet. Please keep us posted on your journey. Best of health to you.
Thank you Fred. Sorry to hear that your PSA is rising. You would have thought, by having the prostate removed that would have been the end of your misery. Then again I’m no medical expert. I really hope that you are being closely monitored and you are living a good life, albeit without a prostate. Take care my friend.
@@delta-40 Joe, yes one would believe that having the prostate removed and having negative surgical margins would have rendered me free of this ordeal. But, alas, mother nature never fails to surprise us...good or bad.
@@srussell31a very good question, indeed. So, this even had my doctors stumped because I had negative surgical margins and therefore no cancer should have existed outside of the prostate. One of my doctors speculated that microscopic cancer cells may have escaped the prostate prior to my prostatectomy. Another doctor on my medical team speculated that the prostate pathology report was most likely in error and perhaps I did have positive surgical margins. Who knows? In any event, it has come back twice.
@@freds5335 I don't know you, but I am a man too and I feel so much empathy for you. I recently learned from a TH-cam urology channel that biopsies can be the cause of spreading a localized prostate cancer because they "seed" the cancer during retraction. An MRI scan is all that is needed to detect prostate cancer. It can then be treated with targetted energy that disrupts the actual leasions while leaving the surrounding areas unaffected. I had a PSA score of 4.91 last October, then another score of 3.74 two weeks later. But the PSA test does not diagnose and has a 70% false positive history and a 20% false negative history. I'm going to have an MRI scan along with a PSE test (Prostate Screening Episwitch). The PSE is a urinalysis test. I also was not instructed on how to get an accurate PSA score such as no strenuous exercise, no ejaculating several days before, and not consuming the extra biotin that I take for hair loss. I was also ill when my PSA was taken and any inflamation anywhere in the body can produce a faulty PSA score. But in America, patients are treated more like customers to be harvested than actual humans needing treatment. I know there is nothing I can say or do to make you feel better except to offer my empathy so that hopefully you won't feel alone in your struggle! I sincerely hope they can rid you of this disease!!!!!
Joe thx for sharing. I was diagnosed in 2018 with stage IV prostate CA with Mets to pelvic lymph nodes & L rib. I received a prostatectomy & pelvic/thoracic radiation. Then I'm on Eligard injection every 6 month, Zytiga 1 gm daily, prednisone, calcium, vit D & K2 since. Good luck my friend. KZ
Joe thank you for posting about your journey and what to expect. I know you will beat this cancer from your attitude! Stay positive and keep us updated. God bless you my friend!! 🙏🙏🙏
An interesting but different journey. I am 70 yo and now 4 months post-prostatectomy. My Gleason score was 4+4 but the PET-MRI and pathology showed no spread and what is called a +ve margin in relation to containment of cancer within the prostate. I have just had my first follow-up PSA test and it was undetectable. Of course I now live with the anxiety of every follow-up PSA test. The actual operation was not painful after 2-3 days, although managing the catheter and bag for a couple of weeks was a hassle - especially moving in bed at night and avoiding crimping or blocking the tube to the bag. Catheter removal was briefly uncomfortable but not painful. The main issue over the last 4 months has been urinary incontinence. At first there was almost no control but this has gradually improved, albeit with good and bad days and the occasional accident. There are lots of articles and vlogs on this subject but they do not go into the details of how to use pads, clamps etc in a detailed and integrated manner. Aside from Kegel exercises there are lots of little tricks I have gradually learned to minimise leakage. Anyway, I look forward to following your journey. Thanks for sharing it.
This is why surgeons should be using amniotic membranes on the bundles during surgery. But unfortunately the health care system doesn’t always make this possible.
@@michaelconcato1675 I had not heard of this NVB protection technique in surgery for improving post-op continence. I know about it now but it is too late for me to benefit. Thanks for raising the issue, however. Hopefully it will be standard practice at some point in time.
My story is similar to yours, same symptoms. Started October 2022, PSA was 99 originally but after hormone treatment is down to 1.8, my Gleason score was 4+3. The doctors decided on radiotherapy treatment, however this was delayed as when the MRI was done the found a polyp in my colon/rectum which was Cancerous so has about 10 inches of the large bowel removed in August 2023. I'm due to start radiotherapy now in March 2024. I'm 58 by the way. Thanks, for putting this video up, I enjoyed your whitty comments as well, we have to laugh sometimes. More men need to be aware of prostate cancer.
Thanks for your post Will and good luck with the radiotherapy. I will post an update on my hormone therapy soon and will try to get some humour in there for you. Keep us updated on your treatment and Happy New Year.
Thank you Joe so much for your advice , I’ve just started this journey .. and yes you have to find humour over crying , post what ever you can Joe , all is appreciated 👍👍
Thank you for such an excellent video, Joe, it was very informative and well presented. I wish you all the very best for a swift recovery. Take care, mate. 👍
I had to smile at your observations in regard to the digit exploration. I had the weak stream experience 2013/14 age 63 (peeing down catheter towards the end) with a Trans-Urethral- Resection Procedure (a rebore) through the prostate in 2014. My Gleason score then slowly rose until 2018, when it hit 7 and, after all the scans, biopsies and probes, I had brachytherapy (nuclear weaponry placed in prostate). Five years on and I have developed pain and super-sensitivity in my bladder (just had a cystoscopy to check nothing exciting going on) - the pain is apparently a side effect of the weapons and I have to live with it (not mentioned at the time and most local GPs were determined it had to be a UTI or imagination). Over the years one develops a certain nonchalance to things being stuck up the rear end. However, I still exist and PSA level remains low. Good luck and trust the science!
I am glad I happened upon your video. I too am going through this situation at the moment. I am 71, and went for my yearly PSA in early December 2023. I have always been 1.0 to 2.0 for years. But this one came back 11.0. So my urologist who always has told me I have a naturally enlarged prostate, had me take antibiotics and retest in a month. So I did that and my PSA was then 14.0. Next he said to get a MRI of my prostate. Of course the earliest it could be scheduled was a month and a half ahead, next time for urologist 2 weeks after my MRI. The MRI showed I do have cancer in a 2 parts of my prostate but said it doesn't seem like it has traveled out yet. The tough part is waiting another 2 weeks to hear what the doctor has to say! I called and asked if the doctor could call me to give me a basic heads up but his scheduler/possibly nurse called and said we don't talk about this over the phone and I would just have wait for my appointment. You know, It the space of time between each step that can make you dishearten with the healthcare system. But I know there are many more seeking treatments with not enough healthcare professional to cover the load. I am very healthy, regularly exercise by walking 5k 3x a week. I keep my weigh down by intermittent fasting, and and daily take some herbs that allegedly promote a health prostate. Such as Turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, ceylon cinnamon, black pepper, along with apple cider vinegar, good quality extra virgin olive oil, and pink salt among a few other things . My high blood pressure I have no more. But here I am like you, facing this situation. I don't relish this biopsy stuff that could come to past. But I would say I am just standing behind you in line for treatment. Let us hope for us both the best I guess!!
You’re right about the waiting Eric. Hope it is just confined to the gland with no spread. I have actually been taking a little concoction of herbs etc that I make into a drink, some of which you mention. Early days but will see how it goes. Wishing you all the best and keep us updated.
Hi Eric Tim here I am turning 80 this year and my PSA has increased from 7,5 to 24 over the past 5 years. I check my PSA every 6- 8 weeks and have had 4 MRIs and a pet scan to see if my 2 tumours 12mm and 6 mm have grown and not metastasised. I am getting to the stage where I will have to have a biopsy to see what I am dealing with. I take Fenbendazole and Ivermectin every day and these have helped ( see joe tippens) I also take much of what you take. I also walk / run every day about 3 klms. My PSA came down to 17.4 in November and I was really expecting about 15. I had it taken 3 weeks ago and 24 was very disappointing. I will have it done again in a week and see if this was an odd reading. I am so loathe to have needles poked into my prostate. New data is constantly been published and I’d prefer the least invasive like focal therapy As long as it’s contained with a definite border I’d rather wait and watch until something is discovered that is of more interest to me. I like Professor Thomas Seefried with his approach but I can’t afford to lose more weight.
Hi , good info thanks, I am almost 72 , went to request psa test just over 4 years ago, had the finger test and doc said I don't need one , just prostrate enlarged , normal for my age, I was having low flow and weeing 3 times in the night. September 23 lots on TV again re prostrate and my wife insisted I demand a psa test , this came back at 6.8 , I was sent for mri , follow visit I was told 60%sure it was cancer and would need biopsy, which confirmed gleeson 3+3 cancer stage T3a . I had a week to decide on treatment ie radiation or prostatectomy, I had my prostrate removed 2nd Feb 24 , 4 week and 1 day ago. Just finished blood clotting injections and doing pretty well , no pain and negligible weeing accidents, just hoping for psa 0 in the next few weeks . Take care and good luck , ken Leeds.keep up the videos.
Glad you are recovering well after your surgery Ken. Strange how different places/consultants have varied methods. I was 4+3 and was not given any options, just what I covered in the first and second videos. Keep us updated on how you are getting on please.
"He's not text me..... not sent a birthday card"..........🤣🤣🤣 Absolutely love your humour Joe. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I'm 61 and started my journey after Christmas at the docs with his trusty finger! He confirmed enlarged prostate, blood test showed PSA 9.5. Had the MRI within 7 days which showed, prostate volume of 77cc, PI-RADS 4 nodule at the interior midline at the apical level [whatever that means]. Had the biopsy earlier this week and now waiting for the results.............
Thanks for your comment. Good luck with your results. Hope they are in your favour. I did another vid on my treatment after the dreaded biopsy. Along with side effects. Might be worth a look if not already done, just to give you a heads up. Keep us updated my friend. As I have said previously, it's good to talk, especially with others, that have unfortunately joined this club.
Thanks for your honest and courageous testimony. You are a fighter 💪🏻 (obviously 😉) i am sure you will beat this PC, in full tactical commando operation style: Search / Destroy / retreat to safety. I wish you fortitude and maximum resilience. 🙏🏻
Hi Joe, going in for biopsy in a month after mri showed a suspicious growth and was told out of 0 to 5 for cancer mine was 4 , im 58 and was keeping up with PSA checks but some things we cant control i guess, thanks for your post it is good to see you talk about your journey and help with awareness of this , stay strong and keep posting ! i'm confident we live in age where we have the best help available and stand the best chance of living a long cancer free life . Thanks mark .
Thank you very much for sharing this. Very kind of you as it will save lives and help reduce anxiety for many who are going through this ordeal, including family member.Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your story Joe. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2023 (Gleason 3 + 4), I’ve had hormone therapy, brachytherapy, and radiotherapy which finished at the end of October. Still waiting for my first PSA test and follow up appointment. I would be interested to hear your opinion on the effects of hormone therapy, as I don’t think that they are explained well enough before starting treatment. Four months since my last hormone injection and my libido is still zero. Looking forward to the next video.
Thank you for sharing too. We both got diagnosed with the lurgi at the same time. I wonder how long before that did it started growing and spreading in my case. Glad you have had treatment and I wouldn’t be surprised if you have a very low PSA. I will be posting my second video soon and will cover what you requested. Wishing you all the best my friend.
I had my prostate out 2010 I,m now 70. I wish I could say I,m back to normal, I,m still here fighting on. you have my sense of humour, hang in there mate and good luck.
@@pauldallimore8062 56 and prostate removed, sorry to hear that Paul. But you’re still here, which is the main thing. I will do my best to make the next vid funny, if I can.
Had an enlarged prostate for ages now. Then started to lose weight unexpectedly, and as soon as I reported that to my Dr a button was pressed somewhere and the next thing I knew it was urology test, PSA test showing slightly elevated readings, MRI scan and Prostate Biopsy. Never had any of that before.I had feelings of dread waiting for the results. Convinced it would be bad news, but then the surgery called when I was walking down the road and its all clear. COULD HAVE HUGGED the first person on the street. Its such a relief. But its taught me how important it is to have that MOT test, no matter how uncomfortable you feel about it.
@@jenningsfamilyvlogs3342 Not entirely sure. My wife reckons it was possibly an aftereffect of a 1 week stay up in Scotland when we did a bit of walking and a change of food. But that was over 3 months ago and I lost over 10kg which was unprecedented, noticeable and a bit concerning. Could also have been a minor change in diet…drinking less fruit juice. But whatever it was I’ve regained a bit of that lost weight (3-4 kg) and my Dr is a bit happier. But been advised to have another PSA check in 3 months.
I appreciate your video since your path is similar to mine. PSA 10.5, 4+3 Gleason, PS Pet Scan shows 2 sub CM nodules on left lower iliac lymph nodes , some 'giz sack' involvement, and 63mm prostate. I got opinions from 2 urologists and both said radiation is best form me. I got a 6 month injection of Eligard HDT and a 90 day supply of bicalutamide to stop testosterone surge. I see a radiologist and oncologist tomorrow. I switched to the second urologist I saw after getting the biopsy, pet scan and shot under the initial urologist. I did this after discovering the first urologist no longer includes prostate cancer under his areas of expertise. One thing to be aware of is that there are treatments to prevent the colon from getting burned when the prostate is radiated. My urologist is going to inject a gel between the prostate and colon, which is becoming a standard practice. I learned that burns on the colon wall are permanent and painful for life, so why risk it? My new urologist said prostate cancer is now highly treatable and new treatments continue to come out. He likened it to the breakthroughs that stopped deaths from Aids and pointed to Magic Johnson surviving 20 years now. I too missed the warning signs. My PSA was 4 in 2019, 5 in 2021 and 10.5 three months ago. It was only the last small town doctor that called me about my PSA and demanded I see a urologist ASAP. I owe my life to him and my daughter. My daughter knew how stubborn I was about seeing doctors and called me every day for a month until I finally gave in. At 73, I thought I had an enlarged prostate, but no problem, I can deal with it later, Was a sobering experience, literally. I have cut all liquor, stopped vaping, eating better and will start an exorcise program at a local gym. I feel dumb, mad and blessed. Dumb for not fully understanding PSA, mad doctors did not alert me, and blessed that my daughter was looking out for me. Good luck bud.
Hi Terrance, thank you for posting. It’s like we’re brothas from different mothas. We are very similar indeed. Good call on changing urologist. Will have to remember about the gel. You say it’s standard practice, not sure where you are but I’m UK based. Hope that applies here. Maybe someone on here, getting NHS treatment can confirm. Wishing you all the best and keep us all updated.
Hi Joe, Google SpaceOar gel. My urologist is going to use a different brand though. The urologist said he is also going to place 3 tiny gold beads in my prostate to help the radiologist direct the radiation. It's like needing 3 satellites for pinpoint transmission. I'll let you know how my meeting goes with my urologist today. I'm going to tell him to throw everything he has at this.
Hi Joe, I had my initial meetings today with my radiologist and oncologist. The radiologist said the spacer gel is a nice to have, but not to worry if it my insurance does not pay for it because 50% of his patients get treatment without it and do just fine. He also told me not to worry about not starting treatment for a few weeks because the HDT shot has arrested any spread. He said in the past radiation was delayed for 3 month after the shot. I'll be getting 6+ weeks of radiation 5 days a week. The oncologist said I should stop taking the drug that stops testosterone flare in in a couple weeks. He is going to put me on another drug called Abiraterone which combined with the HDT shot will increase my 10-15 year survival odds by 10%. The main side side effect is liver damage, but he is going to give me a steroid pill to diminish the effects and monitor my liver periodically via blood tests. I said OK with me...throw everything you can at it. I asked about new breakthroughs in targeted kemo and said promising treatments are advancing fast. I know someone that had it all over in his his bones and only found out when he was experiencing back pains. He a a new kemo therapy and is now cancer free. He claims his oncologist saved his life. I had a penile implant in 2019 so I don't need to worry about ED from the treatments. My problem now is that I don't have the desire to use it. The best, Terry from Minnesota - You betcha!
Hi again Terry, thanks for the prompt update. Definitely being well looked after by your new urologist. Let’s hope the cancer breakthroughs come through thick and fast. Totally agree about the lack of desire. I hope your radiation treatment goes well. Look after yourself my friend.
Hi Joe, Good video, well down to earth mate. Yes, I am with you on this journey. Just 3 weeks since I was diagnosed. Seems to be earlyish with a Gleeson 3+4=7. Now looking at treatments available. At 62 YO, not a great time of age to become incontinent and to have erectile dysfunction, so I may be swayed to go down the RT route rather than surgery. Will keep looking back; these videos are really useful. Does anyone reading this know of a very useful Q&A site for sufferers? Thanks Ross
Thanks Ross. Sorry you are going through this also. ED and bladder issues not nice. Wishing you all the best. Hopefully someone will respond to last Q&A question.
Thank you for sharing. I have similar waterworks issues and was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate several years ago. I haven't had my psa levels checked for years but will do so now. I wish you a full recovery.
Thanks Mike, and good you are getting it checked. Fingers crossed it is only still enlarged. Out of interest what meds are you on for waterworks and do they work for you?
@@delta-40 Hi Joe, I don't take anything for the waterworks but like you, I have an underactive thyroid so take a thyroxene tablet every day. The night time visits are not bothersome to be honest - usually one visit in the early hours but the stream is very slow especially at night. Blokes eh :)! Wish you well mate.
Not sure if you watched vid 2, I presume you have as you mention thyroid. Should you ever go down the HT or Apalutamide route, keep an eye on the thyroid buddy. It can cause it to be even more underactive. Take care
Joe, you made me laugh. your sense of humour terrific. On a serious side, with todays new drugs and the start of the 3rd generation of drugs for prostate, like lititium 117, which is really a very progressive prostate cancer drug. binds to cancer cell, digs it way in and kill the cell with the radioactive lutitium. anyways, like my oncol said to me, you are not dying yet. i was 74 and i asked her if she can arrange with whatever deity she recognizes that i hang around until 85, she promised me i would be around. well, i started with Gleeson at a high of 7.3 at its worst when it came back in one corner of my prostate . i had irradiation. (brachy, i think) Diagnosed with 3+4 and 4+3) they zapped it out in 10 minutes and i went home, thinking I was going to be 100%, A bone scan showed a year later on a rib, i had 1 lesion, zapped out and that was 2 years ago next month. Since then, nothing shows. i am due for a bone scan in 8 days . I feel fine. the sweats get to me, but last a minute or so. will be 82 in a few months, so getting to 85 seems like a hopeful bet. like most guys, we follow the latest news. On TH-cam, there is this woman who interviews this doc who is prostate cancer specialist . he explains everything out there. that is my story. one day it will be conquered. i am positive about that.
What a great post Peter. You are definitely a fighter and whoever is dealing with you is doing a terrific job. Just out of interest where are you in the world and where are you being treated. I’m sure you have given us all a bit of hope.
Fighter? if only that were true. I come from a family of doctors. My nephew was the first one i called after I got my initial results as to what to do, surgery or radiation?. I know a fair amount about that ( another story) so i went the Brachy way .. we are close. he said if there was any cancer that can be cured, prostate is one of the two. i was given Erleada ( got into a program , a study) and stayed with it for about a year. found it weakened me. anemia got pretty bad and went off it with onco's o/k. next day, i felt like superman. one night off it and the result was amazing for me.. I dont think about it much. At my age, I see to much and I always was a fatalist. Everything is luck anyways, you find out when you get old. to be honest ,I thought I would have to go back on the Erleada. my onco doctor said" you are past that. not needed" . "you are doing great" that was 1 year ago. well so far, so good. I am being treated in Montreal at CHUM hospital. great people, very organized and my onco ,the head honcho there. She is really very good and patient with me. tolerates me with my questions .
Thank you for sharing your story Joe, and with such good humour (I had to laugh out loud at your post examination comment "...no Xmas card, nothing.."). I am 61 & this is very informative, I am going for a PSA check next week.
Thank you for posting this Joe. I have been having annual PSA tests done since I was 50. My last one a year ago was 1.44 and I have just booked another. In spite of obvious signs of BPH for a number of years, for which I am now taking medication, my last visit to my doctor a year ago left me underwhelmed with a distinct atmosphere of `why are you here?' It is bad enough that many men leave it far too long before consulting a doctor; the marked change of GP access that now exists since the C19 pandemic is making it yet more difficult. I generally contact my doctor's surgery by email and they are pretty good at responding. A PSA blood test is a simple step and, while , of its own, it is most certainly NOT the last word in prostate health, it is a useful marker, which, if done at regular intervals, typically annual for me, it at least provides a trend to be followed upon which intervention can be considered if there is a marked change between tests. Without such a historic trend, there is no way of knowing how long a raised PSA level has existed. They say ignorance is bliss, but if you are a man over 50, ignorance of your personal PSA level could prove to be the nightmare we all fear at the cost of those simple blood tests we could not be bothered to take. I wish you well, Joe.
You are correct about it not being an absolute factor (PSA) towards Prostate Cancer. One of the guys in the waiting room after his biopsy told me his reading was 1.2. Showing that a high or low reading, may or may not mean you have the it.
I would extend that to anyone nearing the age of 50 too. I've just had my first PSA test at 47 (no result yet), after a couple of episodes of finding it tough to pee in the mornings. I am expecting a DRE next week, regardless of the result.
Thank you for this video, more men need to be open and explain about this to help save lives. I'm no expert, but it appears the metastasis could be containable and so I hope for the best for you. It was once thought I had Pancreatic cancer and the only way I found to deal with it was to expect and prepare for the worst result; if the worst happened then I had prepared for it, if it didn't then it was a bonus, thankfully I was given the all clear but given 50% of us will get cancer, you never know. All the best with your journey and the trials to come, I hope you can continue to live a long happy life 🙏
Joe, Thanks for posting this video and being so open with your diagnosis. I a,so really appreciate the humor. I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in December but still doing testing to see if it’s confined or spread. Unfortunately, in the US we have to fight with the insurance companies to get some testing covered so I am trying to get a PSMA PET scan. I don’t know what type of treatment I will end up getting but previously worked for Sandoz which at the time was the generic division of Novartis. One of my colleagues supported Novartis for the approval of Pluvicto which apparently uses a similar chemical as that used for the PSMA scan but has a radioactive isotope attached so it acts like a Prostate Cancer seeking treatment which specifically targets the Prostate Cancer cells wherever they may be. I don’t know how available it is as it was only approved in 2022 and sounds very expensive. Best wishes for a successful treatment. Blair
Hi Blair, I think I had a radioactive isotope, but I couldn’t tell you the brand name used. Fortunately we have the NHS in the Uk, which has its pros and cons. It’s ridiculous that you have to fight with the insurance companies, seeing as you are paying for healthcare there. Prostate cancer is no joke, 1 in 8 men will get it and it should be a priority. I wish you the very best and hope it is local to the prostate and has not spread. Keep us updated please.
Thanks Joe, still arguing with the insurance company, appreciate and will continue to watch your videos and share information. One point which may only apply in the US but get a second opinion of your biopsy slides.. Mine has been upgraded to a bit more severe 4+3=7 Gleason score bu😊 still no PET scan which I am pushing for. Insurance in the US is a disaster but most people don’t realize it as they never experienced better payment systems. US is backwards (3rd world) in this regard. Like the openness of the channel and Wish all a positive outcome.
@@delta-40Joe, you pay 1/5 of income after tax for health insurance in Germany, until I am 66 UK pension date, I don't do paid work here as it will cause me issues with my UK pensions.. The real kicker for me is that due to the amount of treatments I needed after the botched surgery.... The insurance company have increased my payments. You can't fight the white here in Germany unless you are rich and in for a very long haul... Every day is a gift.... I consider myself lucky to be alive, my wife is wonderful about my being poorly, when we met I was 55, very fit for my age having survived many broken bones femur scull etc... The 2 hour drive home the night I needed life saving surgery was not easy for her, especially in the dark... Everyone who knows me is very understanding even my step very young grandkids.
Keep your sense of Humour it does help. I’m two years down the road after radiation and hormone therapy with zoladex injections, they tell you the obvious side effects of the hormone treatment but not all of them and especially the long term affects. Keep asking questions and make your own decisions after doing the research. Gleason 8. 3+5 Brenden 👍
Cheers Brenden. Yes absolutely, trying to keep up the humour. I keep trying to use the excuse 'I have the cancer' when I try to get away with stuff at home. Thank you for your post and wishing you the best.
Just had a PSA and it is 22.5 and waiting for the rest of my blood work to come back. Seeking treatment and further diagnoses. Very unexpected and mentally unnerving. Thank you for the video,
Read Jane Mclleland "How to Starve Cancer without Starving Yourself ". It a great understanding about cancer. She survived 3 bouts of different cancers. It's been a year since my operation. Doing great. Godbless
Thanks Joe, down to earth explanation. Got a biopsy in a couple weeks (probably be on my 65th birthday) after returning an increased PSA of 11. Prayer mat out again, will send a few up for you.
Joe-thanks for the video. I am in a similar situation had 6 months of ADT -prostap and Erleada -psa dropping, 2/3rds way through radio which is fine. All in all I feel good, keeping active and not letting things get on top of me. My biopsy was very similar to yours awful , I was shaking uncontrollably afterwards . Love the humour- more videos please
I do hope you have a good outcome. My journey, will try to keep this short. I put off going to see a specialist, I live in Germany, when I i was still serving, I retired at 60. At 62, the German doctor was very uncaring. After biopsy, which was awful, a lack of anesthetic....I had a raging infection. He refused to treat for over 14 days. Then on antibiotics for a month. Forward to surgery. I was told it was a difficult process, davinci.. discharged a week later. Back the next day as I was very poorly. There was a hole in my colon. Emergency LIFE saving surgery within the next two hours. Wake up, in ICU, where I spend the next 21 days alone, due to the COVID bollox. Now with a stoma to go with the catheter, and oxygen, I have asthma. Then I have to undergo surgery ever 48 hours, general anaesthetic. 12 times. Released eventually, without a catheter.... No control of pee at all. Six months later I have the stoma removed. But then have difficulty with not pooing myself, and getting some control over my pee. Forward 18 months, still don't have full control over pee or poo. But cancer free. However, try to be as fit as you can always, as if you have to undergo surgery and especially general anaesthetic. Being unfit will add to the situation. Oh and if you have surgery, make sure you do exercises asap and keep them up to get blood flowing back into your togger!!! If you are experiencing peeing issues don't ignore them and good luck...
Thank you for sharing your story. First ket me say that you are in my prayers. You are a strong person. I am scared. I have same symptoms of enlarged prostate. My PSA was taken twice and came back as 12. I have scheduled a biopsy.
Thank you for sharing Larry. Strong? Don’t know about that, not much I can do about it, apart from warning others not follow my footsteps. If my video triggered you to get the wheels in motion then I am happy. Please keep us dated and likewise praying for some good news on your side.
Well done Joe and good luck, I'm almost 75 and have never really had a powerful flow unlike my younger brother who was like a firemans hose who i envied everytime he used our loo. I'm peeing anything between 7 times a night starting around 4am and other nights 1 or 0 times a night. I'm basically a coward when it comes to even visiting my Dr's but plan on going next week, I suffer from extreme anxiety and panicking even now while typing this, I've no other symptoms as full of aches a pains with arthritis. Thanks for sharing lets hope its just an enlarged prostate or even Diabetes. John
Hi John and thank you for commenting. As you are probably aware, from watching the video, I’m on waterworks meds. My stream is a little better but still have my sleep interrupted at night and still have the urgency to go during the day. I’m generally up at 3am like clockwork needing to go to the toilet, probably after 3-4 hours sleep. If my video has motivated you to get checked then I have achieved my aim. Do it next week definitely and let’s hope it’s just enlarged. Get the PSA test and the dreaded DRE if your doctor is willing. Hopefully you may get some good news. My second video, Ep 2, covers my treatment updates and side effects, if you haven’t seen it. Keep your chin up John and good luck. Keep us updated it’s good to talk.
@@delta-40 Thanks for getting back to me mate I'm actually sh....ng myself Id rather the Finger than the rest as had it twice in about 30 years and wasnt at all painful. I was told by a friend the only time to worry about the index finger was when both the Drs hand are on your shoulders (soz my humour) Thanks again
My otherwise very healthy brother-in-law (65 yrs old) had his PSA tested. It was perfectly normal and he had no symptoms. In addition, his doctor gave him an in-office physical exam (finger wave). It was there that the doctor felt abnormal "bumps" on my brother-in-law's prostate. Upon further testing, he was diagnosed with a rather aggressive form of prostate cancer and ended up having his prostate removed. Thankfully, they caught it in time. The takeaway here, guys, is do not rely solely on a PSA test or any lack of symptoms for that matter. Prevention, through regular screening, is the best cure!
Hey, great video and great you are getting the message out there.. I am 56 and have tested PSA every year since 50. Jan 23 elevated psa of 4.5. Had the dreaded Dr. DRE, MRI and biopsy. Gleason score 3+4. Cancer was cribriform and bilateral. Had the prostate removed in May 23 with a final histology of 4+3 T3b, spread to the “jizz bag”. I have spent my time encouraging others to get the test. My mates got tested and one had needed a prostatectomy also, he got others to get tested and now there are 5 of us who tested positive for prostate cancer. Please get tested guys.
I thought you can still do surveillance if you chose to for Gleason Score of 3+4, unless is 4+3. And you even go to the extreme of totally removing it. Was that solely your decision or doctor recommendation? Just asking, I am sure everyone's decision is different.
I was diagnosed in 2019. Started with PSA7.4. Had an MRI and then my first biopsy which yielded Gleason score 6. Protocol out here (NL) is then to monitor vigilantly. PSA initially dropped to 5.4 and then gradually rose with something like 0.6 point each 6 months. As a result I had over that time 3 more biopsies, all yielding Gleason score 6. Also had another MRI a year back which showed same results of 2019. Urologist is puzzled and warned me that a prostatectomy might still be necessary (Options here are robotic prostatectomy or radiation - I will not do the latter). PSA las September was 8.8. Next check end of this month. So I had 4 biopsies, two of each kind (via the colon and via the perineum). Both are bearable but I fully agree with you on the unpleasantness. I'm 100% sure (as if I needed that to know) that I'm not gay! The fact that I can live with the knowledge that I do have prostate cancer, albeit with Geason 6, is something that my urologist is keen to establish (ie quality of life etc). I have no physical complaints and I am able to simply dismiss the notion of it all. The gradual PSA increase is giving me some stress and I do sometimes think that having a prostatectomy solves the whole affair. Anyway - thanks for the video and to you and to all who already commented from the same boat: all the best and hang tough!
Like you, physically I don’t feel much different, even with Gleason 7. It’s really only the meds and the knowing that is troublesome, and as you say stressful. Hopefully your next test at the end of the month will not be too high. I wish you the best, with whatever you decide to do my friend. A lot of people have recommended ‘Ripping it out’. To date I have not been given that option, or indeed any others. You hang in there too.
Thanks mate. I wish you all the best, and hope that it goes well for you. Its refreshing to hear your honest account. I'm like you, thyroid hadn't been checked for years with lockdown. I,m 61 and the nurses said ,"lets do a full screen". I've had the PSA test (high). MRI( area of concern), just waiting for the biopsy results. Get yourselves checked out guys.
I was diagnosed in 2020 PSA 15.8 MIR scan showed something, so had biopsy shown two areas out of 15 snipes. Glesson scale 3+3. No treatment PSA test every three months. Three months later PSA 12, 19,15, 16 Since 2021 they only do PSA every six months as second biopsy only found one of the two areas out of 15 snips. Lat two PSA were 15.8 last week 15. I try and drink tomatoe juice most days and teaspoon of bicarbonates of soda in glass of water. What they dont tell you is that cycling can give false reading and that is why cyclist get diagnosed with high PSA but high PSA doesnt mean you have cancer.
Apparently, ejaculatory sex within 48 hours prior to a PSA blood test can also give a falsely raised PSA result. Could someone please verify if this is true?
its interesting that your psa is that high for gleason 6, Here is my situation ,Feb 22 my psa was 10.7 6 weeks later it was the same i had an MRI in May i scored piriads 3, and the first biopsy in August i had a PSA of 9.6 two weeks before my biopsy , biopsy came back as gleason 6 out of 17 cores 9 were positive i think 4 showed 50% , my next psa rose to 10.1 ,i believe these biopsies cause a lot of imflamation and cancer cells thrive on this ,anyway fast forward to JULY 2023 and i had my confirmation biopsy psa was now 11.1, that was a 13 core biopsy where only 3 cores were positive one was 5% the other two were only 1% so a massive drop ,because of the high psa i had another mri over a month ago which i havent got the results yet ,iam getting them by phone on the 4th jan, so as i type this iam still on active surveilance ,iam taking 4000 icu of vitd3 every day along with turkey tail ,reishi,lions mane etc and i exersise every second day
Publish as often as you can. You are putting out valuable information Joe. Good luck with your journey. I will be watching.
Oh, and keep up your humor, you had me laughing with some of your comments to the medical folks,
Good down to earth tell it as it is advice Joe. Top man. My gleeson was 8. Due for prostate removal in March. Its not spread beyond the glsnd. Men being open and informative like this helps to reassure others.
Thank you and hope March goes well for you. Don’t forget to update us all on how it goes and life after the procedure my friend.
Check out the TULSA PRO procedure. I'm not kidding! Check it out now.
Hello there, how did your prostatectomy go ? Results of the pathology afterwards ? Wish you well. Cheers !
I started out with a PSA of 438 and I felt the cancer when the doctor did the DRE. That was on a Wednesday had the SCAN & biopsy before the weekend was over had 11 of 12 cores positive Gleason 4 + 5 Mets to three nodes and the spine that is when I was 60 I am 63 now and i have had many problems but life is still good and I plan to make as many birthdays and Christmas as possible 😢😢
Sorry about your situation Michael. But what a great positive attitude my friend.
What was your treatment?
My question precisely. @allanc9472
Hi Joe. 58-yrs old. April/May this year I started getting the usual symptoms, weak flow and getting up 2-3 times a night. At hospital for something else mid October and my missus mentioned symptoms to the consultant surgeon who referred me to a urologist. A week later I had a consultation and DRE and he said my prostate was enlarged but didn't feel too bad but gave me a PSA test anyway. Another week later on the follow-up with the urologist and the PSA result was 2000. The following week I had a biopsy and a few days later a bone scan and another PSA test. Immediately started on initial two shots of Firmagon (degarelix). Result was Stage 4 Gleason 9, PSA now 3500 and cancer spread to my upper skeleton, arms, ribs, breast bone, shoulder blades; bloody everywhere. Started on Zytiga (Abiraterone) and Prednisolone. End of November I had another PSA and PSMA PET-CT scan which confirmed the bone scan and also in one lymph node. First week of December I had my third shot of Firmagon. My PSA had dropped to 20.
Agreed on the DRE, I struggled to sit down and after the biopsy I had to have a catheter fitted. Had that for around four weeks, was a fucking nightmare for a few days after it was removed, pissing neat blood, pain and blood clots. Cleared-up after a few days.
The medical oncologist has told me I will be on hormone therapy for life. Side effects from hormone therapy didn't start until this month. Night sweats and a really weird feeling of nervousness in my chest, dizziness, headache, loss of sex drive.....My missus and I have decided the best course of action for me is to have my balls removed (bilateral orchiectomy). Sounds drastic I know but I can drop the Firmagon and related side effects apart from the impotence ha.
Be interested to keep up with your journey mate, treatment, diet, exercise, what you have told your family. I haven't told my three lads yet or anyone else back in the UK (I live in Thailand), I don't suppose there's any good time to tell them but I thought I'd get Christmas and New Year out of the way first.
..........Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, spread the message to all men out there and thanks for your service. Good luck. Mark
Wow. PSA 3500 and down now to 20. Undoubtedly due to hormone therapy. You are definitely having a hard time my friend and I am sorry. Regarding informing family, yes it’s a tough one. In my case I told all family and friends when I found out. It wasn’t Xmas in my case so I can understand why you didn’t want to dampen the Christmas spirit. You have a great new year and many more.
I enourage you to reconsider the decision to remove your testacles. You can take the medication (ADT) and get the same result. You will have the lousy side effects in any event. No testosterone will do that to you. Be careful.
Good luck both of you
God Bless
@delta-40 fasting.... Starve the cancer out allow the body to reset look into it research
I am 75 now but I was diagnosed in February of 2023 as were you. Unfortunately mine has metastasized throughout my body with bone lesions on my spine and other places in my skeleton. I have had chemo and radiation therapy and am now reasonably comfortable pain wise. My PSA now is 0.47 and climbing again so my oncologist is working out what he is going to do. I'm in Australia and fighting the good fight. It is not getting me down and I am lucky to have a wonderful young wife who is looking after me very well. Keep up the good work.
Sorry to hear that Mark. Keep up the fight my friend. Like you I have someone, who is helping me through it. Hopefully your oncologist will come up with something soon. Good luck.
I'm really sorry Joe. Big hug. Thank you for being so kind to share your story.
I'm just getting started on this journey, mate. Scared as most of us are. MRI shows two lesions on my prostate (one that is highly likely malignant) and this journey started with a annual PSA at the end of this summer. Latest PSA was only 5.5 which I though wasn't so bad at the time, but just to be sure I booked an appointment with a urologist and then... we'll you know the story. After the unsettling MRI result, getting a 22 needle biopsy done in mid-Feb and will then have more data to fully understand where I am right now and where I'm probably headed in terms of any necessary treatments. Going to demand a PSMA PET scan at some point to check for any spread throughout my body! That seems to be the new gold standard for such things.
You have no idea how helpful it is to so many of us to hear stories like your. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Let’s hope it’s, if indeed it is confirmed, it’s confined to the prostate. Keeps us updated please. Glad my video and all the comments have helped. Take care my friend.
Read my comment and good luck.
Admiration and appreciation to Joe for your video on prostate cancer, your journey is May I say typical of older men’s experience. I was 66yrs, just arrived back in Australia from California sailing the 42foot yacht I’d bought. Fit and healthy I went for an annual medical, no symptoms buy PSA from memory was 6.2, digital indicated lumpy hard area on prostate, I immediately got a second opinion same opinion to get it checked out. Biopsy came back negative but further MRI scan & MRI guided biopsy hit positive targets, I think Gleeson 7 and agressive. I was alone on my yacht in Brisbane in total shock, bronze and fit yet diagnosed with cancer. Luck for me there was a comparison trial going on: open surgery v robotic for a cost/ results evaluation. Just by shear luck I got the robotic by a brilliant urology surgeon Geoff Coughlin for my prostatectomy with great success. A year or so later I’ve sailed down to Hobart when my 0.05psa gradually rose to 1.5psa, now I’m freaking out but luck came to my aid once again, a cruising friend knew a top Urologist in Hobart who agreed to see me, he directed me to an eminent radiotherapist in Hobart hospital who treated me for 7 weeks X 5 days/ week and now my psa is stable @ 0.05 for the past 10 yrs. I do have mild incontinence but @ 76yrs I feel blessed and very thankful to all professional doctors and nurses who looked after me and dear friends who guided and helped me : Gail Maynard(deceased) & Bruce Morley.
Thank you for your post. You have certainly been blessed with excellent care on your journey Alan. Hopefully you can continue on your sailing travels around the globe for many more years my friend.
Had an HMO, Kaiser Permante, and as you know doctors come and go. My primary care physician was terrible. He left Kaiser and I was assigned a new doctor. She looked at the files of her patients and saw my PSA numbers doubled back to back. She called me never got a call from Kaiser before. She referred me to a urologist and 13 biopsies later yep cancer. To make a long story shorter, doctors are only as good as they are human. Thank you Doctor you saved my life.
Been with Kaiser many years, don't know my primary they come and go. Horrible insurance, always overbooked, takes forever to see a doctor, money over your health. The care has gone downhill over the years.
Been there friend , self advocate with knowledge and respect,but push back until you are satisfied. Love you ! The only good thing about my chemotherapy and radiation were (and still are ) the patients I met . I learned what empathy is and that people are descent and kind .
When my PSA went up to around 7 I had my prostate removed. Laparoscopic robotic procedure was employed by the surgeon. Lengthy procedure - recovery quite fast, although I had some difficulty urinating after the catheter and urinary bag was removed a week later. That passed and I was left with a limited sex life. Of course I was 78 years old at the time and my sexual performance was not at full strength anyway. However, I am very happy to be alive and healthy with no urinary incontinence (a concern for many).
Joe, I wish you well, brother. I'm 2 years old in my procedure now and praying for you and others.
Thank you and our thoughts are with you too.
thank you for your brave sense of humor,and admission
My journey started 2012 - no symptoms opportunistic PSA test 6.2, Prostatectomy ,3+4 G7 , as of today mets to lymph nodes from pelvic to neck with spots to rib cage half way through Chemo PSA went from 38 to 1.19 five sessions. Hormone therapy failed after 30 months from being undetectable to 38 on PSA testing. I’m 66 in March I expect another five years of survival,and will enjoy every minute of it .Best wishes to you sir keep on going never give up.
Sorry to hear this Paul. Enjoy life and I pray you go well beyond 5 years.
Knowing what you know now, would you still have done the prostatectomy?
@@schmingusss YES
Thank you, Joe, for sharing your journey. You're a good man. Cheers.
Thank you for posting Joe. I found out in October 2023 that I had. PSA of 68.4. After the pet scan I was informed it had spread to my bones. In November I received the months supply of tablets and the injection to last 3 months. My next injection is early February 2024. As far as side effects are concerned I have had very few. I have pain in my right hip and lower back but that is about it. Please keep us up to date as I am sure you are aware, the uncertainty of the future is what concerns most of us. Keep fighting we need to support each other. Ben
Thanks for posting your comment Ben. I’m a few months ahead of you and been on HT (Prostap) for it a little while. The hot flushes hitting me night and day are probably the most obvious side effect. I’m sure there will be more in time. With regards your pain in the hip and lower back, it might well be mechanical (muscle tightness etc). An osteopath may well be worth a visit. I had issues with my psoas and piriformis muscles which affected my lower back. My hip pain was arthritis hence the hip replacements. I will post a further update soon on YT and yes be strong and keep fighting.
What was the size of your prostate, if you don't mind.
Hip issue is likely not connected to your prostrate. Make an osteopath appointment like I did to be sure. My osteopath prescribed 15mg of Meloxicam which took care of my hip pain completely. Since then, I have reduced my Meloxicam intake to 7.5mg every other day to be taken with food.
Now I only need to deal with my prostrate issue which did rise to over 7 but has now dropped to 4.6 which is considered high but below 5 which was normal for my age of 73. I go every 6 months for a CT scan and then blood tests every 3 months. My doctors say that I will likely only need monitoring for now.
Sorry for the late reply. It was 52cc
I'm really sorry mate for the news you've received and I know it's not easy to come to terms with. I truly hope whatever treatment you receive really works for you and that your family and friends are supporting you through this time in your life.
Thank you. Yes getting lots of support. Like many of us.
My diagnosis similar to yours still okay 11 years later hang in
2017 Gleason score 4+5, Davinci prostatectomy, year later PSA rising fast, hormone therapy followed by radiation therapy. My PSA has fluctuated between 0.2 to 0 .5 but is back down now to 0.22. Thank God for modern medicine, a great surgeon and a really smart nurse practitioner who monitors me every 6 months. There is hope my friend!
Thanks Tom. Glad your in good hands.
Hey Joe! Thanks for sharing this. It is so important that guys like us do this, so thank you. Similar to you I had mine spread to my nodes but also have it in my bones. A tad younger at 49 with a higher PSA 575. Like they say, "You don't want cancer...but this is the cancer to have and now is the best time to have it." #Anythingispossible
I am a couple of months into my journey with prostate cancer. Gleason 8, wide spread bone metastatic cancer. I’ve had an injured lumbar spine since my teens, and had episodes of periodic bouts of back pain. So when my back started playing up it was nothing really surprising, except that the pain kept increasing to a level not met since the original injury 50 odd years ago. Eventually got a appointment with the gp who arranged a mri, and that’s when things kicked off.
After the initial scan, I left the room only to be called back and put through the machine again. Following that I was wheeled to a ward by the radiologist who said I’d be sorted out by on the ward. Eventually a nurse came round saying the oncologist would be with me shortly. I remember thinking to myself did she say oncologists? No, can’t be. But it was. So I was told I had widespread bone cancer but no sign of a primary source. There followed a pet scan and X-rays of my hips and femurs. Blood was taken and I was sent home after being told I’d be called back in for a bone biopsy to identify the source. So I spent that evening wondering what cancer I had.
I received a call the next morning informing they found a psa of 2600, indicating that the primary was a prostate cancer. I was asked to attend urology for prostate biopsy. My experience of the procedure was pretty good, for what was done to me. The procedure was explained, and I was asked to put on a gown and jock-strap. I was then introduced to the birthing chair, and after a quick positioning the area around my butt-hole was cleaned up. With little warning the docs finger was I up my bum. Not the best experience, but also little in the way of discomfort. Local Anaesthetic was injected mid-way between my butt-hole and scrotum. This area was where the tool entered that took the biopsy. The injection stung a little, and I can’t say I felt any pain at all from the tool. A ultrasound probe was inserted up my poor backside, but again no pain, just a little discomfort. All over in 10 minutes, given tea and biscuits, first load up of hormone injection, all the while waiting impatiently to pee. Eventually my bladder cooperated and my pee was as clear as a bell and was sent home. If my experience is anything to go by, this procedure is a doddle, just get her done. I was told I may pass a little blood when peeing and that’s what happened, just the once.
So to my plan, injections and pill to reduce testosterone. Infusion to increase bone density, a pill to flush out excess calcium from deceased bone, radiotherapy and chemo. What an adventure. Should be a blast!
About 6 to 8 years ago I got symptoms of an enlarged prostate; broken stream, dribbling, etc. my gp checked my pee and did a finger exam of the prostate. He did offer a psa test but advised it often produced a false positive, and would lead to a needless and painful biopsy - so I didn’t. Probably a decision that has drastically reduced my life.
Moral of the story. If you are aged 60 and over, wether or not you are showing symptoms, insist on regular prostate checks and blood check psa. It could save your life.
Good luck everyone fighting this decease
Great Post Mike and well written covering your experience. Sorry you are going through this and wishing the best.
Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you well. I too was diagnosed with PC and had the gland removed by robotic assisted surgery. You say that men aged 60 and over should get themselves checked, I would strong advise to start the PSA dosing at 45. Look as those numbers ==>> Although only about 1 in 456 men under age 50 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 54 for ages 50 to 59, 1 in 19 for ages 60 to 69, and 1 in 11 for men 70 and older. Nearly 60% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65. It doesn't mean all these cancers will be aggressive and will need treatment but it is a must to check early.
@ those figures are disturbing, and would certainly support an early start to scanning for the presence of pc. I’m not sure if there will be the appetite amongst the medical profession to provide this service?
Thank you for taking the time to respond and share your experience with pc. Wishing you the very best for a speeding and lasting recovery.
@ Ontaining a scan is not that easy, unless you can or are willing to pay for it. From experience I know that they will do it only after there is a strong possibility of a metastatic condition. However I'm shocked when I hear that some MD's don't do a systematic PSA dosing starting at 50 years of age. In some countries the limit was lowered to 45. It is not expensive nor invasive. Yes an elevated PSA will not always mean there is a cancer. There are cases when the PSA level is normal even in the presence of a PC. It has been the norm for females to consult a gynaecologist yearly, however us men don't do that for our genital apparatus. Yes the DRE is unpleasant but by far easier to take that the news of a stage 4 PC. Go get checked gents !
16 year survivor, robotically removed, best of luck and prayers to all !🙏
How they remove? With incision or thru bum!
I’m almost positive they use the incision method when using the robot. I may be finding out soon enough . My PSA was 8.4 but my Gleason score was 4+5 . I’m going for a PSMA shortly.
Had a TURPS procedure 15monrhs ago for urine retention brought on by an enlarged prostate. My fault had all the symptoms. Constantly peeing and I’m like it’s old age. So stupid. I’m now going for a PSA test next week because I’ve started peeing all the time again. I’m coming up for 69 years but please if you start peeing a lot more than normal please go and get it checked out. Theirs medication to shrink the prostate and you would avoid one of the worst experiences in your life. The CATHETER. Totally sympathise with everyone who has experienced this. Health is wealth.
Good advice Alan.
@alanchriste2963 good advice Alan. Best of luck with the PSA test.
Joe, excellent post. Same here, diagnosed spring of 2023, opted for a radical prostatectomy. Worked out well, no detectable PSA readings, but will get intensive PSA tests 4 times this year, thereafter annually. Prayers for you and thanks again.
You’re welcome my friend. Best of luck to you for the future.
Great video Joe - love the inclusion of some humour. I’m 66 and also am recently diagnosed with prostate cancer which has spread outside of the prostate but have had a roundabout diagnosis.
Starting over 2 months ago I was not feeling very well. I had mainly gastric issues and some pain in my right side which was not usual for me. I visited my GP who did standard tests and bloods and waited for the results. 3 days later I had to visit A&E because my right side pain had become excruciating, I could not sleep plus I was having difficulty breathing.
I passed out in the waiting area and was admitted for 2 days. I was given blood thinning and intro venous antibiotics medication and had many tests including a CT scan, ultrasound scan, X-ray, ECG and bloods. All these tests frighteningly revealed 5 lesions on my ribs, 1 lesion in the liver and a PSA of 29. I was discharged and referred to Urology for an appointment.
3 weeks later I had my Urology appointment with my Consultant Dr. A. Zang. She gave me an internal examination revealing a hard enlarged prostate and stated that I had metastatic prostate cancer. My PSA was now 35 so during the appointment I was given 2 injections of Firmagon 1 dose to be repeated monthly and booked for a confirmation prostate biopsy in 2 weeks (which I had yesterday) and a full bone scan to follow 2 days later (tomorrow). The actual biopsy (8 cores) was painless but inserting the ultrasound probe was awful which I told the 4 nurses after the procedure with one of them replying “it’s because you have a young man’s anus” to which I replied “does that mean I’m a heterosexual?) which produced a chuckle from one of the girls.
Pre-biopsy my Consultant thinks that my PC staging is T3 with N1 M1 into the liver and bone from all the scans I’ve already had. It’s 2 weeks since my Firmagon treatment started and my right side rib pain has totally gone. Side effects are lumpy injection site, fatigue, muscle ache and sweats. I assume my PSA will be tested again before or at my next injection? I have also been placed on the list for the Artemis/Pro trial (Observational Study of Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Metastatic Hormone Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC) Treated With ADT plus Apalutamide or Enzalutamide Under Routine Clinical Practice (ArtemisPRO))
Although it is very early days with my treatment I am so grateful to our National Health Service which promptly tested me revealing the cancer. Apparently over the years the treatment of prostate cancer has evolved greatly with many existing and new treatments which can help. It seems that the first step is testosterone suppression hormone therapy such as Firmagon but after doing some research combined treatments - maybe 2 or even 3 treatments including Firmagon in unison - may produce better results? My main problem is the worry, fear and anxiety of it all.
Also with the reorganization of my GP practice back in 2018 and then covid my yearly "well man" appointments stopped which might have flagged my PC at an earlier stage?
Hi Nigel. Sorry you are going through this as well. Absolutely right about the NHS they have been good to me so far. Bloody C19. I think a lot of us, if seen earlier, may have caught it before it had spread. ‘Young man’s anus .. Ha…I must have one too. Wishing you all the best and keep us updated, especially on your treatment and how it goes. Look after yourself and I would like to say Happy new year considering the shit situation we are all going through.
Keep posting please. As a 73 year old, I was diagnosed May 2024 with advanced metastatic prostate cancer with significant skeletal involvement. Was not in any organs or lymphatic system. A small amount of bone pain in the shoulder region sent me off for a bone scan to find I'm riddled. PSA 54. No biopsy of the prostate although I did have a bone biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. After scans, prostate was of normal size and shape. 6 rounds of Chemo (Docetaxel) along with ADT (hormone reduction therapy) consisting of 3 monthly injection of Zolodex and daily Darolutamide tablets has me now at a PSA of 0.02. Oncologist suggest the cancer is dormant. I still have my prostate.
Has been a tough ride but worth it. Fight on fellow warriors.. p.s I'm in Australia.
I didn't have any of those problems with my biopsy. That sounds terrible. When we were done the Dr. asked if I was OK. I told him I'd had DREs that were worse. I did have some discomfort on the way home but, it passed in a couple of hours. My samples were taken rectally and was numbed up well. I had 12 samples with two having very small samples of more aggressive cancer for a 4+3. I had two PSA tests at 19+. I had mine removed and the surgeon was surprised at the amount of cancer. My after PSA was 0.09. Not bad but, not as good as could be so I'll have another test and radiation if anything shows up. I'm progressing pretty well and I'm glad I went the way I did. There are different ways to take care of it so keep on top of it and good luck.
Good man, very kind and brave of you to share your experiences. My younger brother has just been diagnosed with PC and I’ve had some mild symptoms, so you’ve helped me make my mind up to get a PSA test asap. Thank you so much and good luck with your journey.
Thank you and good luck with your test. 🤞it will be very low.
I wish the best to you in your new journey. I choose a different path, stressing quality of life verses all these types of treatments. Many men such as us with this cancer opt for treatments and I applaud their decisions., as yours to move forward. My younger brother opted for treatments (different cancer/melanoma) and unfortunately they all failed and was painful to see him struggling to get by, let along those family members who were with him during this time. Each to his own…I’m blessed to have no issues, sleep all night, pee well, and at almost 72 still get a woody. I’m sure the day will come, but I’m blessed for all I have done that was planned for me and have enjoyed. May your journey meet all your expectations and do well. 🙏
I feel like you brother.. I'm 70 years old have APSA of 12.8. Add a buy up c hey m r I have pet scans. I feel like doing nothing also! I always ate healthy but I am eating healthy now. Juicing every morning. Eating steam tomatoes in the afternoon. Quit tapioca which I ate every day! Ha ha. I'm looking into breaky therapy. And I refused any hormone treatments. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
My friend has opted for the same treatment as you. No HT. But his PC was only present in the prostate. He seems to be doing fine and can still get involved in bedroom gymnastics with a little help with the blue pill.
My prayers are with you Joe. As someone who’s struggling with Prostate issues. 🙏🏽
Likewise BW. Thank you.
Some encouraging news for you mate, my psa was 437, metastasis on my pelvic bone, incurable but manageable, been on Prostrap hormone therapy for coming on 5 years now, psa went immediately to 0.1 and has stayed there ever since. Your body will get used to the many side effects given a few months, which to be honest were not really all that bad to begin with. Keep as fit as you possibly can. Good luck.
That is encouraging Ronnie. Thanks for posting.
As an 83 year old still firing on all cylinders makes me grateful for your post. Best wishes to all contributors.
Enjoyed your videos as my PC is similar but I've had 37 sessions of radiotherapy. Your sense of humour is like mine and very relatable. Good luck.
Thanks Andrew. Hope the radiotherapy worked for you. All the best.
Another Joe, age 71, USA. My PSA started to creep up in 2006 and went up to 4.8 and then went down the next year to 2.8. I went on hormone treatments in 2001 for nearly 5 years and had to quit that. I was on a local study program for prostate cancer. In the time on hormones, the PSA was well below 1. The libido returned very quickly after getting off of the hormones, but my PSA slowly crept up in that year. When it reached 7.2, I had my first biopsy. That showed nothing but inflammation in that area. I got the test through the arse and I had to pay through the arse. I then went to the VA (Veteran's Administration) for care after that because I qualified. They did two more biopsies and that third biopsy one showed a #4 in one of the samples in 2021. That last biopsy also caused a UTI which required an overnight stay in the hospital. The prostate was removed 3 months later due to delays as there is a doctor shortage in the VA system. Only one of the lymph nodes removed showed malignancy. A following PET scan showed nothing, however, the doctor interpreted that scan did mention the normal amount of gallstones for my age and the gynecomastia caused by the hormonal treatment. Psa after the operation was .19, now down to.10. Still being monitored with no meds needed, but some weeping into the piss pads. Keep fighting fellows!
You keep fighting too Joe, just like you did before. Thank you for your service.
Aw mate... Gutted for you. Stay strong, Buddy. Love to everyone. x
This is a fantastic video. Thank you so much for documenting your journey. This is extremely valuable information you are dispensing and an incredible gift to those of battling prostate cancer. God Bless you and thank you !
Thank you Tony
Thank for your video Joe. Same storyline for myself. Age 79, asked my doctor for PSA check in 09/2022 as had been getting up at night for a pee - unusual for me. Doctor (female) said ‘. I don’t think that’s necessary as you usually get nothing conclusive - but come back to see me again if anything changes. Nothing changed, however a similar aged friend had been having kidney issues and thinking that may be my issue I booked a Man’s health check’ with the practice nurse in 09/2023. As this check involved blood tests I asked the nurse to do a PSA test at the same time - she agreed and also said PSA’s can give you nothing conclusive. My PSA came back at 310 and I’ve had virtually the same initial treatment. Gleason of 5+4 based upon 32 core samples from enlarged prostate, with metastases to whole bone skeleton, ribs etc. Started Chemotherapy last week ( felt crap) and now on Darolutamide ( a second generation treatment) to suppress and eliminate testosterone as best it can, plus the three monthly jab. PSA dropped to 4 after six weeks and prior to start of Chemo was down to .97.
Terrible that your doctor just brushed you off. It's a bloody simple test (PSA). It's a shame we cannot make them accountable. I tried once years ago on a different matter and the ombudsman said I had no case. Wishing you the best with your treatment.
Hello Joe, Thank You for Your Very Personal and at times humorous story. Have to admit i Lol'd, but as you say, if you'r not laughing you'd probably be crying. I work in a Hospital environment and while in no way qualified, in 25 years this is what i have learnt. NEVER GIVE UP HOPE. This to my mind is Paramount. My Wife Lorna doggedly refused to give in to metastatic breast cancer and i'm positive that attitude gave her more time. What you may be told may not necessarily happen as EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT PLAN OF ACTION, EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO THAT PLAN. Also, if anything that you are expecting to happen, consultation, scans, anything relating to your condition, etc is not happening then SHOUT. If anyone including your own Doctor or even Consultant is not listening to what you are saying, ditch them and find someone who will, IT IS YOUR RIGHT. I wish You the Best of Luck Joe, - i'm afraid sometimes it's down to just that but above all FIght It and Never Give Up.
Thanks Gary, glad I managed to make you laugh. You are absolutely right about having the right mental attitude. Thanks for the advice about 2nd opinions.
Thanks for that mate; first clear explanation of the process I've seen. Had a blood test just before Christmas and told by phone that my PSA was at 25, so just waiting for the letter re my scan. Been having the classic trouble urinating at night and also back pain and night sweats but not so bad lately. So preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Thanks again though and all the best to you.
You’re welcome Bernard. I had the back pain, but put it down to wear and tear from a previous career. Night sweats…. Nightmare!! I get them day and night. Best of luck with your next procedure. Keep us all updated. Let’s hope all of us a have a great New Year.
Diagnosed April this year, luckily organ confined, it hasn’t gone on tour. Absolutely no symptom before, still able to pee over a five bar gate, no night pee’s. Went to the doctor with another issue and casually mentioned that I wouldn’t mind a PSA test. At 73 he said they don’t recommend having that test, but he arranged one for me. Gleason 7, 4:3. When I saw the urologist he told me it was probably curable at my stage, but if I’d come to him 2 years later it would have been a different matter. I opted for ADT and radiotherapy, 20 fractions, came out of it pretty good (except for the hot flushes)
Finished all of my treatment start to finish 6 months. Have my first blood test next week, results in January.🤞🏻🙏🏼
Good luck and best wishes on your journey🤞🏻.
So glad you caught it early. Wishing you all the best on your New Year results 🤞
What kind of a MD says that a PSA level test is not recommended at 73 years of age ? It is inexpensive and non invasive. Find another practician ASAP.
@@Cervin_Suisse He’s an excellent GP, they’re not his words, that’s the general opinion in the medical world, when I requested a test he arranged one for me then made sure I got the best treatment immediately. I got my blood test results in January and was told I don’t need any more treatment and was discharged back to the urology clinic for future monitoring.
@@bartram33 happy for you that the outcome was positive. To hear that your medical world doesn't recommend a PSA dosage at 63 is frightening. The standard nowadays is to do regular checks starting at 50 and even 45 in some places. Best wishes for the future.
@ Not my medical world, apparently everyone’s medical world. th-cam.com/video/EKVlI8OC78w/w-d-xo.htmlsi=COeiiTyzO0TYn12z
Thank you for sharing your journey so far. My husband has just decided on treatment (radiation) and he will also be doing the hormone therapy. He also plans to document his journey on youtube. I believe it will be cathartic for him and like you...he wants to encourage other men to have the proper checks and bloodwork regularly. Wishing you peace and light...cheers from Switzerland.
Hi Mary, I really hope his radiation treatment goes well. Great idea on him posting his journey. Let me know his channel, once set up, so I can subscribe. All the best from dull and drizzly England.
Like you, I did not have my PSA test for several years. Prior to getting checked in 2022 mine had been in the low 2's and upper 1's. My first PSA in over 6 years came back 5.7 and nine months later it was 7.7. I had a prostate MRI that showed probable prostate cancer, what they called a Prads 4. I then had a biopsy of 21 cores and I had scores of 4-3, 4-4 and 3-4 in about 7 cores. I forget how many exactly. My urologist started me on Eligard to drop my PSA and I had a consultation with the radiotion oncologist. This was in June of 2022. I then had CT's of my chest and pelvic regions with and without contrast, and a bone scan to see if there was any spread beyond the prostate. There was not. In September of 2022 I began Proton radiation therapy that lasted from September 8th to November 2, 5 days a week for a total of 39 treatments. I had my last 6 month injection of the testosterone blocker in June of 2023 and my last PSA in June 2023 was 0.02. I will have another in March 2024 and since the hormone blocker has begun to wear off the PSA at that time may show a slight rise. Then it will be every six months a repeat PSA test.
Let me say learn as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can. Don't be afraid to ask the doctors. In additon there is a lot of info here on youtube. A good source is: It is an excellent source of information. Also sign up at the Mayo clinic website and select Prostate Cancer for a blog with a lot of good information.
This is the link. connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=prostate+cancer
Best of luck and God Bless You.
Great post and great name. I hope you haven’t got a statue of yourself anywhere, otherwise some will want to tear it down 😂. Wishing you best of luck with your journey.
What was the size of your prostate, if you don't mind.
Hi Joe , My suprise for my 60th was a psa count of 10 , went for biopsy and came back with a gleason score of 9 , had Brachy implants done , 35 days of external beam radiation and 24 months of Lupron , the count dropped to 0.02 and stayed there for 3.5 years , its started to climb and over the last year its at 0.06 so now its the wait and see game , if it stays under 1 then its fine , thanks for sharing your story
The friend who told me to get checked out is going through a similar path to you. I will pass this comment to him to give him some hope. Thanks for sharing and have a great new year.
you to , enjoy @@delta-40
God bless Joe, and stay strong. You appear to have a positive mental attitude which goes a long way, perhaps more than we know. I didn't get on with the bicalutimide, it flattens PSA numbers alright but it messes with your head. All the best.
Thank you Tony. Fortunately I was only on bicalutamide for a short period. Looking back I don't think I had any adverse issues.
The best first hand information I've read. Also very colorful!!
Thank you
Hey Joe, thanks so much for sharing. I've been monitoring mine for a number of years myself and had a PSA of 11 at one point but now it's dropped back down with no explanation. I had a biopsy done 5 years ago but they want to do another one now so getting ready to clinch my teeth and bear it. Please keep us posted and Godspeed
That's great it dropped down, bad you are getting the finger. Hopefully, it will come back as clear. If so share your secret. I have posted a follow up vid, if you haven't seen it. Fingers crossed for you my friend.
I was very surprised that you have not followed thru. I am 74 and I had my PSA check on annual examine since 60, My PSA went up to 8.4 in 2022 from 3.1 in 2020, and 5.7 in 2021. My urologist took a biopsy and showed 85% cancer in my prostrate. I took a complete body and bone scan the follwoing week. It showed cancer was within prostate. I had ADT (anti-hormone - every 6 months) shot , and was in radiation treatment 2 weeks later for 45 sessions. It ended in Feb 2023. Last ADT Feb 2023. MY PSA tset every 6 months since showed no zero.
It is extrememly important to have timely treatment. Cancer is very deadly. Radiaion is better than surgery and without side effects. I knew poeple had surgery and still went thru radiation beecause surgery didn't work.
NOTE: I had wokrout in t he gym, for over 56 years, and my oncologist crredited my workout ennergy for cancer recovery.
I've had the full bloods and general health check every year since I turned 40, to keep ahead of the curve. I have never had the slightest sign of prostate problems - urine flow like a young man's and no waking up at night. This year my PSA Gleeson score was 10. I did the MIR, biopsy and PET scan and have grade 5 prostate cancer. It doesn't seem to have spread but...
As I came to the urologist's office for the first time, I handed them the referral from my GP. The lady said, "We don't need it as we have already received an electronic copy." I was on the point of tossing it in the bin when I thought I'd read it to see what he said. He said my Gleeson score was 6.1 the year before. I was outraged. That previous year was his first year as my GP. He had the blood result and never told me it was in the red zone (in Australia all GS above 5 should be investigated - in the US I think it's 4). He had also given me a digital examination and said, "Your prostate is like an apricot." I asked, "Is that a good or bad thing?" He said, "It is a very good thing. Prostates can be like an apricot, an apple or a grapefruit. Yours is still small and soft like a young man's." I was flattered but not overly surprised because I have always been ultra fit, never drunk alcohol, never smoked, never had a weight problem - the 4 key factors. And I have maintained prostate health in other ways - high intake of tomatoes and lentils, vegetarian frequent ejaculations etc.
I decided to take legal action. My lawyer said we would need expert medical-legal opinion. The expert said, I don't just have cause of action against this doctor but against my previous doctor, because with a level 3.1 at age 63 and with my level of health it was indicated in 2020, 3.8 in 2021 was a significant jump and cause for alarm.
So the bottom line is that, through medical negligence, I have been living with prostate cancer for at least 4 years. The cancer has evolved into the deadliest type and spread throughout my prostate. It would be pure luck if it hadn't yet spread elsewhere - one cell will do, but the PET scan can only pick up concentrations of 2mm or more. Because of my personal situation, I found this diagnosis devastating. I spent 3 months in deep depression, crying and losing my ability to concentrate. I'm better than that now but still would be happy simply to die. Incidentally nobody told me that after the biopsy I would have fully blood orgasms for the next 6 weeks - nothing else. And it was old blood, dark but very fluid. The first time I was horrified. Fortunately it was a solo effort.
Some advice for fellow victims: do not have your prostate removed. I know nobody who has had this who ever again was able to have penetrative sex. Radiation is safest and should be given as a dual therapy - brachytherapy inside the prostate as a "boost" and external beam radiation to clean up surrounding areas which typically get infected - the seminal vessels and lymph nodes. The reason for this is because, when radiation fails, it is normally inside the prostate. The Androgen Depravation Therapy (ADT, aka chemical castration) which they give alongside radiation but not surgery (another problem with surgery because the risks are greater) is nasty stuff with catastrophic permanent side effects if you take it for 2 or so years. But as short-term measure it is the best of the old-style medications. There are a number of alternatives although these are not typically given in the initial treatment, except for people like our friend Delta 40 here, who have strongly metastasised cancer. The best of them is Dialuramide. It stops the cancer cell from taking the testosterone into its nucleus and turns on cell aging in the cancer cell, so it will die. If you use it in conjunction with Abiraterone, you not only turn off testosterone produced in the adrenal glands but also suppression of the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which is, I think, 6 times more potent in fueling prostate cancer cells. There is a new wonder treatment based on the PET scan technology where they attach a potent nuclear charge to the PET molecule instead of a mild one just for scanning purposes. The PET molecule binds to the prostate cancer cell's PSMA receptor, which thinks it is testosterone. The proximity of the nuclear charge kills the cell and nearby cells in the same way as other radiation but it only settles on prostate and prostate cancer (and unfortunately saliva) cells. With a half-life of 3 hours and a narrow focus of radiation, Lutetium-177 can't do the harm that typical radiation does. This seems the perfect first attack vector for Delta 40. In some countries they are trialing another radioactive molecule, Actium (I forget the isotope's number). It is much more potent than Lutetium-177 but has a tiny radius of action. Unfortunately it has a half-life of 3 or so weeks. They are also trialing administering chemotherapy via the PET molecule - it would only impact the target area and not have the terrible impact chemo normally has. And there are other things - in the last year or so they have worked out that a combination of PARP inhibitor drugs and immunotherapy drugs massively improves the effectiveness of immunotherapy... the world of prostate cancer treatments is nothing like what it was 5 years ago and will be completely different once the new technologies have settled down, doses perfected.
There are 3 things you can do to fight prostate cancer naturally: boost your immune system, reduce your body's tendency to inflammation and starve the cancer. Diet is a great way of achieving all three. Eat lots of cruciferous vegetables (things like broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts) plus a good spectrum of vegetable colours (!), no red meat or eggs or milk (avoid any animal products if possible), avoid sugars and wheat and white rice and corn (especially corn syrup which is an additive to most processed foods) and potatoes (but sweet potatoes are good), avoid alcohol and of course smoking. Take tumeric in its natural form (not boosted as a pharmaceutical product) with black pepper. Other additives Omega 3 (but never with Omega 6 - avoid all Omega 6 fish), avoid zinc - prostate cancer loves it. Take probiotics and anything you can to boost your gut bacteria.
Hi, many advise zinc for prostate health, but you're saying that cancer loves it, can you explain better?
Great detailed post my friend.
Red meat doesn't cause prostate cancer. Cancer cells need glucose to survive (Warburg effect). Blood sugar fluctuations and insulin spikes are the enemy of the prostate, not red meat.
What about a keto diet low sugar with fruits?
@@TommasoPaba From what I got on AI is higher zinc uptake can protect cancer. Prostate cancer has lower levels of zinc than normal prostate so some zinc may help kill the cancer but higher levels may then protect it. So probably zinc foods like pumpkin seeds will give enough but not too much. Moderation is key.
Hi mate....really pleased you are sharing your experience with others..I was the typical bloke, afraid to go and see the doc, I am now 63 years old. In Jan 2022 I went to the hospital with a pain in my chest, I also have a heart condition, I was sent for a x-ray. They noticed some shadows on my ribs and spine, I was then sent for a CT scan. At this stage it meant nothing to me. The results of the CT scan showed I was in advanced stage 4 of prostate cancer. I was told the same day that I was terminal with not long to live, imminent was the word they used. However they started me on Hormone treatment which immediately lowered my PSA level. It is now 3 years down the line and still here, only just. In the last month or two it has really taken a huge toll on me and looks like I'm starting to lose the battle now. A good wife and 10 kids are going to lose me soon. All I can say as you have said is guys go and get checked out at the very first sign. Good luck mate with your treatment.
Great insight and thanks for the boot neck humour. I had my MRI last Monday and I’ve a biopsy booked in 5 days. Had a routine company medical in July. PSA 9.5 is had no symptoms and had been cycling the day before. I’m aware of the false high reading so wasn’t bothered. Anyway, in mid Jan mentioned it at my health centre. Within 3 days I found out my PSA had increased and the GP called me in immediately for an examination. MRI followed within a week. Biopsy next.
Keep your chin up mate 🕺🏼
Thanks Paul and good luck on the biopsy. Let us know how you get on. Try to relax….yeah right 😂
Thanks, well done and valuable. We men have to stick together. Quick healing to you.
Stay positive and keep your sense of humour. I was diagnosed 2 and a half years ago. Stage 4 Gleason score 8. 30 radiation treatments and then hormone therapy every 3 months. Last one next month, then monitor every 3 months with a PSA test. Biggest ongoing issue has been fatigue. I live in Thailand, was diagnosed at the beginning of Covid and couldn’t travel back to Perth Australia for what I assumed would be better treatment. I was wrong as I have seen a top urologist here in Perth who confirmed treatment is top notch and currently successful. Heading “home” next week to prepare for the final shot. (I hope) will follow your journey. Take care.
Really glad your treatment was excellent Mike. Thanks for following my journey and I wish you the very best.
I am based in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, my PSA is up and down from 7 to 4. Do you mind sharing where you had treatment?
@@FBICPS My treatment has been with a urologist attached to the Bangkok hospital in Udonthani. From the beginning she first consulted with a couple of urology professors in Bangkok who reviewed all my medical data. MRI, biopsy etc before agreeing on a course of treatment. My PSA at diagnosis was 8.4, currently 0.06. I feel positive and the Perth urologist reviewing my treatment has confirmed I am on the right track. He has ordered a DEXA body composition scan (tomorrow) just to see how my body is progressing. Good luck.
@@FBICPS in the UK
3 things u need to do asap.
This is not to be taken as medical advice and I'm not a doctor, I have just done tons of investigation into the c issue and it's identical to the plandemic in my view with all the safe and effective advice from medical community who do not actually know what cancer is or how to cure it. My partner for it now, the below is my advice to her.
1. Get yourself on heavy deworming meds... ivermectin is great twice a day. We are all at different levels of parasitic infestation and doctors all ignore this, but parasites are a big cause of many health issues including c, inflammation, hormone issues and all sorts of sickness.
Not saying yours in specific to this but it's a bloody good place to start with minimal downside. Bonus, Ivermectin, fenbendazol are cheap and from what I understand theres very limited downside trying this on a short term. I would say consult your Dr but I'm sure he doesn't want to lose a customer.
2. Diseases thrive in an acidic environment, drink glass of water with 1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda X 4 daily. Space that out evenly from when you wake till bedtime. Yes chemo has baking soda as part of the treatment....I don't see them talking about that much...wonder why😮
Bonus, this is incredibly cheap and again relatively safe in the short term.
3. Gherson juicing diet or other high nutrient natural real food diet mixed with water fasting. Great way to jump start immune system and give your body the fuel to do the repair work.
Bonus, food may cost a bit but traditional c treatment is 100x more expensive with very limited success.
I told my partner to trust her instinct and bet on herself,.besides can she really trust the safe and effective crew who just tried to F the global population with poison.
Now I must trust their advice to save my life.
Please research and read between the lines people when you see contradictory information.
I trust myself first and poison injec. community last.
You are blessed, you are loved!
Let me know how it goes.
Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed your sense of humour as well. I also a 4+3 and headed for the robotic this Friday. Hope your keeping well and your spirits are high. Cheers.
Hey Brian, thanks and best of luck with the surgery. Keeps us updated on how it goes please.
Thank Joe! 63 years young, just got my PSA of 5.7 going in for the MRI if it’s bad news I want to do the targeted “Transperinem “vs the Trans rectal standard biopsy. Really appreciate you sharing your experience very informative and helpful! 🙏 my prayers are with you Brother!
Thanks Ray and good luck.
I had the Transperinial biopsy !! . In England that's all they allow! They BANNED the transRECTAL !!! way too many umm COMPLICATIONS.
Transperineal biopsy is safer with regards to the risk of infection, as the needles don't go thru the rectum. Other than that, to my understanding it is pretty much identical. Normally they do some random sampling in addition to the targeted. Strongly recommended.
@ Thank you 🙏 that exactly what I am doing it’s called precision point where they do all the cores though two holes in the perineum
@@scoot77777 Will they also do a random sampling in addition to the targeted(precision) biopsy ?
Joe, looks like I'm on the same journey as you albeit 9 months behind you! Thanks for the video, very helpful and informative. Richard.
Your welcome Richard. Will be interesting if your treatment is similar to mine. Has yours spread to the nodes as well.
Hello Joe, Thank you for your straight-up honesty, humour and no B.S. explanation of your journey thus far. I am very sorry to hear you were diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am an 18-year survivor. I was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 49 with a Gleason score of 7 (3+4) and a PSA of 4.1. I had a prostatectomy (complete removal) in 2005, and then after the cancer recurred years later, as indicated by a subsequent PSA rise, I underwent 8 weeks of salvage radiation therapy (SRT) in 2016. All was good for a while, but the PSA started rising again in 2022. It has not reached the level of biochemical recurrence (BCR) yet. Please keep us posted on your journey. Best of health to you.
Thank you Fred. Sorry to hear that your PSA is rising. You would have thought, by having the prostate removed that would have been the end of your misery. Then again I’m no medical expert. I really hope that you are being closely monitored and you are living a good life, albeit without a prostate. Take care my friend.
How did your prostate cancer come back since you had your prostate removed? The prostate does not regenerate.
@@delta-40 Joe, yes one would believe that having the prostate removed and having negative surgical margins would have rendered me free of this ordeal. But, alas, mother nature never fails to surprise us...good or bad.
@@srussell31a very good question, indeed. So, this even had my doctors stumped because I had negative surgical margins and therefore no cancer should have existed outside of the prostate. One of my doctors speculated that microscopic cancer cells may have escaped the prostate prior to my prostatectomy. Another doctor on my medical team speculated that the prostate pathology report was most likely in error and perhaps I did have positive surgical margins. Who knows? In any event, it has come back twice.
@@freds5335 I don't know you, but I am a man too and I feel so much empathy for you. I recently learned from a TH-cam urology channel that biopsies can be the cause of spreading a localized prostate cancer because they "seed" the cancer during retraction. An MRI scan is all that is needed to detect prostate cancer. It can then be treated with targetted energy that disrupts the actual leasions while leaving the surrounding areas unaffected.
I had a PSA score of 4.91 last October, then another score of 3.74 two weeks later. But the PSA test does not diagnose and has a 70% false positive history and a 20% false negative history. I'm going to have an MRI scan along with a PSE test (Prostate Screening Episwitch). The PSE is a urinalysis test. I also was not instructed on how to get an accurate PSA score such as no strenuous exercise, no ejaculating several days before, and not consuming the extra biotin that I take for hair loss. I was also ill when my PSA was taken and any inflamation anywhere in the body can produce a faulty PSA score. But in America, patients are treated more like customers to be harvested than actual humans needing treatment.
I know there is nothing I can say or do to make you feel better except to offer my empathy so that hopefully you won't feel alone in your struggle! I sincerely hope they can rid you of this disease!!!!!
Waiting for biopsy results. Good luck with everything!
My fingers are crossed for you buddy
Great info, great humor! Thank you for sharing sir. I'm 59 yrs old about to soon have my first biopsy, watching from SoCal.
Good luck buddy. Hope all goes well.
Joe thx for sharing. I was diagnosed in 2018 with stage IV prostate CA with Mets to pelvic lymph nodes & L rib. I received a prostatectomy & pelvic/thoracic radiation. Then I'm on Eligard injection every 6 month, Zytiga 1 gm daily, prednisone, calcium, vit D & K2 since. Good luck my friend. KZ
Thank you KZ for your input. 5 years so far for you my friend. Keep fighting and good luck as well.
Why a full gram of Zytiga per day?
Joe thank you for posting about your journey and what to expect. I know you will beat this cancer from your attitude! Stay positive and keep us updated. God bless you my friend!! 🙏🙏🙏
An interesting but different journey. I am 70 yo and now 4 months post-prostatectomy. My Gleason score was 4+4 but the PET-MRI and pathology showed no spread and what is called a +ve margin in relation to containment of cancer within the prostate. I have just had my first follow-up PSA test and it was undetectable. Of course I now live with the anxiety of every follow-up PSA test. The actual operation was not painful after 2-3 days, although managing the catheter and bag for a couple of weeks was a hassle - especially moving in bed at night and avoiding crimping or blocking the tube to the bag. Catheter removal was briefly uncomfortable but not painful. The main issue over the last 4 months has been urinary incontinence. At first there was almost no control but this has gradually improved, albeit with good and bad days and the occasional accident. There are lots of articles and vlogs on this subject but they do not go into the details of how to use pads, clamps etc in a detailed and integrated manner. Aside from Kegel exercises there are lots of little tricks I have gradually learned to minimise leakage. Anyway, I look forward to following your journey. Thanks for sharing it.
I know two people in the same situation. They are doing very well many years later. Total recovery takes about one year.
Best wishes 👍
This is why surgeons should be using amniotic membranes on the bundles during surgery. But unfortunately the health care system doesn’t always make this possible.
@@michaelconcato1675 I had not heard of this NVB protection technique in surgery for improving post-op continence. I know about it now but it is too late for me to benefit. Thanks for raising the issue, however. Hopefully it will be standard practice at some point in time.
What about "potency"--or lack thereof?,
@@edwardkirby7679 I am now 15 months post-op and it does return - gradually!
Great video , so true . I had mine out 4 years ago , had a recurrence and had radiation and Lupron ! Good luck brother
Tbnx and good luck too
My story is similar to yours, same symptoms. Started October 2022, PSA was 99 originally but after hormone treatment is down to 1.8, my Gleason score was 4+3. The doctors decided on radiotherapy treatment, however this was delayed as when the MRI was done the found a polyp in my colon/rectum which was Cancerous so has about 10 inches of the large bowel removed in August 2023. I'm due to start radiotherapy now in March 2024. I'm 58 by the way. Thanks, for putting this video up, I enjoyed your whitty comments as well, we have to laugh sometimes. More men need to be aware of prostate cancer.
Thanks for your post Will and good luck with the radiotherapy. I will post an update on my hormone therapy soon and will try to get some humour in there for you. Keep us updated on your treatment and Happy New Year.
@@delta-40 Good luck with the hormone treatment, hopefully you don't get any side effects.
🙏
What was the size of your prostate, if you don't mind.
Thank you Joe so much for your advice , I’ve just started this journey .. and yes you have to find humour over crying , post what ever you can Joe , all is appreciated 👍👍
Thank you for such an excellent video, Joe, it was very informative and well presented. I wish you all the very best for a swift recovery. Take care, mate. 👍
Thank you very much, Clive. Hope you are not a suffering with it as well.
Nice video, I wish you all the very best my friend, there but for the grace of god go I. Take care I will be thinking about you.
I had to smile at your observations in regard to the digit exploration. I had the weak stream experience 2013/14 age 63 (peeing down catheter towards the end) with a Trans-Urethral- Resection Procedure (a rebore) through the prostate in 2014. My Gleason score then slowly rose until 2018, when it hit 7 and, after all the scans, biopsies and probes, I had brachytherapy (nuclear weaponry placed in prostate). Five years on and I have developed pain and super-sensitivity in my bladder (just had a cystoscopy to check nothing exciting going on) - the pain is apparently a side effect of the weapons and I have to live with it (not mentioned at the time and most local GPs were determined it had to be a UTI or imagination). Over the years one develops a certain nonchalance to things being stuck up the rear end. However, I still exist and PSA level remains low. Good luck and trust the science!
I am glad I happened upon your video. I too am going through this situation at the moment. I am 71, and went for my yearly PSA in early December 2023. I have always been 1.0 to 2.0 for years. But this one came back 11.0. So my urologist who always has told me I have a naturally enlarged prostate, had me take antibiotics and retest in a month. So I did that and my PSA was then 14.0. Next he said to get a MRI of my prostate. Of course the earliest it could be scheduled was a month and a half ahead, next time for urologist 2 weeks after my MRI. The MRI showed I do have cancer in a 2 parts of my prostate but said it doesn't seem like it has traveled out yet. The tough part is waiting another 2 weeks to hear what the doctor has to say! I called and asked if the doctor could call me to give me a basic heads up but his scheduler/possibly nurse called and said we don't talk about this over the phone and I would just have wait for my appointment. You know, It the space of time between each step that can make you dishearten with the healthcare system. But I know there are many more seeking treatments with not enough healthcare professional to cover the load. I am very healthy, regularly exercise by walking 5k 3x a week. I keep my weigh down by intermittent fasting, and and daily take some herbs that allegedly promote a health prostate. Such as Turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, ceylon cinnamon, black pepper, along with apple cider vinegar, good quality extra virgin olive oil, and pink salt among a few other things . My high blood pressure I have no more. But here I am like you, facing this situation. I don't relish this biopsy stuff that could come to past. But I would say I am just standing behind you in line for treatment. Let us hope for us both the best I guess!!
You’re right about the waiting Eric. Hope it is just confined to the gland with no spread. I have actually been taking a little concoction of herbs etc that I make into a drink, some of which you mention. Early days but will see how it goes. Wishing you all the best and keep us updated.
Hi Eric
Tim here
I am turning 80 this year and my PSA has increased from 7,5 to 24 over the past 5 years.
I check my PSA every 6- 8 weeks and have had 4 MRIs and a pet scan to see if my 2 tumours 12mm and 6 mm have grown and not metastasised.
I am getting to the stage where I will have to have a biopsy to see what I am dealing with.
I take Fenbendazole and Ivermectin every day and these have helped ( see joe tippens)
I also take much of what you take.
I also walk / run every day about 3 klms.
My PSA came down to 17.4 in November and I was really expecting about 15.
I had it taken 3 weeks ago and 24 was very disappointing.
I will have it done again in a week and see if this was an odd reading.
I am so loathe to have needles poked into my prostate.
New data is constantly been published and I’d prefer the least invasive like focal therapy
As long as it’s contained with a definite border I’d rather wait and watch until something is discovered that is of more interest to me.
I like Professor Thomas Seefried with his approach but I can’t afford to lose more weight.
Hi , good info thanks, I am almost 72 , went to request psa test just over 4 years ago, had the finger test and doc said I don't need one , just prostrate enlarged , normal for my age, I was having low flow and weeing 3 times in the night. September 23 lots on TV again re prostrate and my wife insisted I demand a psa test , this came back at 6.8 , I was sent for mri , follow visit I was told 60%sure it was cancer and would need biopsy, which confirmed gleeson 3+3 cancer stage T3a . I had a week to decide on treatment ie radiation or prostatectomy, I had my prostrate removed 2nd Feb 24 , 4 week and 1 day ago. Just finished blood clotting injections and doing pretty well , no pain and negligible weeing accidents, just hoping for psa 0 in the next few weeks . Take care and good luck , ken Leeds.keep up the videos.
Glad you are recovering well after your surgery Ken. Strange how different places/consultants have varied methods. I was 4+3 and was not given any options, just what I covered in the first and second videos. Keep us updated on how you are getting on please.
"He's not text me..... not sent a birthday card"..........🤣🤣🤣 Absolutely love your humour Joe. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I'm 61 and started my journey after Christmas at the docs with his trusty finger! He confirmed enlarged prostate, blood test showed PSA 9.5. Had the MRI within 7 days which showed, prostate volume of 77cc, PI-RADS 4 nodule at the interior midline at the apical level [whatever that means]. Had the biopsy earlier this week and now waiting for the results.............
Thanks for your comment. Good luck with your results. Hope they are in your favour. I did another vid on my treatment after the dreaded biopsy. Along with side effects. Might be worth a look if not already done, just to give you a heads up. Keep us updated my friend. As I have said previously, it's good to talk, especially with others, that have unfortunately joined this club.
@@delta-40 watching the second video as I type Joe. Thank you again
Thanks for your honest and courageous testimony. You are a fighter 💪🏻 (obviously 😉) i am sure you will beat this PC, in full tactical commando operation style: Search / Destroy / retreat to safety. I wish you fortitude and maximum resilience. 🙏🏻
Per mare per terram.
Hi Joe, going in for biopsy in a month after mri showed a suspicious growth and was told out of 0 to 5 for cancer
mine was 4 , im 58 and was keeping up with PSA checks but some things we cant control i guess, thanks for your
post it is good to see you talk about your journey and help with awareness of this , stay strong and keep posting !
i'm confident we live in age where we have the best help available and stand the best chance of living a long cancer free life .
Thanks mark .
Your welcome Mark. Hope all goes well. Keep us updated with the findings.
Thank you very much for sharing this. Very kind of you as it will save lives and help reduce anxiety for many who are going through this ordeal, including family member.Thank you.
Thank you. Hope you are in a good place.
Thank you for sharing your story Joe. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2023 (Gleason 3 + 4), I’ve had hormone therapy, brachytherapy, and radiotherapy which finished at the end of October. Still waiting for my first PSA test and follow up appointment. I would be interested to hear your opinion on the effects of hormone therapy, as I don’t think that they are explained well enough before starting treatment. Four months since my last hormone injection and my libido is still zero. Looking forward to the next video.
Thank you for sharing too. We both got diagnosed with the lurgi at the same time. I wonder how long before that did it started growing and spreading in my case. Glad you have had treatment and I wouldn’t be surprised if you have a very low PSA. I will be posting my second video soon and will cover what you requested. Wishing you all the best my friend.
I had my prostate out 2010 I,m now 70. I wish I could say I,m back to normal, I,m still here fighting on. you have my sense of humour, hang in there mate and good luck.
@@pauldallimore8062 56 and prostate removed, sorry to hear that Paul. But you’re still here, which is the main thing. I will do my best to make the next vid funny, if I can.
Had an enlarged prostate for ages now. Then started to lose weight unexpectedly, and as soon as I reported that to my Dr a button was pressed somewhere and the next thing I knew it was urology test, PSA test showing slightly elevated readings, MRI scan and Prostate Biopsy. Never had any of that before.I had feelings of dread waiting for the results. Convinced it would be bad news, but then the surgery called when I was walking down the road and its all clear. COULD HAVE HUGGED the first person on the street. Its such a relief. But its taught me how important it is to have that MOT test, no matter how uncomfortable you feel about it.
What was the unexpected weight loss from?
@@jenningsfamilyvlogs3342 Not entirely sure. My wife reckons it was possibly an aftereffect of a 1 week stay up in Scotland when we did a bit of walking and a change of food. But that was over 3 months ago and I lost over 10kg which was unprecedented, noticeable and a bit concerning. Could also have been a minor change in diet…drinking less fruit juice. But whatever it was I’ve regained a bit of that lost weight (3-4 kg) and my Dr is a bit happier. But been advised to have another PSA check in 3 months.
Thanks for sharing. All the best!
I appreciate your video since your path is similar to mine. PSA 10.5, 4+3 Gleason, PS Pet Scan shows 2 sub CM nodules on left lower iliac lymph nodes , some 'giz sack' involvement, and 63mm prostate. I got opinions from 2 urologists and both said radiation is best form me. I got a 6 month injection of Eligard HDT and a 90 day supply of bicalutamide to stop testosterone surge. I see a radiologist and oncologist tomorrow. I switched to the second urologist I saw after getting the biopsy, pet scan and shot under the initial urologist. I did this after discovering the first urologist no longer includes prostate cancer under his areas of expertise. One thing to be aware of is that there are treatments to prevent the colon from getting burned when the prostate is radiated. My urologist is going to inject a gel between the prostate and colon, which is becoming a standard practice. I learned that burns on the colon wall are permanent and painful for life, so why risk it? My new urologist said prostate cancer is now highly treatable and new treatments continue to come out. He likened it to the breakthroughs that stopped deaths from Aids and pointed to Magic Johnson surviving 20 years now. I too missed the warning signs. My PSA was 4 in 2019, 5 in 2021 and 10.5 three months ago. It was only the last small town doctor that called me about my PSA and demanded I see a urologist ASAP. I owe my life to him and my daughter. My daughter knew how stubborn I was about seeing doctors and called me every day for a month until I finally gave in. At 73, I thought I had an enlarged prostate, but no problem, I can deal with it later, Was a sobering experience, literally. I have cut all liquor, stopped vaping, eating better and will start an exorcise program at a local gym. I feel dumb, mad and blessed. Dumb for not fully understanding PSA, mad doctors did not alert me, and blessed that my daughter was looking out for me. Good luck bud.
Hi Terrance, thank you for posting. It’s like we’re brothas from different mothas. We are very similar indeed. Good call on changing urologist. Will have to remember about the gel. You say it’s standard practice, not sure where you are but I’m UK based. Hope that applies here. Maybe someone on here, getting NHS treatment can confirm. Wishing you all the best and keep us all updated.
Hi Joe, Google SpaceOar gel. My urologist is going to use a different brand though. The urologist said he is also going to place 3 tiny gold beads in my prostate to help the radiologist direct the radiation. It's like needing 3 satellites for pinpoint transmission. I'll let you know how my meeting goes with my urologist today. I'm going to tell him to throw everything he has at this.
Hi Joe,
I had my initial meetings today with my radiologist and oncologist. The radiologist said the spacer gel is a nice to have, but not to worry if it my insurance does not pay for it because 50% of his patients get treatment without it and do just fine. He also told me not to worry about not starting treatment for a few weeks because the HDT shot has arrested any spread. He said in the past radiation was delayed for 3 month after the shot. I'll be getting 6+ weeks of radiation 5 days a week. The oncologist said I should stop taking the drug that stops testosterone flare in in a couple weeks. He is going to put me on another drug called Abiraterone which combined with the HDT shot will increase my 10-15 year survival odds by 10%. The main side side effect is liver damage, but he is going to give me a steroid pill to diminish the effects and monitor my liver periodically via blood tests. I said OK with me...throw everything you can at it. I asked about new breakthroughs in targeted kemo and said promising treatments are advancing fast. I know someone that had it all over in his his bones and only found out when he was experiencing back pains. He a a new kemo therapy and is now cancer free. He claims his oncologist saved his life. I had a penile implant in 2019 so I don't need to worry about ED from the treatments. My problem now is that I don't have the desire to use it. The best, Terry from Minnesota - You betcha!
Hi again Terry, thanks for the prompt update. Definitely being well looked after by your new urologist. Let’s hope the cancer breakthroughs come through thick and fast. Totally agree about the lack of desire. I hope your radiation treatment goes well. Look after yourself my friend.
Hi Joe. Thanks for this superbly informative video. Wishing you the very best as you go through your treatment.
Thanks Tim
Hi Joe, Good video, well down to earth mate. Yes, I am with you on this journey. Just 3 weeks since I was diagnosed. Seems to be earlyish with a Gleeson 3+4=7. Now looking at treatments available. At 62 YO, not a great time of age to become incontinent and to have erectile dysfunction, so I may be swayed to go down the RT route rather than surgery. Will keep looking back; these videos are really useful. Does anyone reading this know of a very useful Q&A site for sufferers? Thanks Ross
Thanks Ross. Sorry you are going through this also. ED and bladder issues not nice. Wishing you all the best. Hopefully someone will respond to last Q&A question.
Ivermectin, fenbendazole, Dr Campbell videos ...
Also, Dr Mark Sholz and Alex ( pscí ) about the best site I could find.
Thank you for sharing. I have similar waterworks issues and was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate several years ago. I haven't had my psa levels checked for years but will do so now. I wish you a full recovery.
Thanks Mike, and good you are getting it checked. Fingers crossed it is only still enlarged. Out of interest what meds are you on for waterworks and do they work for you?
@@delta-40 Hi Joe, I don't take anything for the waterworks but like you, I have an underactive thyroid so take a thyroxene tablet every day. The night time visits are not bothersome to be honest - usually one visit in the early hours but the stream is very slow especially at night. Blokes eh :)! Wish you well mate.
Not sure if you watched vid 2, I presume you have as you mention thyroid. Should you ever go down the HT or Apalutamide route, keep an eye on the thyroid buddy. It can cause it to be even more underactive. Take care
@@delta-40 Will do and thanks again.
Joe, you made me laugh. your sense of humour terrific.
On a serious side, with todays new drugs and the start of the 3rd generation of drugs for prostate, like lititium 117, which is really a very progressive prostate cancer drug. binds to cancer cell, digs it way in and kill the cell with the radioactive lutitium.
anyways, like my oncol said to me, you are not dying yet. i was 74 and i asked her if she can arrange with whatever deity she recognizes that i hang around until 85, she promised me i would be around.
well, i started with Gleeson at a high of 7.3 at its worst when it came back in one corner of my prostate . i had irradiation. (brachy, i think) Diagnosed with 3+4 and 4+3)
they zapped it out in 10 minutes and i went home, thinking I was going to be 100%,
A bone scan showed a year later on a rib, i had 1 lesion, zapped out and that was 2 years ago next month. Since then, nothing shows. i am due for a bone scan in 8 days . I feel fine. the sweats get to me, but last a minute or so.
will be 82 in a few months, so getting to 85 seems like a hopeful bet.
like most guys, we follow the latest news.
On TH-cam, there is this woman who interviews this doc who is prostate cancer specialist . he explains everything out there.
that is my story.
one day it will be conquered. i am positive about that.
What a great post Peter. You are definitely a fighter and whoever is dealing with you is doing a terrific job. Just out of interest where are you in the world and where are you being treated. I’m sure you have given us all a bit of hope.
Fighter? if only that were true. I come from a family of doctors. My nephew was the first one i called after I got my initial results as to what to do, surgery or radiation?. I know a fair amount about that ( another story) so i went the Brachy way .. we are close. he said if there was any cancer that can be cured, prostate is one of the two.
i was given Erleada ( got into a program , a study) and stayed with it for about a year. found it weakened me. anemia got pretty bad and went off it with onco's o/k.
next day, i felt like superman.
one night off it and the result was amazing for me..
I dont think about it much. At my age, I see to much and I always was a fatalist. Everything is luck anyways, you find out when you get old.
to be honest ,I thought I would have to go back on the Erleada.
my onco doctor said" you are past that. not needed" . "you are doing great"
that was 1 year ago.
well so far, so good.
I am being treated in Montreal at CHUM hospital. great people, very organized and my onco ,the head honcho there. She is really very good and patient with me. tolerates me with my questions .
Thank you for sharing your story Joe, and with such good humour (I had to laugh out loud at your post examination comment "...no Xmas card, nothing.."). I am 61 & this is very informative, I am going for a PSA check next week.
Thank you Sean and best of luck with your test. Hopefully you won’t be joining the club. Keep us updated.
Thank you for posting this Joe. I have been having annual PSA tests done since I was 50. My last one a year ago was 1.44 and I have just booked another. In spite of obvious signs of BPH for a number of years, for which I am now taking medication, my last visit to my doctor a year ago left me underwhelmed with a distinct atmosphere of `why are you here?' It is bad enough that many men leave it far too long before consulting a doctor; the marked change of GP access that now exists since the C19 pandemic is making it yet more difficult. I generally contact my doctor's surgery by email and they are pretty good at responding. A PSA blood test is a simple step and, while , of its own, it is most certainly NOT the last word in prostate health, it is a useful marker, which, if done at regular intervals, typically annual for me, it at least provides a trend to be followed upon which intervention can be considered if there is a marked change between tests. Without such a historic trend, there is no way of knowing how long a raised PSA level has existed. They say ignorance is bliss, but if you are a man over 50, ignorance of your personal PSA level could prove to be the nightmare we all fear at the cost of those simple blood tests we could not be bothered to take. I wish you well, Joe.
Thanks for the comment John and well written. Wishing you all the best.
You are correct about it not being an absolute factor (PSA) towards Prostate Cancer. One of the guys in the waiting room after his biopsy told me his reading was 1.2. Showing that a high or low reading, may or may not mean you have the it.
I would extend that to anyone nearing the age of 50 too. I've just had my first PSA test at 47 (no result yet), after a couple of episodes of finding it tough to pee in the mornings. I am expecting a DRE next week, regardless of the result.
What was the size of your prostate, if you don't mind.
Thank you for this video, more men need to be open and explain about this to help save lives.
I'm no expert, but it appears the metastasis could be containable and so I hope for the best for you.
It was once thought I had Pancreatic cancer and the only way I found to deal with it was to expect and prepare for the worst result; if the worst happened then I had prepared for it, if it didn't then it was a bonus, thankfully I was given the all clear but given 50% of us will get cancer, you never know.
All the best with your journey and the trials to come, I hope you can continue to live a long happy life 🙏
Thank you Lee. Means a lot and likewise, a long and happy life to you my friend.
Joe,
Thanks for posting this video and being so open with your diagnosis. I a,so really appreciate the humor. I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in December but still doing testing to see if it’s confined or spread. Unfortunately, in the US we have to fight with the insurance companies to get some testing covered so I am trying to get a PSMA PET scan.
I don’t know what type of treatment I will end up getting but previously worked for Sandoz which at the time was the generic division of Novartis. One of my colleagues supported Novartis for the approval of Pluvicto which apparently uses a similar chemical as that used for the PSMA scan but has a radioactive isotope attached so it acts like a Prostate Cancer seeking treatment which specifically targets the Prostate Cancer cells wherever they may be. I don’t know how available it is as it was only approved in 2022 and sounds very expensive.
Best wishes for a successful treatment.
Blair
Hi Blair, I think I had a radioactive isotope, but I couldn’t tell you the brand name used. Fortunately we have the NHS in the Uk, which has its pros and cons. It’s ridiculous that you have to fight with the insurance companies, seeing as you are paying for healthcare there. Prostate cancer is no joke, 1 in 8 men will get it and it should be a priority. I wish you the very best and hope it is local to the prostate and has not spread. Keep us updated please.
Thanks Joe, still arguing with the insurance company, appreciate and will continue to watch your videos and share information. One point which may only apply in the US but get a second opinion of your biopsy slides.. Mine has been upgraded to a bit more severe 4+3=7 Gleason score bu😊 still no PET scan which I am pushing for. Insurance in the US is a disaster but most people don’t realize it as they never experienced better payment systems. US is backwards (3rd world) in this regard.
Like the openness of the channel and Wish all a positive outcome.
@@delta-40Joe, you pay 1/5 of income after tax for health insurance in Germany, until I am 66 UK pension date, I don't do paid work here as it will cause me issues with my UK pensions.. The real kicker for me is that due to the amount of treatments I needed after the botched surgery.... The insurance company have increased my payments. You can't fight the white here in Germany unless you are rich and in for a very long haul... Every day is a gift.... I consider myself lucky to be alive, my wife is wonderful about my being poorly, when we met I was 55, very fit for my age having survived many broken bones femur scull etc... The 2 hour drive home the night I needed life saving surgery was not easy for her, especially in the dark... Everyone who knows me is very understanding even my step very young grandkids.
Great info!!!my husband is needing surgery next month ! This really helps 👍😊
Thank you Lizzy. Thoughts and prayers and wishing him all the best. Keep us updated once he has had his procedure on how he is doing.
Keep your sense of Humour it does help. I’m two years down the road after radiation and hormone therapy with zoladex injections, they tell you the obvious side effects of the hormone treatment but not all of them and especially the long term affects. Keep asking questions and make your own decisions after doing the research.
Gleason 8. 3+5
Brenden
👍
Cheers Brenden. Yes absolutely, trying to keep up the humour. I keep trying to use the excuse 'I have the cancer' when I try to get away with stuff at home. Thank you for your post and wishing you the best.
Just had a PSA and it is 22.5 and waiting for the rest of my blood work to come back.
Seeking treatment and further diagnoses.
Very unexpected and mentally unnerving.
Thank you for the video,
It certainly is AW. Bet you’re not sleeping well, like most of us. Got my fingers crossed for you. Keep us all updated.
Read Jane Mclleland "How to Starve Cancer without Starving Yourself ". It a great understanding about cancer. She survived 3 bouts of different cancers. It's been a year since my operation. Doing great. Godbless
Glad you are doing great after the op Akira
Thanks Joe, down to earth explanation. Got a biopsy in a couple weeks (probably be on my 65th birthday) after returning an increased PSA of 11. Prayer mat out again, will send a few up for you.
Wishing you the best of luck Rob 🤞
Joe-thanks for the video. I am in a similar situation had 6 months of ADT -prostap and Erleada -psa dropping, 2/3rds way through radio which is fine. All in all I feel good, keeping active and not letting things get on top of me. My biopsy was very similar to yours awful , I was shaking uncontrollably afterwards . Love the humour- more videos please
Thanks Derek. Will post another soon. If you haven't already subscribe so you can be notified when I post it. Take care.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I do hope you have a good outcome. My journey, will try to keep this short.
I put off going to see a specialist, I live in Germany, when I i was still serving, I retired at 60. At 62, the German doctor was very uncaring. After biopsy, which was awful, a lack of anesthetic....I had a raging infection. He refused to treat for over 14 days. Then on antibiotics for a month. Forward to surgery.
I was told it was a difficult process, davinci.. discharged a week later. Back the next day as I was very poorly. There was a hole in my colon. Emergency LIFE saving surgery within the next two hours. Wake up, in ICU, where I spend the next 21 days alone, due to the COVID bollox. Now with a stoma to go with the catheter, and oxygen, I have asthma. Then I have to undergo surgery ever 48 hours, general anaesthetic. 12 times. Released eventually, without a catheter.... No control of pee at all. Six months later I have the stoma removed. But then have difficulty with not pooing myself, and getting some control over my pee. Forward 18 months, still don't have full control over pee or poo. But cancer free.
However, try to be as fit as you can always, as if you have to undergo surgery and especially general anaesthetic. Being unfit will add to the situation. Oh and if you have surgery, make sure you do exercises asap and keep them up to get blood flowing back into your togger!!!
If you are experiencing peeing issues don't ignore them and good luck...
Wow, you certainly have been run through the mill. Thanks for your post and look after yourself.
Thank you for sharing your story. First ket me say that you are in my prayers. You are a strong person. I am scared. I have same symptoms of enlarged prostate. My PSA was taken twice and came back as 12. I have scheduled a biopsy.
Thank you for sharing Larry. Strong? Don’t know about that, not much I can do about it, apart from warning others not follow my footsteps. If my video triggered you to get the wheels in motion then I am happy. Please keep us dated and likewise praying for some good news on your side.
You should watch also Prostate cancer research institute. Very helpful.
That medical group ....not for me. Zero personality. I prefer Dr. Kwan.
Well done Joe and good luck, I'm almost 75 and have never really had a powerful flow unlike my younger brother who was like a firemans hose who i envied everytime he used our loo. I'm peeing anything between 7 times a night starting around 4am and other nights 1 or 0 times a night. I'm basically a coward when it comes to even visiting my Dr's but plan on going next week, I suffer from extreme anxiety and panicking even now while typing this, I've no other symptoms as full of aches a pains with arthritis. Thanks for sharing lets hope its just an enlarged prostate or even Diabetes. John
Hi John and thank you for commenting. As you are probably aware, from watching the video, I’m on waterworks meds. My stream is a little better but still have my sleep interrupted at night and still have the urgency to go during the day. I’m generally up at 3am like clockwork needing to go to the toilet, probably after 3-4 hours sleep. If my video has motivated you to get checked then I have achieved my aim. Do it next week definitely and let’s hope it’s just enlarged. Get the PSA test and the dreaded DRE if your doctor is willing. Hopefully you may get some good news. My second video, Ep 2, covers my treatment updates and side effects, if you haven’t seen it. Keep your chin up John and good luck. Keep us updated it’s good to talk.
@@delta-40 Thanks for getting back to me mate I'm actually sh....ng myself Id rather the Finger than the rest as had it twice in about 30 years and wasnt at all painful. I was told by a friend the only time to worry about the index finger was when both the Drs hand are on your shoulders (soz my humour) Thanks again
😂 yes heard that before. A couple posted the same thing previously. Fingers crossed for you buddy.
My otherwise very healthy brother-in-law (65 yrs old) had his PSA tested. It was perfectly normal and he had no symptoms. In addition, his doctor gave him an in-office physical exam (finger wave). It was there that the doctor felt abnormal "bumps" on my brother-in-law's prostate. Upon further testing, he was diagnosed with a rather aggressive form of prostate cancer and ended up having his prostate removed. Thankfully, they caught it in time. The takeaway here, guys, is do not rely solely on a PSA test or any lack of symptoms for that matter. Prevention, through regular screening, is the best cure!
What T stage?
@@alliaj1 They caught it early enough and he had it removed quickly. It had not metastasized.
...outstanding video to watch. Men Talk without the glossy slippers. Thanks to you, I'm booking in with my GP today.
Thanks. Glad you are getting checked Ian. Fingers crossed all goes well.
Good video mate will be praying for you.I would like to hear about the hormone therapy if you get a chance God Bless.
Cheers William. It will be coming soon and includes HT.
Hey, great video and great you are getting the message out there.. I am 56 and have tested PSA every year since 50. Jan 23 elevated psa of 4.5. Had the dreaded Dr. DRE, MRI and biopsy. Gleason score 3+4. Cancer was cribriform and bilateral. Had the prostate removed in May 23 with a final histology of 4+3 T3b, spread to the “jizz bag”. I have spent my time encouraging others to get the test. My mates got tested and one had needed a prostatectomy also, he got others to get tested and now there are 5 of us who tested positive for prostate cancer. Please get tested guys.
Well said Dean.
I thought you can still do surveillance if you chose to for Gleason Score of 3+4, unless is 4+3. And you even go to the extreme of totally removing it. Was that solely your decision or doctor recommendation? Just asking, I am sure everyone's decision is different.
I was diagnosed in 2019. Started with PSA7.4. Had an MRI and then my first biopsy which yielded Gleason score 6. Protocol out here (NL) is then to monitor vigilantly. PSA initially dropped to 5.4 and then gradually rose with something like 0.6 point each 6 months. As a result I had over that time 3 more biopsies, all yielding Gleason score 6. Also had another MRI a year back which showed same results of 2019. Urologist is puzzled and warned me that a prostatectomy might still be necessary (Options here are robotic prostatectomy or radiation - I will not do the latter). PSA las September was 8.8. Next check end of this month. So I had 4 biopsies, two of each kind (via the colon and via the perineum). Both are bearable but I fully agree with you on the unpleasantness. I'm 100% sure (as if I needed that to know) that I'm not gay! The fact that I can live with the knowledge that I do have prostate cancer, albeit with Geason 6, is something that my urologist is keen to establish (ie quality of life etc). I have no physical complaints and I am able to simply dismiss the notion of it all. The gradual PSA increase is giving me some stress and I do sometimes think that having a prostatectomy solves the whole affair. Anyway - thanks for the video and to you and to all who already commented from the same boat: all the best and hang tough!
Like you, physically I don’t feel much different, even with Gleason 7. It’s really only the meds and the knowing that is troublesome, and as you say stressful. Hopefully your next test at the end of the month will not be too high. I wish you the best, with whatever you decide to do my friend. A lot of people have recommended ‘Ripping it out’. To date I have not been given that option, or indeed any others. You hang in there too.
Thanks! And I forgot to second your advice to ! You don't want to be caught with your pants down!!
("!" = DO YOUR PSA TESTING)
Thanks mate. I wish you all the best, and hope that it goes well for you. Its refreshing to hear your honest account. I'm like you, thyroid hadn't been checked for years with lockdown. I,m 61 and the nurses said ,"lets do a full screen". I've had the PSA test (high). MRI( area of concern), just waiting for the biopsy results. Get yourselves checked out guys.
Thank you and good luck with the biopsy. Keep us updated. Its good to talk.
@@delta-40 Thanks again Joe, I'll keep you posted.
I was diagnosed in 2020 PSA 15.8 MIR scan showed something, so had biopsy shown two areas out of 15 snipes. Glesson scale 3+3. No treatment PSA test every three months. Three months later PSA 12, 19,15, 16 Since 2021 they only do PSA every six months as second biopsy only found one of the two areas out of 15 snips. Lat two PSA were 15.8 last week 15. I try and drink tomatoe juice most days and teaspoon of bicarbonates of soda in glass of water. What they dont tell you is that cycling can give false reading and that is why cyclist get diagnosed with high PSA but high PSA doesnt mean you have cancer.
Thanks for the comment. I never knew that about cycling and PSA. Interesting about the drink. Does it help?
Apparently, ejaculatory sex within 48 hours prior to a PSA blood test can also give a falsely raised PSA result. Could someone please verify if this is true?
Yes I read that somewhere too.
@@johnparnell8571 My consultant advises no sex or exercise for 2 days before a psa test
its interesting that your psa is that high for gleason 6, Here is my situation ,Feb 22 my psa was 10.7 6 weeks later it was the same i had an MRI in May i scored piriads 3, and the first biopsy in August i had a PSA of 9.6 two weeks before my biopsy , biopsy came back as gleason 6 out of 17 cores 9 were positive i think 4 showed 50% , my next psa rose to 10.1 ,i believe these biopsies cause a lot of imflamation and cancer cells thrive on this ,anyway fast forward to JULY 2023 and i had my confirmation biopsy psa was now 11.1, that was a 13 core biopsy where only 3 cores were positive one was 5% the other two were only 1% so a massive drop ,because of the high psa i had another mri over a month ago which i havent got the results yet ,iam getting them by phone on the 4th jan, so as i type this iam still on active surveilance ,iam taking 4000 icu of vitd3 every day along with turkey tail ,reishi,lions mane etc and i exersise every second day