Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Prostate Cancer 😢

16 replies

Msqueen33 · 06/12/2017 14:54

My dad has just been told he has prostate cancer. He went for his biopsy last week and also had an MRI and is due a bone scan due to a mass on his pelvis. I’m paranoid that it has spread and that I could lose my dad.

He’s amazing and his 3 grandkids (two of whom have special needs) adore him.

I’ve probably ready too much but I’m so scared in case it has spread.

OP posts:

mumof06darlings · 06/12/2017 18:35

We had the same news from my dad a few years ago. It was really hard waiting on the Mri results. He got on great tg and his cancer is being v v closely monitored. It's one of the best cancers for men and for my dad, he still hasn't needed treatment for it.

Fingers crossed for your dad 💐Xx

madamy · 06/12/2017 18:42

I'm a prostate cancer nurse. Please try not to worry too much. There are loads of treatments available for prostate cancer, even when it has spread. Do you know the details of his biopsy or what his PSA is? The MRI is to stage the cancer so that the correct treatment can be given and a level of risk calculated. The bone scan is to check for spread as you said as the most common place is into the bones. However, many men with even advanced prostate cancer have really active lives with the cancer having little impact.
All the best x

Original poster

Msqueen33 · 06/12/2017 19:40

Thank you both. I think it’s just that cancer is such a scary word.

@madamy his psh level was 6.5. He had his biopsy done yesterday where they took 18 samples. He only went for a check as a friend of his was diagnosed. He feels fine in himself and has no symptoms.

That’s really reassuring to hear about treatment options for him. He’s such a lovely dad and I hate to think of not having him with us.

@mumof06darlings that’s really great to hear thank you. I hope your dad continues to stay well.

OP posts:

mumof06darlings · 06/12/2017 19:54

My dads level is now up to 9. It had been increasing by 1 or thereabouts for the last 20ish months since he was diagnosed.

Cancer is an awful world and until it hits a family member then that's when your world comes crashing down. Before I'd hear of people being diagnosed of cancer and I'd be full of sorrow for them by until it hits a member of your family, then it's a different feeling altogether. Your dad sounds like my dad- an amazing man. He truly is as healthy and you would never know he has it. He is due for another biopsy next year but he has been having regular check ups ever 6 months with his consultant where it is being monitored by the levels in his blood. It's a scary thing to hear of a parent like this, but I'm not scared now. At first I was telling them to get it out of him now, couldn't bear for my dad to be walking around with cancer but it's too early for all that. The consultant has told him that it won't kill him so I'm crossing my fingers for your dad. Cancer doesn't have to be the scary word in everyone's case iykwim. Best wishes.

Musicaltheatremum · 06/12/2017 21:21

OP. the PSA is really low and depending on his age may not even be that far above the upper limit of normal for his age so really early. I have a patient who's PSA was 139 and that was 5 years ago, if not more, ago. It is usually a really treatable cancer. Hope the outcome is good. The biopsies may even be negative as the PSA can be high due to the size of the prostate.

Musicaltheatremum · 06/12/2017 21:22

Apologies op sounds as if he does have the results of the biopsy. I should read more carefully.

lizsparkles · 06/12/2017 21:39

Apart from taking treatment and meds, I strongly suggest you consider having completely alkaline food for your dad.

Then consider drinking turmeric water everyday 4 times. Then a fruit named Graviola is extremely good for cancer. Google search for it. I suggest you ask your dad to have it as well.

This can be reversed if done carefully.

madamy · 06/12/2017 23:41

Sorry lizparkles, but that's a load of non-evidenced based rubbish.

OP and others, please look at reputable websites for advice - Prostate Cancer UK is great. They have a helpline staffed by nurse specialists too.

TheHodgeHeg · 07/12/2017 01:21

@lizsparkles you are so full of shit!! I can't believe you're coming on here and posting such bullshit. Seriously. An alkaline diet and fruit does not cure cancer. If it did there would be trials and evidence. There's nothing. Everyone has their "wonder cure" when it comes to cancer. It's all bullshit.

Sorry about your dad op, try not to worry until our get the results and know the full picture.

If it is cancer you'll find lots of people like lizsparkles come out of the woodwork with their helpful suggestions and wonder cures. Some mean well, some are after your money. Best to ignore. My MIL was killed (or at least her demise hastened) by a similar quack so please be careful.

Original poster

Msqueen33 · 07/12/2017 08:42

@Musicaltheatremum no results of biopsy just yet. It’s reassuring to hear that his level is still considered low. He’s 70. It’s so reassuring to hear from others. I keep hoping it’s not cancer but because how lumpy his prostate feels and his psa level has risen and the growth in his pelvis we’ve been told that’s what it is. He seems to be taking it in his stride but he normally internalises everything.

OP posts:

Vierna · 08/12/2017 08:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Msqueen33 · 12/12/2017 16:55

@madamy my dad went for his bone scan at 10.15 today and I’ve not heard a word from him or my mum. Would it normally take so long? They’ve also got some other results back so am assuming it’s his biopsy results. I’m worried sick that I’ve not heard from them.

OP posts:

dahliaaa · 14/12/2017 00:00

Hi OP my DH sadly has advanced prostate cancer with wide spread to the bones and lymph nodes but his PSA was in the thousands when he was diagnosed (with no symptoms!)
Hopefully with that PSA they have caught your dads early. There are lots of treatment options available - hope you get answers soon.

Original poster

Msqueen33 · 14/12/2017 20:43

@dahliaaa thank you. The bone scan was clear but they do think its spread so they’re talking about radiotherapy and hormones treatment 😕

OP posts:

Nottsangel2015 · 14/12/2017 21:40

Hi op. My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer just over a year ago. He is also in his early 70’s. I can’t remember the PSA or anything however it was found because he actually had problems with his prostate so physical sumptoms. Over the last year the doctors have been very relaxed and he has only just finished his radiotherapy in summers they waited 9 Months to do it! The consultant has said basically he will die naturally before this gets him. He is on hormone treatment as well. This will be for life. There are a few side effects but nothing in comparison. What a previous poster said is correct. For men this is the best cancer to be diagnosed with in terms of prognosis etc... good to hear the scans are all clear. Don’t let the thought of radiotherapy scare you. It’s not too bad at all. It is a pain going everyday but your only there 30 mins. My dad didn’t lose his hair or anything like that. Cancer does sound scary but I’m so thankful this is all he got diagnosed with because you would never know! Sending lots of

dahliaaa · 15/12/2017 00:37

Msqueen33 that's very good news that the bone scan is clear.
If they do find that it has spread somewhere in the end it may be what's referred to as 'locally advanced'. It's all very complicated but this has a much better prognosis than 'advanced' (which basically means widespread tumours.)

He'll probably be offered hormone treatment and possibly radiotherapy. If they find that there's no spread then they may offer surgery.

Anyway focus on the good news for now :-)

Flip