Prostate Problems

[Mjc]

I have very recently been diagnosed as having cancer in the prostate gland. I am waiting for my next appointment, but am very confident that it has been caught in the early stages and that treatment will be successful.
However, the point of this message, based on my own experience, is to urge all males over 50 to have a regular check for prostate problems. It is simple, it is quick and even if you have some of the "old man problem" symptons, in most cases it will not be cancer - which most men fear, and is nearly always treatable. However, the longer you delay your visit to the doctor, the greater the possibility of giving yourself a more serious problem.
My urologist tells me that most men wait until too late, whereas women are much more sensible in having a check up for breast and cervical cancer.
If anyone would like further information, do not hestitate to post a message to this forum. If I can, I shall be happy to reply.

[Jon 1]

Unfortunately it is not I feel just a simple matter of contacting your GP. Prostate problems are very diagnostically complex and in the UK I think it can often make little difference how early you visit your doctor re prostate problems. The main diagnostic techniques employed by our GPs are usually the digital rectal examination, and at the most a psa blood test. Neither are accurate in indicating prostate cancer. The psa test is very fallible. In fact the psa test may show a false positive. BPH produces symptoms virtually identical to those of prostate cancer so a great many GPs tend to treat most cases as being simply BPH which is prevalent in about 50% of males over 50. UK GPs also tend to drag their feet over specialist referral, perhaps because of the prevalence of BPH in the over 50s. They prescribe quite toxic drugs which have significant side effects and are rather blinkered in their approach to more natural paliative treatment. These drugs in themselves can distort future psa tests leading to a lower ratio. Having gone through a great deal of the current literature I feel the best approach is prevention through diet and natural treatments. Being a site for the discussion of things French it is interesting that our French and German neighbours prescribe more natural treatments as a first line response in 90% of cases of BPH. The medical jury is still out I feel on the benefits of wholesale screening for the over 50s. Due to diagnostic problems there is a significant body of opinion which feels that screening can do more harm than good leading to worry and unecessary and potentially painful procedures. This opinion on screening is not directly related to your circumstances. I wish you well and every success in your treatment. I found Professor Plant's book 'The Plant Programme' very interesting regarding a dietary approach. Her approach could be quite significant I feel when followed in conjunction with conventional therapy, and is certainly worth analysis and consideration.

[Chrissie]

>My urologist tells me that most
>men wait until too late,
>whereas women are much more
>sensible in having a check
>up for breast and cervical
>cancer.


You couldn't be more right in urging men to have this sort of thing checked early - I nagged my husband regarding his prostate symptoms and when he went for a check they found a cancerous growth. It was removed, there was no need for further treatment, and after 10 years of check-ups there has been no recurrence.

Get to the doctor, you men!
Chrissie

[Mjc]

The purpose of this message is two-fold.

Firstly, to say that I have just had my operation - the new technique of radio active "seed" implant, and all seems to be well so far. So, if anyone else is in a similar position and would like further help or information, do not hesitate to contact me.

Secondly, and as importantly, this is to say thank you to all the kind people who, in responding to the initial thread, contacted me one way or another to wish me well. Such thoughts and kindnesses from complete strangers were very much appreciated and supportive.