So......These have been a few eventful months

For sometime my wife encouraged me to have a PSA test - the test that could indicate the presence of prostate cancer. I didn't see any urgency as I had no (and still don't have any) outward symptoms.

Well, long story short, I finally approached my surgery a few months ago to have the test. The doctor phoned me about the request and after explaining that it was not a reliable test, just a possible indicator. He said that some men with high PSA could be cancer free, while others with low PSA could have cancer. For this reason it is not a usual screening test, but in this instance he agreed to it.

Taking the blood was simple and happened a few days later. This was followed by a few days of waiting before I finally got a call to go in and see the Doctor about my results on July 13.
 
At that consultation I was told that my PSA was elevated above the normal level and this suggested something was going on. My GP explained that it did not necessarily mean cancer as there were other reasons the level could be elevated, but it warranted investigation.

His initial investigation, the "infamous" digital exploration provided not more information. His view was that the prostate he could feel seemed normal in size and shape and ordinarily would not be a cause for concern. He did however want to refer me to a specialist unit.

The next thing that happened was that I was invited in for an MRI scan of the pelvic region on July 27. This was a case of literally lying in a noisy tube for 40 minutes listening to pretty average music. I was disappointed that it was not like the yellow submarine themed machine I had seen online
 
MRI with submarine covering 
 
 Two days later I sat with the specialist (and a student) to hear the verdict. The both repeated the "digital" examination - I was getting used to it by then! - and agreed with the GP that what they felt gave no cause for alarm. However the MRI did show something was happening in my prostate and with the elevated PSA they were definitely concerned. To my eyes they looked a little puzzled too. The specialist sought to reassure me that there was a range of possible outcomes and that his colleagues had a battery of treatments. He repeated something my GP said, that many men die with prostate cancer, rather than die of prostate cancer.

Long and the short was that he wanted a biopsy of the prostate to learn more about what was happening. Given the spectrum out outcomes and treatments there was no point spiraling and assuming the worst. 
 
My view was until we knew more I would not worry unduly.
 
 
 
 
 

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