Shropshire Star

Men must have prostate cancer test

I am writing this letter in the hope that it will save men’s lives. I am 78 and I have prostate cancer.

Published
In March hundreds of men turned out for prostate cancer screening in Madeley

Early last November, I broke a rib and I had a CT scan to see if there was any fluid on the lungs. Instead it showed a shadow on the bone near the prostate. I had a PSA test at the hospital and I was told it was 26, advanced prostate cancer stage four. I am having hormone therapy and I have had three chemos and have three to go. This will prolong my life by three years.

I have no symptoms, no pain, the NHS guidelines are, that if you have any, they will investigate it. Too late with prostate cancer, it’s a silent killer.

I asked my GP if I could have the prostate removed, he said the horse has bolted and then said did you know when elderly men have been killed in a car crash, the autopsy shows most had prostate cancer. It doesn’t say a lot for the NHS.

They should offer the PSA test to all men over 60, it’s not accurate but it’s the only thing that may save your life. Get a base line and every year have another one to see if it has increased and reached a critical level, seven in my case. They then should give you an MRI scan, in my opinion, to detect any abnormalities so they can do an accurate biopsy.

Get the PSA test now, don’t wait. Owen, a friend of mine, went to his GP complaining of lower back pain, at the same time as mine was found. It’s too late for him, he is going next week into a hospice. He is 75.

We are living proof that the NHS is not working and if your GP asks why you want a test, say I want to live, I don’t want to die, that’s the bottom line. NHS pushes the flu jab but not the PSA test and I am having them about every two months and at the moment it has dropped to two. But I am not fooled; I know it will flare up.

I have recently seen my GP and told him all of this. He said if he were in my position he would have to agree with me. The doctors and nurses at the hospital are superb.

So get it done, it’s over in six minutes, think of your family, relatives and friends.

Name and address supplied

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