Prostate Cancer

Quite. Wodney prefers the head buried in the outback approach.

Thanks for the reminder Bill, I've just ordered my home test kit.

Nope, I do in fact get a PSA test done every year with the routine annual blood test. And it is always negative. But if I did see a significant increase in the PSA level, I would certainly not demand an immediate biopsy given that well over 70% of my age group are known to have prostate cancer which will not kill them or even see bad symptoms. I have no symptoms at all of prostate cancer. If I did see a continuing signigicant increase in the PSA level, I would certainly have one of the fancy MRI tests but I don't know if that is even available here.

The NHS website seem quite dismissive of the blood test?

Tim+ formulated the question :

It was suggested to be something new and being evaluated on BBC's Morning Live.

I asked both my consultant and my GP 'have you ever taken ANY of the drugs you prescribe?'

None had.

At leats my last GP was honest 'its a question of finding the best overall reduction of symptoms and increase in life expectancy. Come back if you aren't doing well on them'

And for sure I wasn't. All the blood pressure pills I took reduced blood pressure, but I really didn't like wandering around in alternate realities in a state of mild confusion, swelling up , having splitting headaches, or feeling that really the easiest thing to do was give up and die.

I am only exaggerating slightly. :-)

I am not sure that is so.

Removing a lung or a breast is probably equivalent.

I accept the a lump in the breast is easier to spot than a lump in a lung. And a lump in a testicle is blindingly obvious compared to a lump in an ovary.

People I have known who have died of cancer have died of pancreatic(2) , bowel (2), breast (1) and prostate(3). I thought I would be the one to die of lung cancer, but so far not yet.

And in my friends case, bowel cancer. That wasn't in his bowel when they found it and would not have been spotted if they had tested.

I had the best form of cancer, easily spotted early, and easy to remove all the affected tissue, and highly susceptible to chemotherapy.

Home test kit for prostate? Is there such a thing?

Don't see why not. The ONS Covid-19 survey switched over to "DIY phlebotomy" some months ago, and will soon be asking people to post their samples to the lab. But I'd urge caution about tests that say its "just a finger prick". I've seen several that - like the ONS one - are not like a blood sugar test which just needs a drop or 2. They want a whole half a ml! If you've poor circulation in your hands that can take several lancets.

Indeed! I was invited to take part, but despite doing all the preparation as instructed, it took me 3 fingers to get barely sufficient for the test.

Chris

The group behind most of the local charity PSA tests, the Graham Fulford Chritable Trust, added home testing kits at the beginning of COVID when most of the public testing events were cancelled.

You might find a local testing event on the site too, as these have started up again now.

Andrew

I'm used to the diabetic finger prick test, and I usually whirl my arm round a few times to get the bood flowing, and after a few whirls I can usually squeeze out a drop.

I had one of these home blood kits to do, which involved warming my hand in water for a few minutes, followed by a completely different lancet than I am used to. Routinely, I whirled my arm around. That worked really, really well, and I got enough blood for the test easily enough, and then spent the next 30 minutes cleaning blood off the kitchen cabinets, the floor, the ceiling, the table ....

With the onset of Covid, my routine 6 monthly hospital prostate checks reduced to a PSA blood test followed by a phone call.

In January, there was a little *set to* with the phlebotamist (clearly badly overworked) when she agreed I could keep wearing my pullover rather than take off my face mask. She then whinged about the small size of my blood vessels and got very cross when I pointed out that drinking high levels of fluids was not a wise move for someone with prostate issues and faced with a *non queuing system* and no convenient toilet.

Apparently the patients who appeared to jump the queue, had appointments whereas walk ins took a turn. I am sure there is a toilet at North Herts! The one across the corridor from phlebotomy seems to have been incorporated in the pharmacy:-(

I do a monthly blood glucose finger prick, because my mother was diabetic for a while (possibly caused by a medication, because it went away, but I'd got into the habit of periodic testing anyway). At least I do know I'm not diabetic (many diabetics don't know they are), and if I became so, I would know pretty quickly. One of the prostate cancer medications can push you more towards diabetes so it was also good to monitor during that (mine went up by 1.3mmol/l but was still within normal range, and has now returned to original level having finished that drug).

For the home blood tests by post which require a 0.8cc blood tube (about

There are some blood tests for which a tourniquet mustn't be used because they change the result, but unlikely to be any you'd do at home.

Andrew

Yes there is, available online from JR Biomedical Ltd for around £20. I used mine yesterday and my PSA level is below 4!

It looks a bit like a Covid lateral flow test kit! You take a blood sample and put it into the test unit and after 10 mins or so it gives an indication if you are above or below 4.

I would not recommend that test, because you should be monitoring the exact value. You would not be able to see if your PSA went from 1.0 to

See the home test I posted about a few days ago which gives you PSA to two decimal places for £25.

Andrew

Isn't it possible to get it done free via the GP and the wider NHS?

That's what I do.

That's fair comment but as I hadn't had a test for some years, I don't have a base comparison to make.

Maybe next year I will try the one you mentioned.

Indeed it *should* be possible but it involves a lot of effort where I am, (i.e getting thru on the phone to the surgery, half a gallon of petrol to get there and back and at least an hour of my time) whereas a Home Test kit suited my purpose exactly and gave me an instant result.