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My uncle's cancer is not getting better :(

User
Posted 05 Nov 2015 at 20:13

I am a 16 years old and my very close uncle was diagnosed with Prostate cancer 7 years ago and he is still having on going treatment from a private doctor.

Over the last couple of years his PSA count has increased. After his recent appointment the doctor told him that PSA count is 11. And his Gleason sr.u. score 3+5=8.

He was previously on Casadex but the doctor changed into Estracyt tablets. He is also taking Zolondex injections.

I am really worried about him so i went on line to look at the medication and spoke to a specialist nurse using the help number (which was really helpful)

If i am correct Estracyt medicationis a form of chemotherapy?

I am really worried because i feel like the private doctor is not giving him the right treatment. I dont understand why he has been on medication and injections for 7 years...

Would it be better if he goes through Radiotherapy or to get his prostate removed?

I would very much like some advice and guidance.

Thank you

User
Posted 05 Nov 2015 at 21:54

Hi Shaminda
I am not sure whether you are 16 or 26 but you sound quite young and it may be that your uncle didn't really want you to know about his situation in too much detail. Since you have asked the question here, it would be unfair to ignore you but I am afraid you might find it very upsetting in which case you should talk to your mum or dad or another person who is close to you.

Your uncle has a type of prostate cancer that is incurable so there is no point him having surgery or radiotherapy. It sounds like he has been on hormone treatment for all these years (which is normal practice for someone with advanced disease) but the hormones have stopped working so well and they have now added another tablet which is part chemo, part hormone blocker. Some men can go for many years just with the hormones whereas for other men, it only works for a very short time - your uncle has been fairly fortunate that the hormones have worked well for him up till now, but they do not last forever.

You will be very sad to know that your uncle is not going to get better but it sounds like his doctor is doing all the right things - I think that if your uncle trusts him then you should too.

It would be a good idea to make sure someone in the family knows that you have been trying to find information - they may not realise how worried you are and will carry on trying to protect you from the sad stuff.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 05 Nov 2015 at 23:35
Lyn, and also very caring xx

Mo

Shaminda

Very wise words from Lyn. A lot of men find it very hard to talk about this disease with younger relatives. It can be very personal for them.

I hope you get some clarity and support soon

Xx

Mo

 
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