Dr Referals

Hello Dp_paul and welcome to the site (although I see you have been a member since April 2014

If it was my husband I would be back down the surgery making an appointment with the GP and asking for another referral but to a different hospital in the hope that they had enough urologists.

It might be helpful if you could post your original PSAs so that members could see how it has progressed.

Hopefully other members will be along to advise you though.

Best Wishes

Sandra

Edited by member 06 Jan 2017 at 18:03  | Reason: Not specified

A man shouldn't have to chase like this but the need is becoming more frequent. In the circumstances, I would ask your GP to refer you to another hospital having first checked that there was a better chance of an early appointment there. You could also lodge a complaint with PALS in the hope that the Urology Department at your present hospital might be better supported.

It is a time of the year when hospitals and the NHS already under severe pressure are are now reported by The Red Cross as being in crisis. People are being turned away from A&E and according to news on TV 2 people have died in corridors after waiting many hours to be given beds. (One died of a heart attack after waiting over 35 hours it was reported.)

UK Governments for years have been made aware of the growing problem posed by an expanding and ageing population resulting in increased demands on the NHS and appropriate care for the elderly but have not had the will to properly fund and resource this need. This is becoming a major issue for the Government, who cannot allow this to continue to deteriorate.

It may be that the hospital is being blamed when they have done nothing wrong. The nurse practitioner made the referral to urology and my understanding is that while they can make referrals for routine hospital appointments, they cannot make referrals on the cancer pathway. important to find out whether the wrong type of referral has been made rather than simply assume the hospital is failing somehow.

Hi all, finally my appointment to see the consultant has come thru for 2 weeks time (2nd Feb) as this is the initial consult I'm just wondering what this will entail. All it said on the appointment letter was a urine sample would be taken. Any info on what the day will likely be ilke ie blood tests, DRE, scans etc, would help.

I've updated my profile as brother has just been dx.

Worth a look

I would say couple of issues. Update wife if you haven't that psa tests don't relate to other cancer tests. . Ie only a biopsy will give certainty.

I can understand concern as my wife for over 30 years would know my results and obviously was key in my decision to undertake biopsy. ..ie increase in psa value in short time.

Re. Yourself. Do as advised and ensure you annual tests. Basically as long as no symptoms arise chill and enjoy life.

Having 3 and 6 months tests will give you even more comfort.

That's my take. I was told I probably had pca for at least 7 yrs..

The other option my brother took was detailed mpMRI.. as clare has posted.

He paid and lives in Australia. . You will get PI-RAD 'coding' from what is found etc .. have a Google.

His dilemma was do you then have biopsy. . He had PI-RAD 4.

He had biopsy and starts rt in a few months.

The reason I've posted is although we are brothers .. Both Gleason 7.

His psa was 3.57 and symptomatic

He is 69

I was 59 at dx and psa had moved to 7.5 I was asymptomatic

Are you unduly anxious or not ?

Perhaps it's only me. However instinctively you tend to know when to move to biopsy. . Can't explain why..

I was concerned my brother had left it about 12 months too late. However his consultant and gp. Where ok with his mpMRI outputs.

After holidaying over with us last summer and chewing it all over he opted for his first and only biopsy.

Gordon

Edited by member 20 Feb 2017 at 11:16  | Reason: Not specified

I wasn't giving a second opinion Lynn I was suggesting that asking for a second opinion is always an option.

I also said 'You could' ...in no way was I saying I was an expert.

I was trying to be helpful by flagging the Prostate Cancer UK research.

I clearly failed to be helpful so I will be withdrawing from using this community any further.

I wish all members best luck with their journeys that we all wish we were not taking.

Hi all, just an update.
Had another blood test, 3 months after my initial appointment with the consultant. Such a relief it cam back as 2.6 down from the 3.9 it was 6 months or so back. I'm due for another blood test in July & my 2nd appointment with the consultant.
Paul