just been told i have T3 locally advanced prostate cancer

User

Posted 26 Sep 2018 at 01:45

HI, I am a 60 years old, and i have today been told i have T3 locally advanced prostate cancer, still trying to take all this in at the moment, my psa level is 21.2, dont really know what this all means just yet, as i am only seeing the oncologist this week, so not even sure of the treatment i will be given other than the hormone tablets i was handed today by the hospital, i am employed as a bus driver and the company i work for are now talking about capability to do my job, so not sure how much longer i have left in there employment, was wondering if there is any benefits i am able to claim if i do get finished up from work, or maybe even allowed to go part time, any help would be really useful

User

Posted 26 Sep 2018 at 09:12

Hi Stephen,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. If they've put you on hormone therapy (HT), this most likely indicates that the planned treatment will be radiotherapy (RT), which will probably be done after you've been on HT for six months or so.

There's no reason at all that you can't continue to work normally during HT. You'll probably need some time off while you're having the RT (which is administered daily, Monday to Friday, in either 20 or 37 "fractions") because it often causes side effects such as severe diarrhoea, which I imagine would be a significant issue for a bus driver.

I'd suggest that you download the information sheets about treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer and its side effects from this site, and speak to the nurses on the freephone number. They are very helpful and knowledgeable.

To re-emphasise, though, there's no reason at all that your diagnosis should mean the end of your working life. It's a very treatable condition.

All the best,

Chris

User

Posted 26 Sep 2018 at 09:29

HI Stephen

I think the company are jumping the gun a bit here. Prestate cancer is not one of the medical conditions that has to be notified to DVLA even for PCV/LGV drivers. I am a T3b and at 69 am semi-retired but still sailing through my annual medicals and still driving buses and trucks.

As you go through all of the various tests and decide on the treatment pathway, as part of that decision making you will be able to discuss the possible side effects of the treatments and how those side effects might impact on your work.

With radiotherapy there are the practicalities of arranging time for appointments, etc.and the treatment can make you tired which would not be compatible with driving but these things need to be talked about as part of your ongoing discussions with your medical team and your employers. Don't write yourself off or let them do so as I am sure that there is plenty of life in the old dog yet. I was driving school trips to London last week, doing a couple of contract runs this week as well as delivering some trailers and doing two funeral escorts with the motorbike.

Have a read of the Toolkit on this site as it gives you excellent information that enables you to prepare questions for your team. The good folk on this site are a fount of knowledge and wisdom and I am sure they will help out with answers to questions you may have

All the best

Kevan

Edited by member 26 Sep 2018 at 09:36 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 26 Sep 2018 at 09:31

don't make any decisions until you have finished your initial treatment and have come to terms with this disease. Being diagnosed with cancer really messes your mind up for a while, I nearly signed up for redundancy 6 months after my diagnosis 3 years ago - so glad I didn't now!!

User

Posted 26 Sep 2018 at 10:49

Hi,

Sorry to see you here...
Your treatment path will be different to mine, so I can't advise you regarding that..

Your company has a duty of care to you as an employee.....
You also have certain rights at work if you are affected by cancer... It might be worthwhile to check out the link below ...it may or not be helpful

Best wishes

Luther

https://be.macmillan.org.uk/be/p-21043-your-rights-at-work-when-youre-affected-by-cancer.aspx

User

Posted 26 Sep 2018 at 11:18

I agree from what you tell us that it is likely that it is proposed to give you HT + RT. If this is so, apart from possible diarrhea, it is also highly likely that for a time you will need to urinate more frequently. So my advice in such circumstances would be to get one of the systems whereby you have a urine bag attached to your leg and this is connected to your penis by a tube and replaceable sheath. I got this later on but wish I had had it at the outset of RT.

Keep us posted.

Barry

User

Posted 26 Sep 2018 at 17:05

Stephen,

Sorry you have joined our group here. However with the diagnosis you become protected by the Disability laws.

As Luther suggests download the booklet, or give them a call and they will post it to you.

Best of luck,

Graham

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