We have a bizarre situation with PSA testing.
We have people like Bill Turnbull and now Nick Owen announce that they have Prostate Cancer, and this promotes a rush of white males over 50 (like Messrs Turnbull and Owen) to ask their GP for a PSA test.
Sadly, this is often refused as the Patient does not "meet the Profile" i.e. they are not Asian nor Afro-Caribbean; there is no history of cancer in the male line of the patients family. The fact that they are over 50 is not enough to sway the decision not to allow a PSA test.
On the other side of the coin it would appear that those who are vulnerable - in the Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities - are rather reluctant to volunteer for PSA testing.
Both these scenarios can lead to unnecessary loss of life.
During my 11 years of living with prostate cancer, I have met numerous Urology Consultants, and a few Oncologists.
4 years ago the Head of Urology in a large hospital in the North West informed me, after reading my notes, that he would never have authorised a PSA test for me. I said "then I would be dead".
He replied "Perhaps."
When the "top of the tree" has that attitude, GP's will be reluctant, or even afraid to authorise a PSA test for their patients who do not "tick all the boxes."
18 months after my ProstateCancer was diagnosed, I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer, following a self-administered Bowel Cancer Screening Test. My Colorectal surgeon said that it was unfortunate that I had 2 different forms of Cancer which occurred one inch apart from each other.
Ten years later I think that I am VERY FORTUNATE to have had both my cancers discovered at an early stage, which allowed Medical Staff to intervene when it mattered. My Bowel cancer had not metastasised through the wall of the bowel, and I had a ten hour operation (Lower Anterior Resection with Ileostomy and stoma) where eight inches of bowel were removed. 8 months later the ileostomy was reversed, and I resumed my full life again. My Bowel Cancer has been removed. I have changed my diet and exercise regularly, and I still complete an annual Bowel Cancer Screening Test. I had a colonoscopy last year, and every inch was clear.
My Prostate Cancer has been managed for 11 years by quarterly injection and a daily tablet, and BY REGULAR PSA TESTING. I have never had to endure any Chemotherapy nor any Radiotherapy for either of my cancers.
I play golf three times a week, cycle to the golf course, and have visited Australia, Thailand, South Africa, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
I am alive, and well and annoying people all over the planet because both my cancers were diagnosed early, through simple (though perhaps messy) tests.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS SAVES LIVES.
DENYING PSA TESTS TO MEN OVER 50 CAN RESULT IN DEATHS.
Please, PROSTATE CANCER UK, will you spend some of the money we raise for you in re-educating the Medical Profession that ALL MEN OVER 50 IRRESPECTIVE OF RACE OR COLOUR DESERVE TO HAVE A PSA TEST IF THEY WANT ONE.
Lots of men have are wary of Prostate Cancer testing because of the dreaded DRE. They must be assured that DRE's are a thing of the past.
Perhaps it would be an idea to show men how easy it is to have a PSA test, by recording and then broadcasting someone having a PSA test, and then showing what happens in the Pathology Lab when the blood is analysed. Both Sky Sports and the BBC are supporters of Prostate Cancer UK. What about showing the recording during a break in a Premier League Soccer match, or an International Rugby match or a Cricket match?