Worried about my fathers recent issues

My cancer journey started via similar route, but that does not mean your father has cancer. The infection will cause a high PSA so that 54 is not a sign of serious cancer. A smooth prostate is not a sign of cancer. (Mine was knobbly)

However that high PSA from infection could be hiding a less high PSA from cancer, similar an enlarged smooth prostate from infection may be hiding an enlarged knobbly prostate from cancer so a bit of further investigation is to be considered.

It is reasonable that he should wait three months until all is settled down before further tests are done, because there is nothing to indicate cancer and his current symptoms would make further investigation for cancer impossible.

If the TWOC fails, he should request advice on self catheterization. Click on my profile picture, at the bottom of my biography are links to helpful threads, one is about self catheterization. Keep us informed, knowing whether this leads to a cancer diagnosis or an all clear will help future forum members access their own risk.

About two weeks prior to his urology appointment get another PSA test. I would just walk in to my GPs surgery and say I need a PSA test prior to my urology appointment. Some surgeries would want to see a letter from the consultant though.

Re the Medicheck pin prick PSA blood test, my experience of this on 2 occasions is that in my case it over estimated the PSA reading. In March 2018 the Medicheck reading was 6.26, in May 2018 having an injection blood sample taken by my Doctor the PSA reading came out at 3.58. When I again used the pinprick testing kit from Medicheck in Jan 2021 the reading came out at 7.54, a blood sample taken by the doctor in March 2021 gave a reading of 5.32. I was eventually diagnosed with prostate cancer and had my prostate removed late December 2021.

Ivan

Hi guys,

sorry been away on holiday so not updated

First the scan was not done in pakistan due to troubles related to the general election at the time, was abit gutted but my dad's health was excellent at the time. no catheter, no urinary symptoms etc.

he had a psa test at the end of Feb and we met with the urologist last week.

this was a mixed appointment. PSA down to 5.2 which is a significant drop.

urologist performed a DRE as the original one was done by a general doctor on the ward.

DRE revealed a single small lump on the left side. right side feels fine.

Dad is scheduled for a biopsy on the 19th. skipping and MRI due to his pacemaker.

Urologist was excellant did make it clear that it is suspicious but also made a point to note that with the low PSA and what he can feel, his opinion is it that its something in its earlier stages.

now it's obviously not the best news but given my dad's 67 and we have had a strong history of very late stage cancers in the family, we are optimistic that if it is malignant that its early and has lots of treatment/curative options.