Hi Phil
Sorry to hear about your symptoms, I know how worrying it is to see the word "Urgent" and "Cancer" on your doctors referral but it means your GP surgery are efficient and caring.
Most important of all..... Don't Panic, it changes nothing. Make sure you talk to family and friends to offload your concerns and above all try to avoid the temptation of getting info through Doctor Google.
If your PSA is raised you will probably be sent pretty quickly for an mri scan which takes about 20 minutes and is a doddle. They may inject some dye into your blood via a canula in your hand but that's it. They gave me headphones and a selection of playlists to choose from to cover up the banging and clanging of the scanner.
My next stage was then a biopsy, this is when it gets interesting. I went in for a transperenial biopsy under local anaesthetic. An ultrasound probe goes in your backside and the biopsy samples (15-25) are taken via a needle that goes in just below your nadgers. 8 out of 10 men find this easy enough however I apparently have a very narrow back passage and found the probe too painful. They immediately stopped and reassured me that I was the same as many other men and that I could come back in two weeks for the same procedure under general anaesthetic.
Yesterday (13 feb) was the big day. It all went swimmingly well, a little bit of discomfort afterwards as expected but I have to stress there was no pain, not once.
I now have to wait for the results.
Please Phil, try not to worry about the process, the doctors and nurses are kind and caring and have your best interests at the forefront.
The only thing you MUST be prepared to contend with is that on arrival at the hospital on biopsy day, you leave your dignity in the waiting room.
I hope it goes well for you and that reading about my experience helps to reassure you.
Keep on rocking
Muzza
Broomfield Hospital. Chelmsford, Essex