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86 and invited for an PSA Test

User
Posted 09 Apr 2025 at 11:22

I am the Carer of my 86 year old husband. He has just had a letter asking him to book a PSA test prior end of month and I have duly done this. I thought routine screening stopped  at around 70? Recently he has had some urinary incontinence to the point of the pads being soaked  - he has a damaged bowel. He blanks me when I try to discuss it. He can be very verbally abusive so limited to how far I can push him.

 

If I understand correctly, Prostrate Cancer is slow growing, so if last years PSA test had been high then given his age and co morbidities, would we have been told? But the incontinence MAY suggest that if he has it it has spread? We are at different Surgeries so not easy to speak to his GP. He is very deaf so a phone conversation is always a challenge.

 

What sort of questions should I be asking? Would it even be diagnosed given his age if the PSA test was high again. Would treatment even be offered? I really need to make GP aware of the urinary incontinence but husband would just say I was 'lying' if  I wrote to the Surgery. He really is in denial and I am convinced has some form of Dementia maybe FTD. 

User
Posted 09 Apr 2025 at 17:12

Hello Leonora

I'm sorry to hear that your husband is unwell. Life must be difficult for you caring for him.

Has he ever been diagnosed with prostate cancer? You mention that he had a PSA test last year. Do you know the result.

His PSA could be elevated by other non cancerous prostate condition and urinary infections. All these could be causing his incontinence. IF he has prostate cancer, due to his age, I doubt any radical treatments would be offered. However, he could still get treatment to ease the condition and hopefully improve his and your quality of life.

Good luck. 👍

 
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