I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error
ο»Ώ

Slowly slowly

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 04 Jul 2025 at 17:47

I was wondering what experience others have had with the speed in which things happen. It’s probably just me being anxious as don’t like the thought of this cancer continuing to grow inside me untreated. Had my MRI results on 19th May (PIRADS 5 - T3a). Biopsy done 5th June. Met urology consultant for biopsy results 24th June (Gleason 4+3).

Now waiting for bone scan and oncologist. The oncologist appointment just came through for 31st July. That’s nearly another month. Not heard when bone scan will be done. My preference is for robotic prostatectomy depending what the oncologist says, so wonder how long I’ll be waiting for that.

Sorry, I’m not usually impatient but time is dragging at the moment.

User
Posted 04 Jul 2025 at 19:25

Dave ,my GP missed a PSA test (2010) and I was diagnosed three years later(2013) I then waited four months for the new robot to be installed at ours hospital. Earlier intervention may have given a better chance of eradicating the cancer. 11 and a half years on from diagnosis I have started HT treatment to now control the cancer. . I had possible symptoms 23 years ago. You will see it said that prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer, I think of it as a dripping tap in a bowl,  it holds on but then eventually starts to overflow. My preference was surgery so I didn't see an oncologist, both options supposedly have similar outcomes in terms of eradicating the cancer, it's the side effects that vary. 

Good luck with your choice.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 04 Jul 2025 at 22:58

Hi Davey

I don't think I ever saw an oncologist. Plenty of urologists but never an oncologist.

I was diagnosed during Covid. Gleason 8 (3+5) later updated Gleason 9 (4+5), T3a. It was two months after my bone scan that my RALP was first scheduled. That was cancelled on the day. I was booked in for another about six weeks later, that too was cancelled at the last minute. I eventually had the operation five months after the bone scan.

I was assured that, despite having a high Gleason and capsular breached staging, the five month waiting time was nothing to worry about. πŸ€”

Edited by member 04 Jul 2025 at 23:00  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 05 Jul 2025 at 01:10

Hi Davey,

Waiting times can vary considerably for the various tests and actual treatment depending how busy they are and how long treatment lists are at your hospital.  Assuming the bone scan is clear and there are no contraindications, you could ask the Surgeon's Secretary what the waiting time for surgery is and get pre op done early so you could get on the operating list asap and say you would be happy to have the surgery at short notice to take a cancelled slot of another patient, if in need you are able to do this.

Barry
User
Posted 05 Jul 2025 at 07:22
Hi Davey

I was also diagnosed T3a ,I opted for surgery at Solihull hospital which I had in Jan 2025 ,I was advised that the average waiting time was 62 days.

This proved to be a fairly accurate figure ,I did say that I would accept a cancellation to try and bring it forward ,I did not get one but 2 out of the 6 guys on the ward did ,so it’s worth a try .

My cousin is currently waiting for surgery at the same hospital ,his predicted wait time is slightly longer than mine was.

Good Luck

John

User
Posted 05 Jul 2025 at 09:16
With that T3A they may try to persuade you radiation is the better option. Might also be to discuss output from the bone scan. Can't think of any other reason to see an ONCO if you are eligible for RP and don't want RT.

Ask the Onco secretary or go see them privately.

User
Posted 10 Jul 2025 at 11:16

Hi Davey,

I'm very sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis, mate. I'll keep everything crossed for the both of you. 🀞

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 04 Jul 2025 at 19:17
Fortunately I had no need for a bone scan but here are my timelines for comparison:

PSA β†’ MRI 22 Days

MRI β†’ Biopsy 21 Days

Biopsy β†’ Positive Diagnosis (Gleason 3+4) 22 Days

Positive Diagnosis β†’ RARP 26 Days

User
Posted 04 Jul 2025 at 19:25

Dave ,my GP missed a PSA test (2010) and I was diagnosed three years later(2013) I then waited four months for the new robot to be installed at ours hospital. Earlier intervention may have given a better chance of eradicating the cancer. 11 and a half years on from diagnosis I have started HT treatment to now control the cancer. . I had possible symptoms 23 years ago. You will see it said that prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer, I think of it as a dripping tap in a bowl,  it holds on but then eventually starts to overflow. My preference was surgery so I didn't see an oncologist, both options supposedly have similar outcomes in terms of eradicating the cancer, it's the side effects that vary. 

Good luck with your choice.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 04 Jul 2025 at 22:27

Hi Chris

You say “My preference was surgery so I didn't see an oncologist”. My preference too is for surgery and I thought my appointment with the oncologist was to discuss the results of the SMDT meeting, or have I got that wrong? 

Thanks

Dave

User
Posted 04 Jul 2025 at 22:58

Hi Davey

I don't think I ever saw an oncologist. Plenty of urologists but never an oncologist.

I was diagnosed during Covid. Gleason 8 (3+5) later updated Gleason 9 (4+5), T3a. It was two months after my bone scan that my RALP was first scheduled. That was cancelled on the day. I was booked in for another about six weeks later, that too was cancelled at the last minute. I eventually had the operation five months after the bone scan.

I was assured that, despite having a high Gleason and capsular breached staging, the five month waiting time was nothing to worry about. πŸ€”

Edited by member 04 Jul 2025 at 23:00  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 05 Jul 2025 at 01:10

Hi Davey,

Waiting times can vary considerably for the various tests and actual treatment depending how busy they are and how long treatment lists are at your hospital.  Assuming the bone scan is clear and there are no contraindications, you could ask the Surgeon's Secretary what the waiting time for surgery is and get pre op done early so you could get on the operating list asap and say you would be happy to have the surgery at short notice to take a cancelled slot of another patient, if in need you are able to do this.

Barry
User
Posted 05 Jul 2025 at 07:22
Hi Davey

I was also diagnosed T3a ,I opted for surgery at Solihull hospital which I had in Jan 2025 ,I was advised that the average waiting time was 62 days.

This proved to be a fairly accurate figure ,I did say that I would accept a cancellation to try and bring it forward ,I did not get one but 2 out of the 6 guys on the ward did ,so it’s worth a try .

My cousin is currently waiting for surgery at the same hospital ,his predicted wait time is slightly longer than mine was.

Good Luck

John

User
Posted 05 Jul 2025 at 09:16
With that T3A they may try to persuade you radiation is the better option. Might also be to discuss output from the bone scan. Can't think of any other reason to see an ONCO if you are eligible for RP and don't want RT.

Ask the Onco secretary or go see them privately.

User
Posted 10 Jul 2025 at 11:10

Things are plodding along. Bone scan now booked for 21st July. Oncologist on 31st July. I spoke to my urology nurse yesterday asking why I need to see the oncologist, as my preference was for surgery. She said they've not had their SMDT meeting about me yet, but I'm on the list for surgery at Addenbrookes, Cambridge and in any case it would be a good idea to speak to the oncologist.

In other news my wife has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Or to be accurate, high grade DCIS which means it's localised, but likely to break out. She's booked in for a mastectomy on 29th July. This apparently is the only option. Of course we're in bits about this. Unbelievable that just a couple of months ago we were healthy fit and active, looking forward to holidays and a great 2025. To be honest, my prostate cancer has taken back stage to this. It's such a massive psychological and emotional thing for a woman to have a mastectomy.

The only positive I can find from this, is that neither of us have symptoms, and if it wasn't for the national breast screening program, and me badgering the GP for a PSA blood test, we would be oblivious to what was going on inside us.

User
Posted 10 Jul 2025 at 11:16

Hi Davey,

I'm very sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis, mate. I'll keep everything crossed for the both of you. 🀞

 
Forum Jump  
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2025 Prostate Cancer UK