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43 year old Male diagnosed 02/10/2025 @3pm

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User
Posted 03 Oct 2025 at 15:37

Not sure where to start.

PSA 6.9 picked up on a random full blood test a few months ago. 

MRI picked up two areas to check.

Biopsy 3 weeks ago as a precaution.

Given 80/20 chance in favour of it not being cancer.

No symptoms, ethnicity white, no family history.

Results are Gleason 3/4 contained within the Prostate.

Two options given, surgery or HIFU.

Most of this I heard for the first time yesterday.

Waiting for my consultant to have the results peer reviewed.

No idea what to do.

Can anyone share their experiences?

Also is there any support groups for family members to tap into who are living with cancer?

User
Posted 03 Oct 2025 at 17:48

Hi Jamie,

I'm sorry that you've had to join our club, but welcome. This forum will help and support you, mate.

You are a lot younger than most of us old codgers on here. It must have been especially shocking for you to be diagnosed with PCa.

The good news is, your PSA although elevated, is not drastically so. Your Gleason score is low  and your cancer is prostate confined.

From what you've told us, there's no rush to get further treatment. 

Here's a good video which explains all treatment options and possible effects. It includes HIFU and surgery. I hope it helps explains things.

https://youtu.be/zYTU94-8pTc?si=1Z29_l8rbTwF6DHl

There are support groups but I'm afraid I don't know much about them. Others will soon be along and assist.

Edited by member 03 Oct 2025 at 18:18  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 15:02

Hi Jamie,

I was diagnosed at 46 last year, it’s a massive shock at such a young age (or any age for that matter) but whilst not common there are a few people on the forum who were diagnosed in their 40s. It won’t feel like it at the moment but that random blood test might turn out to be one of the best things you ever did, mine was also picked up through a routine blood test as part of a work medical. We are a pretty good argument for a screening program.

I opted for surgery and haven’t regretted it, PSA has been undetectable so far and I have my next test coming up this week, which will be a year on from surgery. I’m fully continent and ED is recovering. I was diagnosed as stage T2c upgraded to Gleason 3:4 post surgery.

One thing I’d recommend is getting a second opinion on best treatment option even if it means paying for a private appointment. That really helped me make the decision.

Hope you and family are ok mate. The nurses on this site can help with the medical side and MacMillan are really good, outside of that it’s a case of searching for groups in your area. The mental side is really difficult for all so seek out help if needed.

 

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 16:40

I was 52 when diagnosed. Also Gleason 3+4. My PSA was 8.7

I was given the choice of RP and RT. I can't say there are many here who were given the option as HIFU as a primary treatment option. Sure someone will chip in.

Went surgery route because the cancer was contained and I would have more options later in life should I need more treatment. I was actually pushed on that direction by the clinical team. 

I was only off work 4 weeks. And was back doing the stuff I like after 8 weeks. 3 years later still here with no reoccurrence. So there you go a good news story for you so far.

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 18:06

Thank you Rob, I agree screening should be made available for all men. In the short space of time of having the diagnosis there’s a similar pattern I’m seeing of accidental discovery. My consultant is advising HIFU. The long term stats are not available for me to use in the decision making. Surgery is the other option, my only concern with surgery is the side effects. I have two grown up children and, despite my age, I am a grandad. There is no desire for any more children hence the snip a few years ago. I will get a second opinion. Thanks for the reply, really helpful.

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 20:30
Normally, the choice is between RP and RT, which are treatments that have been given for many years and the former, particularly where men are young and the cancer is believed to be confined to the Prostate. HIFU has only been administered for about 20 years in the UK and on a small scale at specialist centres. It sometimes requires the procedure, which usually has milder side effects, to be repeated. The idea is that only significant tumours are treated and to preserve as much function as possible. If necessary, subsequent surgery or follow-up RT is usually a possibility. I had HIFU twice as salvage treatment for failed RT and am in remission. With HIFU there is much less chance of erectile dysfunction or incontinence than with surgery but as with radiation, there remains a Prostate that tumour(s) can grow in.
Barry
User
Posted 06 Oct 2025 at 10:55
Some believe there is anecdotal evidence that some things may be of benefit but there is a dearth of testing to show great benefit. Professor Emberton (leading HIFU urologist) makes the point that what is generally considered a healthy diet in the UK is good for Prostate too. Also, the people who live in Asian countries have less incidence of Prostate Cancer. However, when they come to a Western country, over time, they become more susceptible to PCa. Diet may play a greater part where further down the line systemic treatment is being given. A good thing for all treatments is to keep as fit as possible and with surgery, to start Kegel exercises as early as possible.
Barry
User
Posted 06 Oct 2025 at 12:04

Here's a link to a video report by Dr Scholz (US expert on PC) on a study three years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UBHmXVYz-k

One always has to be a bit wary of these studies because the effect of diet is a very difficult thing to pin down with any precision but the findings seem broadly in line with what you  have already discovered.

Kevin

 

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 03 Oct 2025 at 17:48

Hi Jamie,

I'm sorry that you've had to join our club, but welcome. This forum will help and support you, mate.

You are a lot younger than most of us old codgers on here. It must have been especially shocking for you to be diagnosed with PCa.

The good news is, your PSA although elevated, is not drastically so. Your Gleason score is low  and your cancer is prostate confined.

From what you've told us, there's no rush to get further treatment. 

Here's a good video which explains all treatment options and possible effects. It includes HIFU and surgery. I hope it helps explains things.

https://youtu.be/zYTU94-8pTc?si=1Z29_l8rbTwF6DHl

There are support groups but I'm afraid I don't know much about them. Others will soon be along and assist.

Edited by member 03 Oct 2025 at 18:18  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 15:02

Hi Jamie,

I was diagnosed at 46 last year, it’s a massive shock at such a young age (or any age for that matter) but whilst not common there are a few people on the forum who were diagnosed in their 40s. It won’t feel like it at the moment but that random blood test might turn out to be one of the best things you ever did, mine was also picked up through a routine blood test as part of a work medical. We are a pretty good argument for a screening program.

I opted for surgery and haven’t regretted it, PSA has been undetectable so far and I have my next test coming up this week, which will be a year on from surgery. I’m fully continent and ED is recovering. I was diagnosed as stage T2c upgraded to Gleason 3:4 post surgery.

One thing I’d recommend is getting a second opinion on best treatment option even if it means paying for a private appointment. That really helped me make the decision.

Hope you and family are ok mate. The nurses on this site can help with the medical side and MacMillan are really good, outside of that it’s a case of searching for groups in your area. The mental side is really difficult for all so seek out help if needed.

 

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 16:40

I was 52 when diagnosed. Also Gleason 3+4. My PSA was 8.7

I was given the choice of RP and RT. I can't say there are many here who were given the option as HIFU as a primary treatment option. Sure someone will chip in.

Went surgery route because the cancer was contained and I would have more options later in life should I need more treatment. I was actually pushed on that direction by the clinical team. 

I was only off work 4 weeks. And was back doing the stuff I like after 8 weeks. 3 years later still here with no reoccurrence. So there you go a good news story for you so far.

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 17:44

Thank you for the link to the video, it gives a good breakdown of the options available. Also helpful for others to understand what is going on and to put things into perspective.

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 17:53

Thank you Jim, I am torn between surgery or HIFU. I had private insurance in place, which I think is why I was offered it straight away. I live in South Wales but was advised to travel to Bristol Spire Hospital. I was told the equipment is the latest available and I can only sing their praise for efficiency and comfort during the MRI and Biopsy. Family and friends have been amazing with words of support.

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 18:06

Thank you Rob, I agree screening should be made available for all men. In the short space of time of having the diagnosis there’s a similar pattern I’m seeing of accidental discovery. My consultant is advising HIFU. The long term stats are not available for me to use in the decision making. Surgery is the other option, my only concern with surgery is the side effects. I have two grown up children and, despite my age, I am a grandad. There is no desire for any more children hence the snip a few years ago. I will get a second opinion. Thanks for the reply, really helpful.

User
Posted 05 Oct 2025 at 20:30
Normally, the choice is between RP and RT, which are treatments that have been given for many years and the former, particularly where men are young and the cancer is believed to be confined to the Prostate. HIFU has only been administered for about 20 years in the UK and on a small scale at specialist centres. It sometimes requires the procedure, which usually has milder side effects, to be repeated. The idea is that only significant tumours are treated and to preserve as much function as possible. If necessary, subsequent surgery or follow-up RT is usually a possibility. I had HIFU twice as salvage treatment for failed RT and am in remission. With HIFU there is much less chance of erectile dysfunction or incontinence than with surgery but as with radiation, there remains a Prostate that tumour(s) can grow in.
Barry
User
Posted 06 Oct 2025 at 06:05

Thanks Barry, My Consultant is recommending HIFU with RP as a second option. The less side effects of ED through HIFU is something that I am leaning towards. However a few other posts I’ve read say they are glad to have chosen RP because the situation was worse than picked up on the scans. Appreciate your feedback. 

User
Posted 06 Oct 2025 at 06:12

Has anyone made or been recommended dietary changes or advice? what to eat and what not to eat.

Has anyone tried supplements or taken anything additional outside of the recommendations from the consultant that helped?

User
Posted 06 Oct 2025 at 10:55
Some believe there is anecdotal evidence that some things may be of benefit but there is a dearth of testing to show great benefit. Professor Emberton (leading HIFU urologist) makes the point that what is generally considered a healthy diet in the UK is good for Prostate too. Also, the people who live in Asian countries have less incidence of Prostate Cancer. However, when they come to a Western country, over time, they become more susceptible to PCa. Diet may play a greater part where further down the line systemic treatment is being given. A good thing for all treatments is to keep as fit as possible and with surgery, to start Kegel exercises as early as possible.
Barry
User
Posted 06 Oct 2025 at 11:25

Thanks Barry.

Definitely going to research what foods are good and what not to eat. Unfortunately by the looks of it my current diet of meat, particularly red meat is not good for PCa. Fitness wise I’m fully mobile. I’ll look into adding Kegel exercises to the plan. I’ve used Ai to formulate a shopping list and design some meals based off that shopping list. Grok has been the go to so far. 

User
Posted 06 Oct 2025 at 12:04

Here's a link to a video report by Dr Scholz (US expert on PC) on a study three years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UBHmXVYz-k

One always has to be a bit wary of these studies because the effect of diet is a very difficult thing to pin down with any precision but the findings seem broadly in line with what you  have already discovered.

Kevin

 

User
Posted 06 Oct 2025 at 14:39

Thanks for the link Kevin. I’ll switch to a predominately plants based diet with fish as a source of protein. That seems to be the route for some benefits. This is different to my current diet of mainly meat and a few carbs. 

Edited by member 06 Oct 2025 at 14:43  | Reason: Not specified

 
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