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

Notification

Error

what does the future look like

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 20 Dec 2025 at 16:15

Hello, my name is Alwyn, I'm 84 years old.  I've lived and still do an active and mostly happy life (more by luck than judgment) and until recently a very healthy one

After a few twinges i saw my GP who did all the tests and was told i had a PSA of 217 (not good, his words) so here I am, in limbo as it were. 

I live Bassetlaw in the East Midlands, My DGH has always treated me and my family well. 

I've been seen by a urology consultant and am scheduled for MRI and Bone scans on 2 weeks time, and have been put on Hormone tablets as a start of treatment. 

I'm not a fool and do realise I've been living on borrowed time for some years, but it's still taking some coming to terms with, I also realise the prognosis is not going to be favourable, so how do I approach the future, my main concern is the quality of life going through treatment, it's very important to me, quality over longevity. How much input do i have going forward, i don't want to feel as though I'm on a conveyor belt going forward with no regard to my wishes. 

I hope there are people out there who have can at least reassure me

Thanks for listening

Regards

Alwyn

User
Posted 20 Dec 2025 at 20:42

Hi Alywn. 

I'm sorry that you've had to join our club, but welcome to the forum, mate.

As you are aware your PSA is very high. The general rule is the higher the PSA, the poorer the prognosis. However, there are exceptions.

The only advice I'd give, is take one step at a time. Deal with each procedure and the results, as they come. Only when they've all been completed, will you be told the options available to you. The diagnosis period is the worst time. You spend a lot of time worrying about various tests and scans, and waiting for results. 

At 84 years old, you'll be able to have a huge input into any treatment plans that maybe required.

My poor old dad, was 79 years old when was diagnosed with high grade cancer, he declined any radical treatments apart from hormone therapy. Although the disease metastatised,  spreading to the bones, he survived for a few years and his quality of life wasn't too badly affected.

You'll find lots of support and advice here. Someone will always help answer any questions you have.

Please keep us updated and best of luck.👍

Edited by member 21 Dec 2025 at 07:18  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 21 Dec 2025 at 04:31
Whatever your diagnosis is, you are not obliged to have any treatment at all, if that is your wish. It is highly likely that you will continue t Hormone Treatments to help restrain your cancer, although you may be offered a different Hormone soon or eventually. Unfortunately, this means being subject to the various side effects associated with HT to a greater or lesser degree. If your PCa has not spread, you will probably be offered Radiotherapy, but unlikely surgery, due to your age and the stresses surgery puts on a body because of the way it is suspended during the operation. So it's really a matter of establishing how advanced your cancer is and accepting or not what is offered.
Barry
Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 20 Dec 2025 at 20:42

Hi Alywn. 

I'm sorry that you've had to join our club, but welcome to the forum, mate.

As you are aware your PSA is very high. The general rule is the higher the PSA, the poorer the prognosis. However, there are exceptions.

The only advice I'd give, is take one step at a time. Deal with each procedure and the results, as they come. Only when they've all been completed, will you be told the options available to you. The diagnosis period is the worst time. You spend a lot of time worrying about various tests and scans, and waiting for results. 

At 84 years old, you'll be able to have a huge input into any treatment plans that maybe required.

My poor old dad, was 79 years old when was diagnosed with high grade cancer, he declined any radical treatments apart from hormone therapy. Although the disease metastatised,  spreading to the bones, he survived for a few years and his quality of life wasn't too badly affected.

You'll find lots of support and advice here. Someone will always help answer any questions you have.

Please keep us updated and best of luck.👍

Edited by member 21 Dec 2025 at 07:18  | Reason: Additional text

User
Posted 21 Dec 2025 at 04:31
Whatever your diagnosis is, you are not obliged to have any treatment at all, if that is your wish. It is highly likely that you will continue t Hormone Treatments to help restrain your cancer, although you may be offered a different Hormone soon or eventually. Unfortunately, this means being subject to the various side effects associated with HT to a greater or lesser degree. If your PCa has not spread, you will probably be offered Radiotherapy, but unlikely surgery, due to your age and the stresses surgery puts on a body because of the way it is suspended during the operation. So it's really a matter of establishing how advanced your cancer is and accepting or not what is offered.
Barry
 
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