Prostate examination and PSA test

My prostate was found to be enlarged, but just that. Didn't come to any more, I'm on Tamosulin (?) to help to control it.

The fear is real, and perfectly reasonable, but hopefully nothing more serious.

Early 50s here. I had the 'think of England' check last Friday and the blood test is this Friday. Odds are it'll be nothing more than age!

I have a psa test every year, but at a private doc, i asked on nhs and nurse said i had to have a chat with doc in case it came back high, i think a false positive she was referring to.

I personally prefer a false positive to no test, i cycle to appointments too.

Just go for it, particularly if its in your genes.

I have been on Tamulosin for about 10 years now - I have enlarged prostate.  I had a complete viral meltdown as a result of shingles - and my PSA went up , not hugely, but enough to worry the powers that be.  It was the least of my issues - I was booked in from a biopsy - but thankfully had a PSA test 3 days before hand that said my PSA levels had dropped.

I now get a 6 monthly PSA test reminder ...

Mention to them that you cycle - and don't have too much vigorous shagging before you go.

The finger up the bum from a stranger was surprising ( well, it was for me)

TBH, you are better having one and dealing with the results rather than not having one.  I know of 4 people who have had prostate cancer ...

I have an enlarged prostate as my father has and my brother. PSA test after the first DRE was worrying but that and subsequent tests have been in the normal range. I think  many  men will have enlarged prostates as they grow older.

Yep following recent posts on here.

All came back normal within a couple of days, only issue was one of the cholesterol tests..

I got a text message to say no action needed that was it, all results are available on the NHS app if you have an account.

Am awaiting the results of line from Friday. They forgot to do it on the last.lot of.bllpd they took so it was the second trip to phlebotomy in 2 weeks. First trip also flagged my cholesterol.

I'm soon to be 44 so fingers crossed it comes back clear but have been having some symptoms so wanted to get checked out

The finger up the bum from a stranger was surprising ( well, it was for me)

Yeah, it was a bit surprising, but such a mild level of discomfort that I wondered what all the fuss was about.

Don't think it's the discomfort, more the embarrassment of dropping your trousers in front of someone and bending over to give them the big brown eye

I had mine last Monday and the results back on Thursday and I’ve got the all clear.

I went and got it as my old man is presently dying of prostate cancer and won’t see Christmas

Please please please go and get one sorted if you’re of… ahem… ‘a certain age’

its ten minutes out of your life which may just save it

Yep, went in for mine two weeks ago.

No issue. The finger was odd but nothing more than that TBH. Did it lying on side, knees up to chest, not bent over, touching toes..

We did laugh though, my daughter went to the GP with ear issues the week after. I was wondering if it was the same GP poking her ears that was poking my arse the week before!

It's great that awareness is gradually spreading and more men are getting tested.  As above, both tests are quick, easy and painless. Keep it up chaps

I am also booked to see my local GP for the slippery cold finger of suspicion this week too. Had considered asking one of the trainees - but thought it may not be too professional all things considered.

Long term (+10 years) Tamsulosin user here - the occasional digital exam and blood test are a minor inconvenience. My PSA levels are influenced by the amount of bicycling and things like kidney infections - which is where it all started from. My Dad died from Prostate cancer after carrying it around for over 25 years. By the time they decided it was serious it was inoperable but radiotherapy contained it for a while. Apparently I and my brothers are at no more than the normal risk and while we are asymptomatic there's nothing to be overly concerned about.

Had a general check-up on Friday and asked about getting tested, the nurse said to speak to a doctor first so will arrange a telephone consultation - it did for my dad 23 years ago (would have been his 93rd birthday today, sll other things being equal 🙂 ) and a maternal uncle earlier this month but I'm symptom-free. Will see what the GP says. 🙂

Don’t think it’s the discomfort, more the embarrassment of dropping your trousers in front of someone and bending over to give them the big brown eye

My former GP rides with our club. I dread to think what flashbacks he gets if he's drafting me and I'm on the drops.....

Had my PSA test the other week and levels are normal.

The first PSA I got I had to practically argue with the female GP to get it 2 years ago. One routine GP visit a couple of weeks ago and the male GP offered it to me without my asking. Seems attitudes are changing to PSA tests.

As others have said, I'd prefer to run the risks of false positive rather that not pick it up at all.

I have 4 monthly PSA tests as I have low volume, low risk, grade 1 cancer and am on "active surveillance".  I've also had the panoply of DRE, localised and template biopsies and MRIs.  It's a constant low level worry, but I am grateful to be in the system and under surveillance.  My PSA is elevated but stable, I have a trigger level which will prompt further investigation if it goes over and will have more MRIs and probably biopsies in future to make sure everything stays tickety boo. This is one thing the UK is actually good at, not over treating low risk prostate cancer. Any symptoms or concerns get checked, DRE and PSA blood tests are absolutely trifling in the scheme of things.

Does anyone on here know what Tamsulosin is meant to do? As I understand it, it's meant to help reduce some (or all?) of the symptoms of enlarged prostate but doesn't actually reduce the enlargement. The main symptom I have is frequent night time peeing. But I don't think Tamsulosin has reduced this. (PSA normal for me).

Personally would not have a PSA without symptoms.  There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer and the harms of testing and subsequent treatment of over diagnosed cancers with serious side effects would stop me testing.  Most older men die with (not of) prostate cancer.  I know this doesn't fit with the recent Chris Hoy narrative.  For detected cancers via a PSA screen that are not advanced active monitoring (i.e. no treatment) is a viable option backed by trial evidence.

It's not just false positives, it's the cancers that would not kill us or become symptomatic which are then treated which are the issue.

Does anyone on here know what Tamsulosin is meant to do?

I think it causes the muscles in/around the prostate and your urethra opening to relax, allowing better flow. ISTR it doesn't work for everyone.

Tamsulosin relaxes the muscles round the bladder and prostate allowing you to pee more easily and allowing the bladder to empty more fully. This should mean a better night's sleep as you're not going to bed with a part full bladder and you can better empty it if you get up in the middle of the night.

It works for me. I've gone from 3 pees a night to 1.

Diagnosed with benign enlarged prostate 11 years ago, as I was under 50 treatment options were limited, took Tamusolin for a while but didn’t make much difference.
Had an MRI earlier this year which showed prostate enlarged (lemon vs walnut) but clear of cancer. My PSA is above threshold for my age but stable. I’m now on Solifenacin Succinate and take a daily cranberry supplement which has helped to reduce the urge.

I have a (petite) female GP.

When she did my first finger-up-the-bum test, she let me know her fingers were a bit too short and wouldn't get very far! She still did it, although I did get referred to a specialist for, ahem, "deeper" examination...

I have slightly enlarge prostate but GP says keep an eye on it as PSA is clear. I think most men will have some form of enlarge prostate at some point in their life but perhaps the severity is different. I did have difficulty passing urine for two weeks then it went back to "normal" again.

Oh ya, you will break into cold sweat when you bladder is full and dying for a pee and nothing come out.  It feels like the pipe is not connecting.

Personally would not have a PSA without symptoms. There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer and the harms of testing and subsequent treatment of over diagnosed cancers with serious side effects would stop me testing. Most older men die with (not of) prostate cancer. I know this doesn’t fit with the recent Chris Hoy narrative

I'm glad someone said this. A lot of men are damaged by unnecessary procedures, reassuring themselves with "well at least they caught it early" about some slow growing or minor cancer that would never have hurt them. (Not many of us over 50 won't have some cells definable as cancerous in our prostates.)

There is no as in zero evidence bar the anecdotal that PSA testing for symptom free men saves lives. It does lead to potential quite nasty harm. This is changing as fast MRI and less damaging methods of detection are more widely adopted. But that's why the charity Prostate Cancer UK are spending something north of £30 million on one research study to update this evidence. It's not for the sake of it, it's because we just don't know yet what's the most beneficial thing to do. But whilst for now it may seem obvious that getting checked is good for all blokes, you won't find scientific evidence to this effect.

And yeah I've had the finger and the PSA a couple of times, it's no biggie. But if you've not got symptoms I really wouldn't

I would say that it is the GP who should decide if symptoms and hereditary possibility, require any further tests?

What age are all you guys? I’m 43, I don’t have any symptoms (I do pee through the night but always have) but it’s something that’s been on my mind.

I'm 66 in a few days and can usually manage through the night with needing to get up for a piss, but I'm open to the suggeston that I could be missing other symptoms.

I went for a PSA at age 48, I was going to the loo around 3am every night and probs had been for best part of 10 years. No other symptoms.

I found out I had Stage 2 prostate cancer and had surgery to remove my prostate, which was successful, so far. I have my 10 year check up next week. Fingers crossed ?

I just typed in a lengthy post but deleted it because it was a rant. It was about my father who will die of prostrate cancer in the next few weeks. We buried my father in law today so I’m quite emotional

To summarise: go and get tested

And to those who say you shouldn’t get tested: * off! And when you get there you can * off a bit more and when you get there just keep on ****ing off!

What age are all you guys? I’m 43, I don’t have any symptoms (I do pee through the night but always have) but it’s something that’s been on my mind.

If you notice there is still a tiny drip or drop after you have urinated then that's the first sign of prostate enlargement as far as I know, because that's my experience.  I did not take note of it until one day I felt that there was always a drop left that I did not manage to squeeze out.  Went for a check up and GP said prostate enlargement.

I have my 10 year check up next week. Fingers crossed ?

That loose eh?

@spooky211, I'm also 43, 44 in a few months. Been getting up on the night for a while, whilst annoying is not the end of the world. However for the last month that's increased and during the day I've needed the loo a lot more. Went to the doc, they did a few tests including a PSA. All have now come back clear so no idea what was causing the trips to the loo.

All have now come back clear so no idea what was causing the trips to the loo.

Hasn't your GP suggested an overactive bladder?

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/leaflets/title/overactive-bladder-oab/

@TheDTs - yes, for symptoms possibly indicative of a cancer.

Any GP offering screening without symptoms should be avoided at all cost IMHO.

Overactive bladder (OAB)

Matt - is that you?

@binners - so sorry about that.  You have my genuinely deepest sympathy.  My own dad passed away 3 weeks tomorrow and so I know how you are feeling at the moment.  I am up and down daily.

The comments in this thread re being circumspect about testing is coming from a good place I can assure you but understand that it must be difficult to hear.  I work in the medical research field and am reasonably familiar with the research in this area and teach screening to medical students every year.  Voicing my perspective against routine screening (without symptoms) is genuinely meant only to make folk aware that getting tested in itself can have harms (cancers treated that would never have been a problem - not all  cancers are harmful or deadly).

All the best to you and family at this difficult time.

@binners & @nicknameless sorry to hear that.

Will get myself tested.

Following with interest, and sympathy with binners and nicknameless

Just had a pre-booked call w my GP this morning. He's seen an uptick in interest due to Chris Hoy's news, and while mentioning lack of screening program, he said that the increase in interest had picked up some abnormal results that get referred on for further assessment most likely MRI.

So I'll be getting the blood test. I do have nocturnal wees, and the odd post wee dribble and am 59

I personally would prefer to get some kind of early warning to find anything sooner as there are less invasive options to treat earlier

I personally would prefer to get some kind of early warning to find anything sooner as there are less invasive options to treat earlier

Are there? With a currently untreated (by choice) cancer diagnosis, I'm not aware of any. As far as I'm aware, the main treatment options are surgery (prostatectomy) or radiation therapy. Both can have unpleasant side effects.  Far, far better than the alternative if you have an aggressive cancer yes, but a tougher decision if you have a low volume, low grade cancer, which might not cause an issue in a normal life span. These things are never black and white.

The finger probe and giving a vial of blood every wee while is nothing to worry aboutother than not using you will feel a wee prick, it's a small scratch you feel now when giving blood

Its the harpoon getting fired a few times with your knees up to your chest that's a bit more uninviting to say the least

Wow, its good to see other people are doing something about it and seeking help and advice.

For the last 6 months I have been peeing a lot (but not during the night) but my bladder never felt empty and sometimes I would go again within 2 or 3 minutes, also recently the flow of pee has been up and down.

It felt like my GP could have been a bit more delicate with the finger, although it probably felt worse than it was.  But I think its the not knowing that is the very unsettling bit and it could be another 2 or 3 weeks before I find out...

@binners and @nicknameless I am really sorry to hear that.

Every guy should get it done without hesitation.  I got diagnosed with a Gleason 6 prostate tumour 3 years ago after a raised PSA result in a general blood scan.  Thankfully this type is the lowest risk and just needs monitoring.  Hopefully prostate testing will become standard because it is extremely easy to diagnose and treat if caught early.  Don't let the prospect of "The Finger" put you off 😀  To be honest, that's the easy bit.  The biopsy was............ image a staple gun in action on your tenders.......

https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/prostate-cancer-test-by-request-policies-drive-overdiagnosis-and-inequity-with-minimal-benefit-argue-experts/

Just in case anyone is interested - reasonably accessible summary.

Now back off to the other PSA thread to spend some money no doubt!

To add to nicks contribution there was an excellent discussion on the topic on radio 4 last week, highly recommended https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0024vtd

I do not agree with the naysayers who claim that we shouldn't get tested and that it can lead to unnecessary harms. I've never once heard of a man declaring that he wished he hadn't been tested; that it led to further problems and regrets it all. I personally know many that are glad they were tested. Just wish I'd been tested earlier!

I know some of you have read it before, and I really should start writing again, but here is my experience of testing and things. I describe my experience of the biopsy in Post 5.      https://adventureswithprostatecancer.com/cancer-journey/

It is interesting when reading these threads to note that all of us who have had positive prostate cancer diagnoses, including Sir Chris, are advocates of early PSA screening.  I do not think I have see a single opposing view from anyone with Prostate cancer.

I’ve never once heard of a man declaring that he wished he hadn’t been tested; that it led to further problems and regrets it all.

We all come at this from different angles, based on our own life experiences. I respect your views Stanley and I know you have a good deal of insight based on your own experience, I have read your blog and previous posts on the subject and learned from them.

However in regard the quoted bit of your post above, if treated they would not necessarily know enough to have regrets. There is evidence that in the past, over diagnosis and treatment has left some men with symptoms such as incontinence, impotence etc. when they had low risk tumours which would probably not have caused them an issue. The wider use of MRI as well as biopsy in diagnosis has improved this, allowing a better understanding of the grade and risk of a tumour.

But even so, the choice of whether to be treated or go on surveillance if you have a low grade tumour is down to the patient. Some may feel pressured to have treatment that may not be needed. Not pressured by medical staff, but by well meaning but ill informed family and friends and by themselves. I was in this position. I was given leaflets on all the treatment options, plus active surveillance, with no steer at all from the hospital as to which was best. I did a lot of research and took a lot of advice. AFTER I gave them my decision to go on surveillance, my urologist THEN said he would have done exactly the same in my position. I worry that a lot of men in that position will simply hear "cancer" and understandably want it nuked from orbit, and go on to experience side effects which may affect their mental health/quality of life which may not have been necessary.

Don't get me wrong, for those with more aggressive tumours swift treatment is life saving or life extending and absolutely necessary. I am specifically talking here about possible unnecessary treatment for lesser tumours. It is a thing.

This has been a good thread by the way, very useful to hear people's thoughts on this. @binners and @nicknameless, sorry to hear of your experiences and anyone else touched by this awful disease.

Hi @blokeuptheroad

Yes, completely agree with your post. It seems then that, maybe, the process after testing is flawed. Patients need more guidance at that point perhaps. Not testing seems to be a case of "ignorance is bliss"... until it isn't and it's all too late.

I guess that my experience has allowed me to meet lots of men who have prostate cancer. Most have been lower grades that have been cured, although probably half of those do report having problems years later... urinary retention and erections in the main. Yet, they remain glad that they were tested and treated. Can't comment on how many were symptomatic or otherwise though.

Most of the stage 3 or 4 guys that I've met describe being asymptomatic at diagnosis; their cancer being discovered following other problems. I don't think I've yet met a chap who has been diagnosed in an early stage that has then progressed to stage 4. Maybe that's owing to effective treatment or it's old buggers that die anyway?!

Yes, completely agree with your post. It seems then that, maybe, the process after testing is flawed.

That's been my take-away from this. Being tested and finding out early seems like a no-brainer but there are potential unnecessary harms thereafter. It seems that there should be something else between test and treatment.

Very good points!  Its not difficult to get information on what type of tumour you have and whether or not there is a risk of it getting worse, spreading and leading to Chris Hoy's sad state.  Monitoring will give the medic's the data they need to let YOU make the best decision regarding treatment.

My NHS doc has just told me 'no' to my request for a PSA test. **

I sent back the link from the Prostate Cancer website saying it was my "right" to have a test on request. (That sounds more militant than it was.) Got no response.

So is this something I can do privately? How?

**They also hilariously said no to stopping a recurring yearly blood test which is on their system in error. I thought they might be grateful to me for pointing out their admin error but no....

To add to nicks contribution there was an excellent discussion on the topic on radio 4 last week, highly recommended https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0024vtd/blockquote >

I've listened.

There seems to be an awful lot of "making the case" agaisnt PSA testing. At one point the guy says "for a few extra months of life". It just sounds like a politican trying to convince people not to do something because there isn't the resource to deal with the fallout.

The people in my Dad's circle of friends (including him) didn't lose a few months of life. They were all active, healthy people in early retirement living the dream who's first health problem was the Prostate cancer that was detected when their bones started aching and killed them. None had symptoms until it was in their bones. I really sense that they're letting blokes die to save the cost of MRI scans. Plenty of places abroad do routine PSA tests.

I just googled and symptoms:

"Urinary symptoms including frequent urination at night, poor urine stream, dribbling at the end of passing urine, or slow to start the urine flow"

Is all of that unusual? Do many people sleep 8 hours without get up for a piss?

 

Outofbreath - i am in spain so pay privately, i ve known the same doc for 20 years as i was insured and insurance used to pay, however now i just payg. Its 60 euros for psa, 200e for full bloods, cholesterol, liver function.

That includes the blood taking, analysis, review.

Do many people sleep 8 hours without get up for a piss?

About 15 years ago I used to sleep through the night. Not any more.

I'm due for a follow up at Urology just before my birthday for another look inside to find out why there's a good bit of bleeding just recently. Fingers crossed that it's something curable.

The best of luck for a good outcome @Sandwich. You're getting it all checked out which is a good thing.

It felt like my GP could have been a bit more delicate with the finger

As long as the nails are short it's a win in my book!

Oddly I've been getting dull aches in the region these last few days, but extends to my other 'region' too. I've tried to get an appointment but failed, try again in the morning. It's certainly a pain I've not had before, hopefully it's nothing sinister, perhaps a UTI.

I get up in the night most nights for a wee, but it's been like that for years for me. I'm 42 btw.

I always took the view that if I could go 8 hours without a pee, I was probably dehydrated.

I got checked after the flow/dribble became an issue. I still get up once a night maybe every other night. This recent discussion has made me more aware of it, I think, playing into my underrling general anxiety perhaps.

It’s certainly a pain I’ve not had before, hopefully it’s nothing sinister, perhaps a UTI.

Isn't the big problem with prostate cancer that there are no obvious symptoms until the person has serious issues peeing by which time it is very advanced?

I think pain in that region is indeed typically a UTI but I would still seek medical advice fairly quickly as I believe that left untreated a UTI can spread and damage your kidneys.

Do many people sleep 8 hours without get up for a piss?

I usually do. I guess the important word in your quote is frequent.

Finger test embarrassment: At 77 I've had these quite a few times. On one annual GP visit the male doctor had a female trainee doctor & he asked if I was okay with her being present. Said fine carry on. Wasn't expecting a finger test! Anyways, I get into position, knees bent etc. The GP explained to her how this was done by showing her how to insert a finger. He says don't go straight in all the way, just go until resistance is felt. Wait a few seconds (telling me to relax!) for the muscles to relax, then ease ever upwards. He checked me out & then asked if I'd mind let her have a go (yikes!). However, with this method I felt very little discomfort. Most of the other GP/consultant sessions just pushed straight in....

Isn’t the big problem with prostate cancer that there are no obvious symptoms until the person has serious issues peeing by which time it is very advanced?

The "classically described" symptoms are: poor flow, frequency, not emptying , not finishing, etc.. However, you are correct, lots of men who develop prostate cancer do not experience these symptoms. It seems that if the cancer develops from the centre of the prostate, then you get symptoms; from the outer edges and you don't.

I don't think aching in the area is a symptom of PCa., although I did occasionally get an odd sensation after having a poo: I look back and imagine it was probably the tumour (that grew from the lower edge of the prostate) pressing against the rectum as poo came through, then settling back down. Sorry if too much information... lol!

I also experienced some back ache, although I always have. (My spine was clear btw).

I had another symptom that has rarely been discussed, and I've never seen it linked with PCa, but that might be because it's never been researched or discussed!   Here we go then... "Spaffing distance". What's your spaffing distance? As a teenager, mine would go halfway across the room. This reduced over the years until it didn't really go any distance, and just before diagnosis it only just sort of oozed out (sorry!). So I would suggest keeping an eye on your "spaffing distance".

I thoroughly expect our resident GPs to reject "Spaffing distance" as a symptom. Maybe an area for future research? Or just check it for fun anyway 🙂

“Urinary symptoms including frequent urination at night, poor urine stream, dribbling at the end of passing urine, or slow to start the urine flow”

Is all of that unusual? Do many people sleep 8 hours without get up for a piss?

Yes it is unusual and yes most folk go thru night without needing to pee.  Thats certainly a symptom of something if you need to pee in the night.  Not necessarily prostrate cancer of course

prostate cancer testing has high numbers of false positives which is why routine screening is not done.  There are real harms from this.  Therefore testing or not is a decision to be made with your GP - taking into account family history, symptoms, etc.

Just logged into my patient access account and I can see a list of tests and results, which one is the PSA/prostate test?

Is it a combination of test/results or just one result?

I am trying to get a phone consultation with my GP......

^^^ it is just one result, a number, and a comparison to a normal range.  Bear in mind it is at best an index test so if not in normal range will be repeated after a month or so to see if any variations etc, before any further investigation.

Well, I had the deed done a week or so ago. Wasn't quite as bad as I thought, but never the less, glad I got it done. I've also given stool samples (sorry breakfast eaters) and bloods taken. My symptoms have subsided somewhat, so hopefully it's not sinister. Test results soon.

As a teenager, mine would go halfway across the room. This reduced over the years until it didn’t really go any distance, and just before diagnosis it only just sort of oozed out (sorry!).

Saw Paddy McGuinness' show at the weekend, and the subject of spaffing distance came up in a discussion on turning 50, rather than specific prostate issues. He reckoned in his 20s he could have reached the fifth row of the audience, now it barely cleared his knuckles.

I’ve also given stool samples (sorry breakfast eaters)

Assuming we've all finished breakfast now, I have a question. Never having had to provide a stool sample before, but it being likely to feature in my future at some point, how do you get a sample in the pot? What is the technique? Should I install a German style toilet with a ledge in preparation for the day.....?

prostate cancer testing has high numbers of false positives which is why routine screening is not done.

The current tests I'm doing are not something I'd do for shits 'n' giggles.

how do you get a sample in the pot?

Dump in a large piece of paper carefully positioned over the bowl (making sure it doesn't fall in the water) then taking a scraping with a (supplied!) spatula. Use spatula to scrap sample into pot. Voila!

A German style toilet would be a lot less stressful...

how do you get a sample in the pot?

Wait until you're in turtle mode, hold it there, and use the scraper.

Every day truly is a school day.

Where's that damn green puking emoji when you need it?

What is the technique? Should I install a German style toilet with a ledge in preparation for the day…..?

With the kit I get there is a piece of paper with adhesive edges you stick over the bowl and a small stick that you take the sample with and put it a holder. The holder is then double bagged and stuck in the post. The paper landing zone just gets flushed

I got my final result today - the ultrasound test.  Nothing other than a distended bladder caused by the pressure as the slightly enlarged prostrate holds back “the flow” and a “small simple cyst “ on one kidney - apparently a very normal common thing and nothing to worry about at all.

So, overall diagnosis is slightly enlarged prostrate caused by getting older <shrug> so, good news.

So, overall diagnosis is slightly enlarged prostrate caused by getting older <shrug> so, good news.

Good news in the circumstances then.

Indeed.  I think the message here is that certainly in out late 40’s and early 50’s - and I’m not one to use the Doctors often either - is that it’s wise to get this checkup done.    With regards to bloods, abdominal, racial and urinal function I’ve basically passed an “MOT” which is fortunate albeit with slightly high cholesterol.

But, no doubt if anything had been wrong it would have been highlighted, and I / you would be in a position to deal with it, definitely with the time and effort it took

Don’t be stubborn, get checked before anything turn into something worse/irreversable.

2020 I was diagnosed with grade 1 prostate cancer, the surgeon wants to whip it all out, oncologist wants the months radiotherapy but I've just went for the monitoring as I'm 63

So many side effects, depression, self employed

Some think I'm being a wee bit daft maybe selfish

Blood tested every few months