All clear now

[Cirrus_Minor]

Just received confirmation from Blackburn hospital that I am now clear of prostrate cancer. I had my prostrate removed in November after being told I had cancer a few months earlier. The op left me with a couple of 'side effects' and has made it a bit awkward to attend matches. But I am determined to attend the Preston game, first time since the Blackburn match.
For information, I had minor symptoms and after a visit to the GP had a PSA test. It was only slightly high so the doc, after a 'digital test' was convinced there was no problem, but recommended I did another test to be on the safe side. This test was also very low but slightly higher so made an appointment with a urologist. The specialist was also sure I was OK, again after 'the test', but if I want I can have an MRI scan.
The scan showed areas of concern on my prostrate so then after a very uncomfortable biopsy was told that I had prostrate cancer! After a few weeks of worry was told iit should be contained within the prostrate.
I had options of treatment and decided to have it removed (a few days after the Blackburn match). The routine is to follow up 3 months later with a PSA test and I am now relieved to report this has shown the procedure to be successful.

So in conclusion I would urge every bloke to get tested. I have seen this warning from others before and like many thought it won't be me. But I was wrong so please if you haven't already get yourself tested.
UTC.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Great news and welcome back to live action

[ClaretAndJew]

Excellent news mate.

[IanMcL]

Looks to me like you just want to watch local derbies!


Seriously, great news for you, after such a scary, lengthy time. Good health.

[chadders]

Fantastic news!!

[Silkyskills1]

Excellent news. Good to have you back.

[TonbridgeClaret]

I bumped into a Burnley fan friend of ours at QPR, who'd just been told his PSA reading was high. He was sent for an urgent operation and had his prostate removed at the beginning of January. Because of what he said, I had a PSA blood test just before Christmas, which also came back high. After a rectal exam, I was referred to a specialist and sent for an MRI scan. I was given the results a couple of hours ago at Maidstone Hospital (a 1.5cm 'area of concern '). I'm typing this from a cafe in the hospital, awaiting having biopsies taken at 2.30 this afternoon (which I'm really not looking forward to)! So, to reinforce what has already been said, get yourself checked!

[Cirrus_Minor]

I bumped into a Burnley fan friend of ours at QPR, who'd just been told his PSA reading was high. He was sent for an urgent operation and had his prostate removed at the beginning of January. Because of what he said, I had a PSA blood test just before Christmas, which also came back high. After a rectal exam, I was referred to a specialist and sent for an MRI scan. I was given the results a couple of hours ago at Maidstone Hospital (a 1.5cm 'area of concern '). I'm typing this from a cafe in the hospital, awaiting having biopsies taken at 2.30 this afternoon (which I'm really not looking forward to)! So, to reinforce what has already been said, get yourself checked!

Good luck

[Burnley1989]

Just received confirmation from Blackburn hospital that I am now clear of prostrate cancer. I had my prostrate removed in November after being told I had cancer a few months earlier. The op left me with a couple of 'side effects' and has made it a bit awkward to attend matches. But I am determined to attend the Preston game, first time since the Blackburn match.
For information, I had minor symptoms and after a visit to the GP had a PSA test. It was only slightly high so the doc, after a 'digital test' was convinced there was no problem, but recommended I did another test to be on the safe side. This test was also very low but slightly higher so made an appointment with a urologist. The specialist was also sure I was OK, again after 'the test', but if I want I can have an MRI scan.
The scan showed areas of concern on my prostrate so then after a very uncomfortable biopsy was told that I had prostrate cancer! After a few weeks of worry was told iit should be contained within the prostrate.
I had options of treatment and decided to have it removed (a few days after the Blackburn match). The routine is to follow up 3 months later with a PSA test and I am now relieved to report this has shown the procedure to be successful.

So in conclusion I would urge every bloke to get tested. I have seen this warning from others before and like many thought it won't be me. But I was wrong so please if you haven't already get yourself tested.
UTC.

Great news!

[Burnley1989]

I bumped into a Burnley fan friend of ours at QPR, who'd just been told his PSA reading was high. He was sent for an urgent operation and had his prostate removed at the beginning of January. Because of what he said, I had a PSA blood test just before Christmas, which also came back high. After a rectal exam, I was referred to a specialist and sent for an MRI scan. I was given the results a couple of hours ago at Maidstone Hospital (a 1.5cm 'area of concern '). I'm typing this from a cafe in the hospital, awaiting having biopsies taken at 2.30 this afternoon (which I'm really not looking forward to)! So, to reinforce what has already been said, get yourself checked!

Best of luck!

[Colburn_Claret]

Good luck Tonbridge, thoughts are with you.

[Tribesmen]

Hummmm have all this ahead of me , had a really bad blood test with my prostate results and have to go back to the specialist within the next week or two . Had problems for a year but the last result was off the scale now could be nothing or anything i have been told .
Watch this space .

[jedi_master]

Great news, very happy for you!

[ClaretTony]

Firstly, and most importantly, pleased to hear things are on the up Cirrus_Minor.

I had my PSA checked just before Christmas and it was fine, my only issue was my blood sugars being too high which is not good for a diabetic.

You are so right encouraging people to get tested. I can’t stress how important it is.

[whentheballmoves]

That's great news: congratulations!
I have had an issue, nothing as serious, which is still requiring blood tests, but which seems to be going nowhere fast...
Keep getting yourself tested, guys!

[Cirrus_Minor]

Hummmm have all this ahead of me , had a really bad blood test with my prostate results and have to go back to the specialist within the next week or two . Had problems for a year but the last result was off the scale now could be nothing or anything i have been told .
Watch this space .

Good luck

[Belgianclaret]

Good luck to all fellow clarets Just remember health and happiness are even more important than football

[TonbridgeClaret]

22 biopsies taken. Not an experience I want to repeat! Not allowed to leave until one hour after procedure (4pm). Hopefully, results next Friday. UTC!

[TonbridgeClaret]

Hummmm have all this ahead of me , had a really bad blood test with my prostate results and have to go back to the specialist within the next week or two . Had problems for a year but the last result was off the scale now could be nothing or anything i have been told .
Watch this space .

I wish you all the best, Tribesman. Hopefully, all will be well.

[TonbridgeClaret]

Good luck

Thank you, Cirrus, and congratulations on your wonderful news.

[lakedistrictclaret]

I had mine tested ten years ago.
No problems then, but I'm 70 now and although I've no symptoms that I know of, this thread has prompted me to have another test.

[Chuckypad]

What age should you start to get tested for this and what is the test?

[NewClaret]

22 biopsies taken. Not an experience I want to repeat! Not allowed to leave until one hour after procedure (4pm). Hopefully, results next Friday. UTC!

Really sorry to hear that Tonbridge but bet you’re pleased it’s over! Safe journey home.

[herbatlerbat]

Received my letter today saying I'm ok after having MRI scan a couple of weeks ago
PSA was slightly raised but the specialist was excellent and rushed me through the process
I'm very relieved and urge anybody with any symptoms to get yourself checked sooner rather than later

[Funkydrummer]

Cracking news Cirrus, very pleased for you.

Let's hope it's similar news for you, Tribesman and Tonbridge - good luck to you both.

Get tested, and make it regular - you can't mess around with that stuff.

[the_magic_rat]

That's fantastic news Cirrus. I can identify with much of your post I was diagnosed with prostate cancer after attending the Testing Day at the Turf in September 2021 run by Barry Kilby's Charity. I'd been tested in 2018, foolishly didn't attend the 2019 Testing Day even though my result had been borderline the previous year, and then the pandemic kicked in and there was no testing for 2 years. Purely by chance I saw a twitter ad. for the September 2021 date and signed up.

Am I glad I did! I consider myself so fortunate that my cancer was detected sufficiently early - like yours it was still fully contained inside my prostate. In May 2022 I had a month's course of radiotherapy at Royal Preston together with 12 months of hormone therapy and, 18 months on from diagnosis, I've currently got a miniscule PSA reading . I have so much to be thankful to Barry's Charity for. Anyone who's doubtful about going for a PSA test, don't be! It's not painful, takes relatively little time and it might just save your life!

[aclaretinstevenage]

Cracking news Cirrus, very pleased for you.

Let's hope it's similar news for you, Tribesman and Tonbridge - good luck to you both.

Get tested, and make it regular - you can't mess around with that stuff.

.

I echo these sentiments totally.

My last check was about 7 years ago and all clear. I might get another test on the back of this thread.

[Targetman]

What age should you start to get tested for this and what is the test?

They normally say blokes over 50 should have it done.

Its a simple blood test, they take some blood from your arm.

I had it done almost 7 years ago when Barry Kilby started the clinics at Turf Moor, I had no symptoms but went along along anyway to satisfy myself that everything was ok.

A week later I received a letter telling me that my PSA reading was high and that I should make an appointment to see my GP.

It turned out that I had prostate cancer but they had caught it early which was very fortunate for me.

[the_magic_rat]

With regard to the age from which you can get tested I think I'm correct in saying it's from 50 onwards. ( I was 62 when diagnosed.) Incidentally if I can be of help to any fellow Clarets facing test results or upcoming treatment by sharing my personal experiences with them, I'm happy for Tony to pass on my contact details via the site.

[NewClaret]

This is a brilliant thread and many congratulations to Cirrus Minor after what must have been a very worrying time. Great to hear you’ll be back on the Turf on Saturday.

Sadly my father-in-law died last year after a 17 year battle with prostate cancer. He was extremely fortunate in that he caught a radio programme discussing the symptoms one morning and decided to get himself checked (which was highly unlike him to do). They caught it early but he was diagnosed with the most aggressive form. The operation wasn’t able to get it all and he was given 5 years absolute max, so we were fortunate enough to get many more years with him than we expected due to the fantastic medical advancements and care he received.

Without wanting to be too grim, cancer is evil and so just wanted to use this thread to echo the sentiments on how important it is to get checked. However much of an inconvenience this is, it’s nothing if it helps you avoid this dreadful disease.

Men over 40 can get men’s health checks now (which I believe checks PSA amongst your bloods more generally) at your GP and we support the Barry Kilby charity which runs convenient events to get checked. Definitely get it done.

[NewClaret]

Received my letter today saying I'm ok after having MRI scan a couple of weeks ago
PSA was slightly raised but the specialist was excellent and rushed me through the process
I'm very relieved and urge anybody with any symptoms to get yourself checked sooner rather than later

Pleased to hear this herbatlerbat

[warksclaret]

Thats very good news Cirrus, and I sincerely hope that is the end of this horrible experience and you go on to lead a very healthy and happy life, and can get to games again. Just for information I know you have been getting regular testing -like you I have a PSA test every 6 months. But did you get any symptoms despite your PSA results being low ??

[Cirrus_Minor]

Thats very good news Cirrus, and I sincerely hope that is the end of this horrible experience and you go on to lead a very healthy and happy life, and can get to games again. Just for information I know you have been getting regular testing -like you I have a PSA test every 6 months. But did you get any symptoms despite your PSA results being low ??

Thanks.
The only symptom was going a bit often for a pee. Nothing outrageous and probably not uncommon for someone in their sixties. Apart from that I was fit and healthy.

[Tribesmen]

I wish you all the best, Tribesman. Hopefully, all will be well.

Thasnks everyone , now can't recall what football site i was on but was reading the signs what to look out for and i had 4 of the 5 so decided to get checked .
Like i say still not sure as yet but ready for the fight if there is one .
Funny when you think of it football sites have a lot to offer , hey more than just a game .

[Jimscho]

Congratulations Cirrus.About 3 years ago I had a blood test at the docs and while I was there she decided to do PSA test.A day or two later my doc rang me up and said pop down and see me.I went straight down which was out of normal surgery hours and she informed me that my PSA was slightly raised(a reading of 13)She sent me urgently to see a Urologist.He examined me with his magic finger( not as bad as I imagined)He said you have a benign enlarged prostate but to be on the safe side he sent me for an MRI.I went for the results and he said the MRI was clear but my prostate was 6 times the size it should be.He put me on tablets to reduce the size of the prostate and I then had 6 monthly PSA tests.When these reduced back to normal he discharged me but told me to have annual PSA when I have my diabetes bloods done.My PSA tests are still in the normal range.Get the tests done gents.The tests etc are not as bad as not knowing and dying of prostate cancer.

[DanH90]

Congratulations Cirrus Minor! My dad had the same thing, he found out he had prostate cancer after attending one of Barry Kilbys events! He decided to go against having treatment and to have his prostate out!

He’s back on the turf every game and is as good as ever, you will go on to live a very normal life!

Also, I am forever indebted to Mr Kilby, he probably saved my dads life!

[bpgburn]

What great news to get, nice one..

[Tricky Trevor]

Thumbs up, Cirrus. Great news.

[ClaretLoup]

I read the Barry Kilby book recently and as many of you know our greatly esteemed former Chairman is a leading light in the battle against prostate cancer. Reading about his own travails inspired me to look up more about his campaign and charity and as a result I took out a direct debit to enter the fund raising lottery. Should any of you also feel so inclined here is the link.

https://bkpca.mypsatests.org.uk/

The next testing session at Turf Moor is advertised as 25th March.

[jdrobbo]

This is fabulous news

[joey13]

I bumped into a Burnley fan friend of ours at QPR, who'd just been told his PSA reading was high. He was sent for an urgent operation and had his prostate removed at the beginning of January. Because of what he said, I had a PSA blood test just before Christmas, which also came back high. After a rectal exam, I was referred to a specialist and sent for an MRI scan. I was given the results a couple of hours ago at Maidstone Hospital (a 1.5cm 'area of concern '). I'm typing this from a cafe in the hospital, awaiting having biopsies taken at 2.30 this afternoon (which I'm really not looking forward to)! So, to reinforce what has already been said, get yourself checked!

Best of luck mate

[beddie]

That’s great news Cirrus, I’m really pleased for you.

Wishing Tribesman and Tonbridge the very best of luck.

[Buxtonclaret]

Truely wonderful news, Cirrus!



Echo Beddie above, in wishing Tribesman & Tonbridge all the best too.

[ArmchairDetective]

Fantastic news Circus. Well done for persisting with the examinations. Glad to hear you're planning on being back on the turf this weekend.

And all the best to Tonbridge and Tribesmen. Must be a horrible wait.

It's great that you are all encouraging others to get checked.

[Clive 1960]

Just received confirmation from Blackburn hospital that I am now clear of prostrate cancer. I had my prostrate removed in November after being told I had cancer a few months earlier. The op left me with a couple of 'side effects' and has made it a bit awkward to attend matches. But I am determined to attend the Preston game, first time since the Blackburn match.
For information, I had minor symptoms and after a visit to the GP had a PSA test. It was only slightly high so the doc, after a 'digital test' was convinced there was no problem, but recommended I did another test to be on the safe side. This test was also very low but slightly higher so made an appointment with a urologist. The specialist was also sure I was OK, again after 'the test', but if I want I can have an MRI scan.
The scan showed areas of concern on my prostrate so then after a very uncomfortable biopsy was told that I had prostrate cancer! After a few weeks of worry was told iit should be contained within the prostrate.
I had options of treatment and decided to have it removed (a few days after the Blackburn match). The routine is to follow up 3 months later with a PSA test and I am now relieved to report this has shown the procedure to be successful.

So in conclusion I would urge every bloke to get tested. I have seen this warning from others before and like many thought it won't be me. But I was wrong so please if you haven't already get yourself tested.
UTC.

I know exactly where you are coming from I had part of my prostate removed just over a week ago and I'm waiting for the results next week . I'm just hoping it was a enlarged prostate as my problems were urinating . But I also have a neurological problem with my bladder which doesn't help. But I echo what you say about people getting checked out before it's to late .

[Clive 1960]

I would also like to add my problems started in 2011 on the Turf at Xmas and I went into retention, after being admitted must urologist couldn't find out why I couldn't urinate , I had one lot of biopsies taken from my prostate which one side was abnormal I had the test repeated a few weeks later and this time it was over side of the prostate was abnormal and other side ok . I then saw a neurologist who after a brain and spinal scan said my abnormal findings was from a compression in my neck and the relief was enormous.

[Midmoorclaret]

Well done Cirrus, I had the very same tests, procedures and radical prostatectomy as you 20 years ago and but for that I would have been long gone.
I had no symptoms whatsoever but my PSA went up from 4% to 9% which resulted in further tests. My Father died from Prostate cancer and I vowed to have mine checked when I reached 50, thank God I did.
I too advise having a PSA test done whether you have symptoms or not, don't leave it until it's too late!

[Paul Waine]

Just received confirmation from Blackburn hospital that I am now clear of prostrate cancer.
UTC.

Great news, Cirrus Minor. Important message, too, for everyone else.

I'm Walking All Over Cancer, 10,000 steps every day in March - Cancer Research UK fund raising campaign.

I'm walking in memory of friends and family who are no longer with us, plus those who are undergoing treatment.

Walking is also great for my health.

Cancer Research slogan is "Together we will beat cancer."

[Paul Waine]

Prostate cancer and me: ‘The doctor wouldn’t look me in the eye’

At 56, Jeremy Langmead had never had health problems. But when a routine checkup revealed tumours on his prostate, he was transported into a world of biopsies and operating tables

Jeremy Langmead, Friday February 10 2023, 11.00am, The Times

Lengthy article in The Times online today. I guess it will also feature in the Times Saturday Magazine, tomorrow.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/6b17 ... 0dd28d9b20

The link will (should) take you past The Times paywall.

The writer reports on his treatment for aggressive prostrate cancer. He now lives in Cumbria and some of treatment involves hospitals in Kendal, Barrow and Royal Lancaster. He also received treatment in Guy's in London.

[Steve1956]

Always nice to read a feelgood thread on here
All the best CM .