Earlier this year, I paid for a PSA test via The Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal.

My score was elevated and a trip to my G P was recommended.

A few months down the line, following a biopsy, I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. It has been caught early and I am now awaiting treatment (It is beyond the "monitoring" stage).

Without the BK system, I may have gone way beyond the "treatable" stage, a thought not worth thinking about.

MEN, HAVE YOUR PSA CHECKED - REGULARLY !

Thank you Barry Kilby and your Team

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

Thanks for posting and hope it is sorted out. Is there a recommended age for this or not necessarily ?

Boss Hogg wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 24, 2023 11:24 am

Thanks for posting and hope it is sorted out. Is there a recommended age for this or not necessarily ?

40 years of age. I turned 40 in April so have just registered. Do they still do the testing at The Turf as not heard of one for a while?

All the best Ralph!

burnmark wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 24, 2023 11:28 am

40 years of age. I turned 40 in April so have just registered. Do they still do the testing at The Turf as not heard of one for a while?

All the best Ralph!

https://www.the-bkpca.com/testing-dates-and-venues

Just do it - it can save your life, it saved mine

Best wishes, RCC.

Very good advice RCC. I posted something similar earlier this year about my experiences. It is good that you have been caught early. Good luck with whatever treatment you decide on. I had the op.

So I would definitely agree with your advice for men to get tested.

Good luck Ralph. Early diagnosis is so important.

It’s such a fantastic service Barry puts on and it’s no doubt saved countless lives. Agree entirely with the message:

Get checked regularly!!!

Prompted purely by recommendations on here I paid for the postal service as I'm not local

The whole process start to finish only took 7 days

Thankfully mine came back low.

My PSA test was thanks to another Burnley fan advising me to get tested. The result came back high, with the MRI scan and biopsies showing a 1.5cm tumour. I've since had my prostate removed and advised my best mate to get tested - and he's got prostate cancer too! Please get tested!

I have it done every year via my Doctor. The Doctor always makes me aware that a PSA test even if it shows normal doesn’t meant that you don’t have it. He emphasis that whilst the reading may come back as within the required range you have to look for changes yourself like increased amount of times you go for a pee at night, dribbling more, having a slower flow, blood in the urine etc you should then tell your GP, that way you’ll go for a more in depth test and hopefully catch it early. The PSA test is certainly worthwhile especially if it picks something up early like it did for our original poster RalphCoatesComb. If you’ve had a PSA test recently and everything was fine then please do make a diary note 12 months on to get it checked again and the same again going forward. Good luck Ralph.

Well said Ralph, absolutely vital us fellas of a certain vintage look after ourselves….don’t be embarrassed guys, get a PSA done and similar with the Bowel screenings, get that booked as well if you’re old like me good luck with the treatment pal…UTC

Best of luck Ralph , also good to hear fron Tonbridge .

I've seen a few articles like this now so, even being asymptomatic I've ordered a Test Kit and will check tomorrow when it arrives.

Thanks for the post Ralph and good luck with the treatment, I hope it goes well.

I did the ICLE home test last month so come on guys no excuses were in it together !!

Hope all goes well RCC I was diagnosed in early 2019 and am still in the monitoring phase.

Best wishes Ralph. I get mine checked annually and same as Lambo , i recommend everyone should have bowel screening .

Best wishes to you RCC…

You and spot kept me relatively sane during lockdown, so thank you.

Just signed up for the one at Clitheroe in October, thanks.

Very best wish to you, sir. Heart warming to read Spot’s message too. Glad he’s on good form.

Thanks for posting this Ralph.

As noted above there is a testing day coming up at Clitheroe Golf Club in October and one at Earby in November at Weston’s Engineering which anyone can sign up for via the website www.thebkpca.com as well as a couple further afield at Fleetwood Town (this Saturday) and Delamere Folf Club in February.

The next testing day at Turf Moor will be on March 23rd 2024 which is an international week end so hopefully there will be the usual big uptake.

A big contingent of Clarets fans (you know who you are!) will be raising funds for the BKPCA on a 3 day bike ride next May with the aim of raising £10,000. Details will be released soon if anyone is interested in joining in.

The BKPCA needs to raise around £100,000 a year to carry out its work. That is to run around 15 testing events per year. There are lots of football clubs and other organisations contacting BKPCA every week to try to organise further events and unfortunately the charity just hasn’t got the capacity to do more without raising more funds. This is a shame because there are several Ralph’s identified at every testing event and many lives saved every year.

To try and maintain and grow its work the charity is currently looking for support in three ways:

-a new trustee to join the Board with expertise in fundraising
-volunteers to help administer testing days and other tasks - anyone who can spare a couple of days even a year will be warmly welcomed
-funding! If you are thinking of doing a challenge for charity please consider BKPCA.

If you can help with any of the above please email info@thebkpca.com

Thank you for reading UTC

It is all a bit of a problem area. PSA tests are notoriously inaccurate with false postives and false negatives. Research suggests MRI scanning is a much better diagnosis tool and is likely to be adopted as the screening tool of choice when funding/equipment /operators/clinicians for interpreting are available; it is likely to be a decade yet. Not wishing or wanting anyone to to be put off testing if they are in the at risk group but be aware there are better methods of testing and diagnosing which might be available if you can pay. Many men will die with prostate cancer which is asymptomatic, it is a disease which occurs in many and does not effert or cause deaths in a large number of the sufferers.

Like most things in life if you are going to get something you will eventually but it's good, vital is probably the correct word to use where cancer is concerned to get yourself checked out asap so early detection hopefully leads to a better prognosis via more efficient treatment, 1 of the problems where people suffer is having lost faith in the bureaucracy of the NHS & just plod on hoping symptoms go away & only act when it's far too late. More funding needs to be allocated & more awareness & availability for testing.

My story. I had a raised PSA, and a family history of prostate cancer. A second PSA test so a further increase so was sent for a scan. Scan results showed an area of interest which called for a 12 bore biopsy. Consultant said looking at the biopsy from 1 you 4 , I was a four with a very high chance of cancer. Results of the biopsy showed no sign of cancer!!. PSA levels had increased again after the biopsy so had further tests done at Easter. Results now show reduced PSA to normal levels.

I wanted to share this so that anyone going through anxiety and worry about increased PSA, it isn't always cancer.

I was reading a fascinating article about prostate cancer some years ago. In this article, it said men over 50 who had died for whatever reason
and their body went through the autopsy procedure, It was found that 90% had prostate cancer to one degree or another.

Sometimes a PSA is not all the time reliable but a scan is i was told of my urologist. I had PSA test which was normal but because i couldn't pee i had biopsies done on my prostate one side was abnormal but other side was OK my urologist wanted to do procedure again this time it was other side not the other , he sent me to see a neurologist who did spine scan and found it was all connected to C4C5 that was pushing on my cord it just shows how complex the body is.

On a similar subject, in Australia as in UK we have the Bowel Cancer test kit that is sent out free to people over 50 years every two years. Through slackness, I missed one and thus when I did my last one over two years ago I was positive with a tumour in my rectum.
After two years on radiation, surgery and ongoing chemo along with a permanent colonoscopy bag I am still here, but how I wish I had not missed the test. Not for me but the suffering I have put my family through.

Therefore, if a test is available,I urge you to do it.

I'm 38 (39 in December), so will be considering this very soon. What does the test entail?

Foshiznik wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 25, 2023 8:34 am

I'm 38 (39 in December), so will be considering this very soon. What does the test entail?

It's nothing more than a blood test. I have mine checked at the GP surgery once a year. My PSA is, thankfully, low but that doesn't mean you don't have prostate cancer. I'm always told that if I have any concerns I should make a specific appointment. But a low PSA is reassuring.

Good luck Ralph! It sounds that you're where I was nearly two years ago after a BKPCA test. It's 15 months since I successfully completed a course of radiotherapy and my PSA is now at a miniscule level. If you need any advice or would like to talk through what's ahead message me via Tony at UTC. Onwards and upwards from here!

Thank you for all your 'Best Wishes' - appreciated.

I understand that there are other routes and PSA testing isn't the be-all and end-all but, so far, it has worked for me. Treatment regime next.

Like has been suggested, onwards and upwards.

And, do what's best for YOU !

Bump.

BARRY KILBY PROSTATE CHARITY APPEAL - PROSTATE AWARENESS SCREENING EVENT
Location:

Burnley FC, Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way, Burnley, BB10 4BX

Date:

Saturday 23rd March 2024

Time:

11.00am - 14.45pm

YOU CAB BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ON THEIR WEBSITE https://www.the-bkpca.com/

Booked

DON’T PUT IT OFF GOING FOR THE TEST.

I’m currently resting,10 days after having a knee replacement, due to not being able to pee the day after the operation I was kept in for a further two days. Still no pee so I had a catheter fitted, told to return a week later, so last Friday they removed the catheter and I had to drink as much water, juice etc over 6 hours, if I could manage a pee in that time to do it in bottles provided, each pee in a separate bottle. By the evening there was very little in those bottles. I then had another catheter fitted and told I need to see a Urologist, I’m hopeful that will be in the next couple of weeks. I was told I’ve got issues with my prostrate and only a specialist can deal with it. I have gone for yearly check ups and nothings ever shown up although I’m told that can be the case sometimes. So whilst trying to exercise the knee I’ve the added bonus of this pee holder strapped to my leg, not pleasant especially trying to sleep but I’m hopeful the Urologist will give me good news. I’m 70 next weekend so hoping to get some nice birthday news. I wanted to highlight my situation in order to encourage everyone to get at least yearly check ups. Barry Kirby has done a marvellous thing in setting this up, let’s all support him by turning up. Best wishes to everyone.

Still on cancer and it’s the same with any bodily change.

Bladder cancer, if you pass any blood when having a wee get down to the doctors straight away, DO Not DELAY.

I did and the test proved potentially BC, had the operation after about 4 weeks got it cut out successfully.

This was in 2015 then a check up once a year for 5 years and I’m been cancer free ever since.

Persuaded my mate to go to one of the 1st at the Turf and they didn’t do appointments then ,,we waited well over an hour on a blazing hot day ,5 days later he got his results back and was referred to the hospital he had prostate cancer ,and the same summer my wife was diagnosed with bowel cancer ,both had operations ,my wife finished up having to have a stoma which isn’t very nice,but nearly 5 yrs on and they’re still here ,both have regular check ups ,and the East Lancs NHS has been brilliant where other areas of the country people haven’t being treated ,to cut a long story short gentlemen don’t **** about ( pardon the pun) get yourself down there,doing nothing is not an option.

beddie wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 21, 2024 3:58 pm

DON’T PUT IT OFF GOING FOR THE TEST.

I’m currently resting,10 days after having a knee replacement, due to not being able to pee the day after the operation I was kept in for a further two days. Still no pee so I had a catheter fitted, told to return a week later, so last Friday they removed the catheter and I had to drink as much water, juice etc over 6 hours, if I could manage a pee in that time to do it in bottles provided, each pee in a separate bottle. By the evening there was very little in those bottles. I then had another catheter fitted and told I need to see a Urologist, I’m hopeful that will be in the next couple of weeks. I was told I’ve got issues with my prostrate and only a specialist can deal with it. I have gone for yearly check ups and nothings ever shown up although I’m told that can be the case sometimes. So whilst trying to exercise the knee I’ve the added bonus of this pee holder strapped to my leg, not pleasant especially trying to sleep but I’m hopeful the Urologist will give me good news. I’m 70 next weekend so hoping to get some nice birthday news. I wanted to highlight my situation in order to encourage everyone to get at least yearly check ups. Barry Kirby has done a marvellous thing in setting this up, let’s all support him by turning up. Best wishes to everyone.

Hopefully your problem with be from the bit of prostate that causes urine blockage and slow urine stream and is usually benign.
The bit that turns nasty doesnt usually cause flow problems and blockage which is why too many men only know there is a problem when it has spread and made them ill. If a man has flow problems and cancer they are usually two separate things
This is my understanding. For guys who have had prostatectomy for flow problems there is still some prostate left behind particularly the outer part which is the bit that can turn cancerous.
PSA is not fool proof but is the best screen we have presently in a blood test and is worth doing IMO although there is a risk of having treatment when none needed but our UK boys/gals are much better at knowing when to treat and when to observe compared with USA, where many men have had unecessary radical prostatectomy

Booked. I was due another as my last one was at the Accy event in Dec 21

Fair play lads , just get checked it could save your life .

Tribesmen wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:15 am

Fair play lads , just get checked it could save your life .

Forgot to say i am getting my bloods done today as i get checked once a year now

I've booked on this morning, so thanks for bumping this and the share of various experiences.

I like a previous poster attend many moons ago when the queues were ridiculous, and was all clear back then.

I'm over 50 now and I need to start to make this as a regular appointment.

Well worth it fellas.

I've ordered a home test kit, thanks for the prompt. I'm of an age where this is relevant - so this thread has certainly increased MY awareness.

RalphCoatesComb wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 29, 2023 9:22 am

Thank you for all your 'Best Wishes' - appreciated.

I understand that there are other routes and PSA testing isn't the be-all and end-all but, so far, it has worked for me. Treatment regime next.

Like has been suggested, onwards and upwards.

And, do what's best for YOU !

How are you getting on, if you don't mind me asking?

The testing is vital, hope all is well Ralph. Thank you for posting and the advice for others to get themselves checked . Serious business this. Barry Kilby has done a remarkable job with this. Hats off to him.

Hope all goes well Ralph, on the back of this I have just ordered my test!

Bump.

Booked

My annual PSA check was slightly high at 5.5 and prostate cancer was diagnosed with radiotherapy treatment and a pill for 3 years.
My treatment was for 20 days in August 2020 (when I was 70 years old) at St.James', Leeds
I stayed in the hospital hotel at the top of the Cancer Wing from Monday to Friday each week before coming home for the weekend
The hotel is absolutely free of charge and is run by the Charity 'Leeds Cares'.
My room had an ensuite bathroom, a television, a kettle and a fridge.
You can even pick up free snacks etc.at the hotel reception.
If you are diagnosed follow the Airedale, Bradford, Leeds route if possible.
The treatment is first class.
My PSA at the present time is 0.5 and is checked every 6 months.

2013 I had a reading of 4.5 at the time and was sent to see a prostate cancer specialist, he checked me over and gave me antibiotics and they worked perfectly, I'd had prostatitis, I was 52.
The specialist told me Dr to have my PSA checked every 2 years, last one done in 2022 was 0.5 which was good.
I became ill the other week while on holiday, I came home and was getting a blood test done so I mentioned to the nurse to check my PSA , went to the Dr Friday due to still not feeling right and was told my PSA was now 27 and will be with a specialist clinic in the next 2 weeks, I am slightly worried, but I am hopeful all will be ok, anybody not convinced you need to get it checked when any issues DO as it could possibly save your life, hopefully everyone on here who have had treatment etc are all doing well. UTC.