Is it Cycling?

I've had a worrying (?) thought.

In April last year my PSA level was well under 4.

In July last year I bought a bike.

July this year my level was 17

I get a seriously sore bum when I ride. I know correlation isn't causation, but I'm wondering if I've aggravated my prostate by sitting on my arsebone too long...

September PSA results

24.04, as opposed to 23.01 a month ago.

Follow Up with the Urologist

I had another appointment with the urologist today. We're going the full MRI/biopsy route. I'm not exactly happy about that, nor am I unhappy. I'm having blood/urine tests again in a couple of weeks.

My levels are high enough to be concerning, but there isn't (at the moment) any indications of cancer. The tests in three weeks are to see if the PSA level is increasing at the same rate.

He tells me the biopsy will be 12 samples taken through the bum, rather than cutting through the perineum.

He says "the area" may be sore after, and there will be bleeding in both my pee and semen. Maybe even in my poo*. I'm to avoid sex for 6 weeks. I guess the blood thing could be off-putting.

It all seems rather bleak and grown up all of a sudden. It's like I should feel unwell, but I don't. I guess that's why so many people die untreated - by the time you're sick it's too late.

*I must admit, I never look at my poo. In France we get regular bowel cancer checkups, what we call shit stirring. You receive a paper sling for the toilet, a stick, and a plastic test tube. The idea is you poo on the paper, stir it up a bit with the stick, then put the stick in the test tube and post it off. I had my last test about 6 months ago and it was clear.

Looking for Advice

I'm lucky in that I have various medical friends. One is a retired GP from the UK who has recently had his own cancer issues. 

Last Wednesday I sent him the following email

Can I pick your retired brain?

Has a trip to the finger up the bum Dr today. Enlarged prostate, but not hard and no nodules. It could just be an infection, but I'd have to have a biopsy to find out. I have two weeks for that decision to be made. Is there any reason not to have the biopsy?

I'm not waking to pee, or peeing more than before, and there's no blood. The only reason we picked it up is that I had a blood test a couple of weeks ago and my PSA was high.

His response was

Go for it!

A biopsy is not a big deal and you will have a definitive answer. Otherwise you’ll always be wondering about prostate cancer.

Hope all goes well

 I guess that means yes to the biopsy.

Dr's Appointment, 28 August

Off to see nice Dr L, to see if she can think of any reason for not having the biopsy. 

She thinks the urologist thinks there's no need for a biopsy, and that's why the he didn't say I have to have one. So it's a blood test in 6 weeks and a pause to think .

It's when they use that word with a C (even when they're telling you it's NOT that) suddenly makes you feel un- invincible. Possibly for the first time ever.

First Appointment with the Urologist

So. In to Châtellerault to see the urologist.

Dr B. speaks good english, but his opening line needs some attention. He explained that prostate cancer is common, most men get it, not many die of it, and there is an option to do nothing. He then adds "but end of life care in France is really good".

That is sobering, and I think at that moment all the air went out of the room. I felt sick. Really like I was going to throw up and pass out.

It's then time for the finger up the bum routine. I'm taken into a side room, told to drop them and bend over a bed. I have to admit it wasn't nice, but nor was it painful or embarrassing. 

We're told that my prostate is enlarged, but there are no modules in there. It might just be an infection, but the only way to know is if I have a biopsy. It sounds like that it's my choice, so I ask if we can think about it. 

We make an appointment for two weeks time, and leave. It's a sombre mood on the way home, and I'm having problems dealing with it all. 

I need to talk to people.

It would have been my mother's 89th birthday today. I'm not sure how - or if - I could have told her that.

August PSA Results

Damn. My PSA levels are 23.01. That means the last test wasn't just a one off and we actually have to do something. My first appointment with the Urologist is next week.

Had a chat with a mate. His levels are highish but there's no sign of cancer. He had to have a biopsy to find that out.