Oncology
considered abnormal, but Angus’ doctor was keen for him to undergo further testing due to his family member’s prostate cancer. At this time, COVID-19 was at its peak – with the NHS under unprecedented pressure, while GP consultations dropped by 30%. However, the pandemic didn’t put Angus off progressing in getting tested: “I was willing to go to the hospital, as well as the GP, despite the pandemic. I didn’t want it to stop me from checking my own health.”
In early 2021, Angus, who was living in Dorset during his diagnosis, went to Dorchester Hospital to have his biopsy undertaken. Of 30 samples taken 17 were found to contain cancerous cells, with a Gleason Score of 3+4, which qualifies as a “good prognosis”. Due to his prostate cancer being found early, Angus’ cancer was well contained in the prostate, and in turn, he was diagnosed with stage two prostate cancer.
As his first consultation post-diagnosis,
Angus was referred to a consultant surgeon and was advised to go down the same route as his relative – a prostatectomy. Angus explains: “Because the surgeon had done the biopsy, surgery was the first route I was offered, and because they are the experts, I decided that this must be the best pathway for me.” However, due to the COVID-19 backlog and his low-level diagnosis, Angus was subsequently referred to a consultant urologist to discuss other treatment options. During these consultations, the multi- disciplinary urology team discussed various treatments with him, and recommended LDR brachytherapy: “They said that brachytherapy was the perfect solution for me, which I agreed with as it’s a focal therapy that targets the cancer cells locally.” “The consultants also emphasised the importance for me to know my options and to make the best decision – rather than going to the first one I hear, which is what I nearly did. I almost ran the risk of having significant side effects from surgery, which I haven’t had with brachytherapy.” Angus had his brachytherapy treatment
at Poole Hospital, which he described as “very straightforward and painless.” He said: “I stayed overnight, and I was back home the next day. The brachytherapy team at Poole Hospital were phenomenal.” Since his treatment, Angus has not suffered
from any side effects – apart from having to occasionally get up in the night to go to the toilet. He has had three PSA tests since his treatment, where his levels continue to drop. Following his prostate cancer journey, Angus now encourages his friends and family
February 2023 I
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 45
to keep an eye on their health – and emphasises the need for them to get checked. “Because I had no symptoms, if I hadn’t visited the doctor with my hernia in 2020, I could have had much more aggressive prostate cancer, but I caught it early. My message to men is that you don’t necessarily need to have symptoms to get checked.” Compared to other cancers, such as
bowel cancer and breast cancer, there is no ‘mandatory screening method’ for prostate cancer, which Angus highlighted needs to change. “I know it’s not straightforward, and a lot of things can affect your PSA, but if a gentleman over 50 gets his PSA checked every six months, doctors can start to see trends and spot any warning signs earlier. Please make sure you get it done, and then tell them you want another one in six months, even if it was a low score.”
Commenting on his LDR brachytherapy experience, Angus concluded: “Brachytherapy worked really well for me. It was painless and straightforward. My advice is to not make a decision based on the first answer or treatment option you discuss. Make sure you do your homework and speak to various professionals.” CSJ
References 1.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/ may/
12/nhs-england-waiting-list-another-record- high-march
2.
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/nhs-cancer- backlog-england-macmillan-1623558
3.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/health/ nhs-search-14000-missing-prostate-26257001
4.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/ detail/antimicrobial-resistance
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
