In autumn 2008 (not sure exactly when) I approached my GP about some minor niggles in the waterworks department – specifically, having to get up several times during the night (unusually I had some slight symptoms but prostate cancer is often completely asymptomatic). He sent me for a PSA test and when I next visited to get my test results him he also gave me a DRE. I later found out that my PSA score was 13.1. Just three years previously I had a well-being MOT which included the PSA test at which point my score was 1.79 and I was told this was not a cause for concern.
In early spring my doctor recommended me to a specialist who gave me another DRE and said that I would need a biopsy. I went home and looked up what was involved with a biopsy on the internet and scared myself witless! I decided I needed to take control and so went private and saw a doctor attached to the Royal Free hospital recommended by a friend. He gave me yet another DRE and confirmed that I needed a biopsy. I think it was only at this stage that I really started to realise that I had cancer.
I finally had a biopsy at the Royal Freed Hospital in March 2009 and shortly after was transferred back into the NHS under the care of Dr. Katherine Pigott at the Royal Free. At the biopsy fourteen samples of my prostate were taken. All of the samples were cancerous and the results were:
| No of samples | Gleason scores | Total |
| 12 | 4+3 | 7 |
| 1 | 4+4 | 8 |
| 1 | 4+5 | 9 |
These results were pretty conclusive and the biopsy was followed up by an MRI scan on 23/2/2009 which showed significant spread to the seminal vessels and lymph nodes in my pelvis. I was diagnosed with a T3a cancer stage (see section on cancer staging)
Since the initial diagnosis I have had several CT scans and bone scans, both Radionuclide Scans and Bone Density Scans. Thankfully my bone scans have so far been clear. Bone density scans have shown early signs of osteopenia.
PSA scores
My PSA scores have never stabilised. My PSA reading just prior to diagnosis was 13.2. After starting the Zoladex medication it initially dropped to 0.99 but then rose to 1.6 by the beginning of March 2010 (a year later). Following the introduction of Casodex my PSA dropped again, this time to 0.59 (the lowest it has been since diagnosis) but it increased yet again to 1.9 by September 2010 and then 3.2 (the highest it has been since diagnosis) by November (click here for a graph of my PSA scores).
Treatments
I was put on three monthly injection of Zoladex in April 2009 following initial diagnosis. Following a series of rises in my PSA score I was also put on daily Casodex tablets from February 2010. I also take bisphosphonate tables for the osteopenia and Tanulfex to relax the urethra and improve my urinary function.
In January 2011 I undertook a course of Chemotherapy using Taxotere. Ten three week sessions were planned but the chemotherapy was halted after the eight session due to toxicity. During chemo my PSA fell to 1.6 but immediately began to rise as soon as chemo was halted.
In September 2011 I undertook a four week course of 3D Conformal radiotherapy.
I am a 55 year old male living in North London.
I am married to Sue (a primary school teacher) with three children, Kate aged 25, William aged 23 and Hannah aged 21.
I am a primary school head teacher. I have been a teacher for over 30 years and a head teacher for 16 years.
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