Men's things - Prostate Cancer blogs

A journey of discovery

Over the last 7 months, I have written a series of blogs about my journey to the discovery of malignant prostate cancer and the consequent treatment with radiotherapy along with the attendant side effects that I hope I am managing well.

I have compiled a range of blogs and annotated each to highlight how I navigated the issues that arose through each diagnostic and treatment stage.

The Men’s things blogs cover issues we need to be talking about and in this case, it is the prostate gland, the Photons on the Prostate blogs are of my experience having chosen radical radiotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Take the test

The need to have an eye on your prostate health is critical and you can start with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) Calculator. I did not know I had an enlarged prostate; I have always strained to pee and when it started, it was a weak stream with a feeling my bladder was not emptying completely.

It took a PSA test to determine my prostate was enlarged, that is always the first step, but your risk is heightened if you are a black man over 45, have had a brother or father with prostate cancer, or have had a sister or mother with breast cancer.

The technical terms are explained, linked, or illustrated in the blogs and I hope you find the information useful.

Men's things – Results of my PSA test have led to a Digital Rectal Examination; my doctor is concerned, and I received a referral.

Men's things - II – Taking a multiparametric MRI scan of my prostate gland.

Men's things - III – Why must I have a prostate biopsy? You have a PI-RADS score of 4.

Men's things - IV – Bear the pain under local anaesthetic as your reaction is informative.

Men's things - V – Some pain in the perineum, blood in the urine, and a few notes to self.

Men's things - VI – The wait can be a weight on your mind.

Men's things - VII – ‘Bring a friend’, suggests you might get some interesting news.

Men's things - VIII – Understanding your test results is crucial to having a voice in your health outcomes.

Men's things - IX – You have been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the prostate, I knew that already

Men's things - X – Finding yourself on a national cancer register after a cancer diagnosis.

Men's things - XI – Understanding the risk factors with prostate cancer in black men.

Men's things - XII – The daunting prospect of radical prostatectomy, not pleasant.

Men's things - XIII – Discussing the options for radical radiotherapy of the prostate.

Men's things - XIV – Holistic Needs Assessment managed by the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

Men's things - XV – It is always your body first before it is their guinea pig, my journey of discovery.

Men's things - XVI – Centring the patient in the medical conversation, the Predict Prostate website and the ProtecT study.

Men's things - XVII – Radiotherapy planning session, a CT scan and my first tattoos.

Men's things - XVIII – Creating the right mindset for a diagnosis of malignant prostate cancer; faith.

Men's things - XIX – Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) and the first experience.

Photons on the Prostate - I – Taking the first session of radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Photons on the Prostate - II – Understanding the protocols and arrangements around treatment.

Photons on the Prostate - III – Independence, vulnerability, and seeking help during illness.

Photons on the Prostate - IV – Radiotherapy; how the linear accelerator works – YouTube video.

Photons on the Prostate - V – Dealing with the side effects of radiotherapy; tolerating fatigue.

Men's things - XX – Getting a sick note and the need to be conversant of your medical situation.

Photons on the Prostate - VI – At the halfway point, hypofractionated radiotherapy is explained.

Photons on the Prostate - VII – Reflecting on independent arrangements for out-patient attendance.

Photons on the Prostate - VIII – Dealing with the side effects of radiotherapy; fatigue.

Men's things - XXI – The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) Calculator.

Photons on the Prostate - IX – Ringing the bell at the end of twenty radiotherapy sessions.

Photons on the Prostate - X – Dealing with the side effects of radiotherapy; the waterworks.