My ‘Challenge’ with Prostate Cancer
By John Crow

In March of 2002 aged 59, I was officially diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  I say ‘officially’ because it is likely this disease had been lurking in the background for some time.

Having previously been fit, healthy and leading a very active and interesting life, such as travelling the world and pursuing many hobbies and interests, including Flying; Climbing; fast cars and computers, to be told you have cancer is quite a shock to say the least.

I had to take the view that this was yet another ‘Challenge’ in life and so followed all manner of treatments.

Problems began with the typical sign of frequent ‘peeing’, especially at night.
Call it fate if you will, but I had bought a book ‘Small Gland Big Problem’ by Professor of Urology Roger Kirby and having read it, I knew I had a problem, so ‘Thank you Roger’.  Roger Kirby is a trustee for the PCRC.

Several visits to the doctor and many antibiotics for Prostatitis did nothing to alleviate the problem, so I requested a referral, which I was advised could take 3 to 6 months.  This was not an option, so I paid to see a Urologist.  A PSA was taken which revealed an alarming 27ng/ml (normal should be below 4ng/ml), however by the time I had a Biopsy, this had risen to 32.5ng/ml.
The Biopsy indicated Cancer in both lobes of the Gland with a Gleason 6 score (moderately aggressive).
Bone and MRI scans did not indicate any spread outside the capsule, but the high PSA ruled out Surgery, as a result of which I was advised to take the Hormone therapy and Conformal Radiotherapy route (every day for 6 weeks) both of which can present some rather unpleasant side effects.

This treatment was initially successful, however the PSA started to rise again after 2 years and I was advised to recommence Hormone therapy in the form of an Anti Androgen (Casodex).

I knew that this treatment would not offer me a cure, and that eventually I would become resistant, so I decided to look for an alternative.

The alternative is HIFU, which involves a probe being placed in the rectum under general anaesthetic, and High Frequency Ultrasound totally ablating the interior of the Prostate and hence ‘frying’ the cancer to death.

As this was only recently performed by Mr Mark Emberton at the UCHL, we will not know for a few months whether it has been a success. The next PSA should be very low if the treatment has worked.

Had HIFU been available at the time of diagnosis, I would have opted for this method, since it offers a repeatable, safe method with the least side effects and risks. 

May I conclude with a message to all men?
Be aware of symptoms and do something about it NOW.
Anyone diagnosed with Prostate Cancer should “Fight it, and Beat it”, and don’t forget to involve wives and partners as, they suffer also.

Good Luck