I started this Blog after being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2010. I thought I was going to die! It was a way of keeping family and friends informed but then became a campaigning tool, helping to make improvements in hospitals nationally. 11 years on, after successful surgery, my PSA is still undetectable. I'm not continuing to Blog about prostate cancer, I'm hoping to leave it in the past, but this blog contains a great archive of information.
Prostate cancer runs in families, and my family gives no better example. My Dad died of it over 20 years ago. Thankfully, that was the reason I had regular checks. It landed on me 7 years ago, and then my brother Paul 4 years ago. We are both still survivors after surgery, but my brother Andre can only wait; will it pass him by? My son Kyle is now within the age group 40+ when he should be having regular PSA checks, but will he? I was diagnosed with no symptoms, my PSA was even within limits! My cancer was about to break out it was so advanced. I was a ticking bomb. I was lucky! Don't forget, it's not how large your PSA is that gives the clue that it could be prostate cancer, it's the increase in your PSA over time. My PSA was 3.8 before surgery, well within limits, but my doctor spotted that it had grown from 1.1 to 3.8 in just 2 years. Know your PSA. Know it every year and write it down. Know that at least you didn't welcome this cancer in through your front door.
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