Peter

Diagnosis

Peter was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001 after a routine check up at his GP surgery. He had no symptoms and had not suspected anything was wrong. Because of his age, his doctor had suggested having a routine Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and the results showed a high level of PSA. In December 2001, after further PSA tests, ultrasound scans and a biopsy, Peter learned that he had prostate cancer.  

Peter received NHS radiotherapy treatment followed by a series of hormone injections and tablets which left Peter feeling tired. After months of constant treatment, in which he landscaped his entire back garden to help him cope with the situation, his treatment was complete. 

Peter told us...

"I had radiotherapy five days a week for nearly eight weeks and then tablets and injections of hormones to shrink and kill the aggressive prostate cancer. I didn’t want to have surgery because I felt the risks of surgery were too high. Nevertheless, my treatment, although not surgical, was not without side effects of night sweats and extreme tiredness. When we were told it was gone I was so relieved.

I continued to have regular PSA tests with Professor Barua every six months and gradually from 2002 it began to show results of a rising PSA. By the beginning of 2008 Professor Barua said he was convinced the cancer was back but the biopsies did not confirm this. I was put on surveillance and had another MRI scan in 2009. After a biopsy in 2011 I learned that I had prostate cancer again. 

After surviving cancer once, it was a real blow when it returned. This was not unexpected because they had been keeping an eye on me, but no less devastating to me and my family."

A second chance

“I learned that radiotherapy can ‘fuse’ the prostate to the bladder making subsequent removal very difficult without damaging the bladder and many men in my situation years ago would have had no other treatment available if the prostate cancer returned.Luckily, Professor Barua could offer me HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) - which  could treat the prostate cancer regardless of the previous radiotherapy and hormone treatment. This meant that, unlike other men in my position years earlier, I had a second chance. I used my medical insurance to pay for private HIFU treatment at Spire Hartswood Hospital in Brentwood, Essex”

Private HIFU treatment

One week before his HIFU treatment, Peter went into Spire Hartswood Hospital for an assessment and was given sachets to drink which would help clear his bowels ready for treatment.

On the day of treatment Peter was shown to a private en-suite bedroom before being taken to the operating theatre where Professor Barua carried out the HIFU treatment. Peter explains: “The treatment lasted about three hours, during which I was asleep under general anaesthetic. My wife was able to wait for me in my room and nothing was too much trouble; we were very well looked after.

I would say that the treatment left me feeling uncomfortable and I went home with a catheter that was removed a week later. After three months I had a follow up appointment with Professor Barua which included a PSA test and MRI and everything seemed fine. This was confirmed at the latest follow up in March 2012.”

Prostate cancer - something to think about

“I feel that private medical insurance saved my life. I could have waited six months for an NHS appointment and it may have been too late. Another thing to think about is that I had no symptoms the first time around. I was a healthy 59 year old. Don’t wait for symptoms, if you are over 50 or have a family history of prostate cancer then ask your GP for a PSA test. If you do have symptoms please don’t ignore them until it is too late.

I have recently found out that a relative of mine has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, so if you know someone else who has symptoms, tell them to see their GP. You could save their life.

And finally, it’s important to stay positive and find out as much as you can about treatment options. When I was first diagnosed there was hardly any information out there but this time around there was so much more which was helpful to me and my family.

I was also lucky to have a consultant who specialised in prostate cancer and who could offer me a second chance. We are staying positive for the future and taking each day as it comes.”