Hi, my name is Stanley. I’m a team manager from the UK. I was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer that’s since been regraded to stage 3. I think my cancer journey is a fairly unusual one. I have not come across anyone who has had 7 biopsies and MRI scans over a 10-year period before getting a diagnosis and treatment plan. I think it is indicative of having small slow growing tumors that have been hard to locate.
I didn’t have any symptoms. A routine blood test 9 years ago picked up an abnormal PSA result. In the nine years since, I had PSA tests annually or semi-annually, which showed steadily rising PSA.
2018: I had my first MRI scan and biopsy, but the results were inconclusive.
2019: It was repeated to the same result. I was put on two courses of antibiotics to see if the abnormal PSA was due to prostatitis, but it had no effect on my PSA. I was treated for an enlarged prostate by being put on Dutasteride for a year, which dropped my PSA from about 16 to around 2-3, but as soon as I stopped the Dutasteride, my PSA bounced back to previous levels.
2021: I had my third scan and biopsy, again inconclusive.
2022: My fourth scan and biopsy, negative.
2023: My fifth, also negative.
March 2024: My PSA had risen to 22.
May/June 2024: I was sent for the scan and biopsy, leading to a formal cancer diagnosis of T2c, Gleason 6, with cancer found in 3/12 cores. However the MDT were not happy with the results of the MRI and biopsy and requested a rebiopsy.
August 2024: I was scheduled for a rebiopsy, which was cancelled on the day by the surgeon. He felt with so many previous negative biopsies and my anxiety about previous biopsies, that I was a good candidate for an MRI Fusion Biopsy under general anesthetic. This was scheduled for September, so at that point, I had neither a completed diagnosis nor treatment plan.
September 2024: The repeat biopsy was cancelled due to technical reasons, and rebooked in November. It was cancelled again for technical reasons and rebooked.
February 2025: The repeat biopsy finally took place.
March 2025: My cancer was regraded to T3a/b, Gleason 7 (4+3).
When I received the diagnosis, I was fearful and sad because of the knowledge that the treatment options will impact my life.
I was told I would be offered treatment, which would likely be hormone therapy and radiotherapy OR surgery, but I needed more scans to confirm the options. I went for an MRI, CT and bone scans and it took 7 weeks to get the results and be formally offered the treatment plan in the third week of May 2025.
Two days later, I was offered a telephone appointment with an oncologist and an in-person appointment with a cancer surgeon. I decided that surgery is the right choice for me and I am on a waiting list of approximately 8 weeks, so I am expecting it to be towards the end of July. I am not on any medications, but will be taking part in an antihormonal window trial three weeks before surgery.
In terms of lifestyle changes, I have been advised to start pelvic floor exercises 6 times a day as prehabilitation to help with post-surgery incontinence. I am increasing my exercise regimen (swimming) to be as fit as I can before surgery. I have stopped drinking alcohol for the last few months, and also avoided caffeinated drinks as they can affect bladder problems. I haven't really changed my diet as I think I have a fairly good diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber.
Talking therapy and yoga has been particularly helpful for me so far.
I still continued to work after my diagnosis as I needed the income to support myself and my loved ones. My employer offered some accommodations as well. I enjoy the job. I may need to take time off, but I see no need to give up working.
Since I was diagnosed, I’ve faced challenges in my personal life, such as in my social life and relationship with loved ones. Counselling, support groups and antidepressant medication have helped me so far. In fact, I have been treated for anxiety and depression over the last year through medication and CBT counseling, which has helped a great deal. I have plans to retire in March 2026.
My greatest fear was becoming incontinent and losing sexual function. I am fairly confident that my cancer has been caught early and is treatable, so I don't fear that it will be life limiting. However, I fear the treatment will be life changing. Unfortunately, I have not been successful in overcoming this fear. I try not to think about it or if I do, hope that I will be in the % (percentage) of men who recover continence and recuperate some sexual function in time.
I still feel sad now, but also somewhat neutral. I have a resigned acceptance of the situation.
To other cancer patients, I’d say to keep busy. Connect with friends. Make day trips and weekend trips to have a break from home. Take up a new skill or hobby. Join a class. Talk plenty of walks. Do fun stuff. Be spontaneous.
You will have good days and bad days. Be kind to yourself. It's OK to have bad days, to cry, to feel sad. Cherish the good days; it will get easier and you will have more good than bad days. Don't let the cancer define you or dominate your life; it is just another personal project you have to take care of, amongst all the other things going on in your life.
This patient's story is published and shared with their full consent. Any personal data that can be used to identify the patient has been omitted.
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