How can you tell....? - Cancer: Prostate Message Board

groundhog · 07-01-2003, 09:40 PM

When you guys got cancer, was there anything that you felt that was different? I assume you all had some type of protate problems leading up to the cancer...? Is there any type of things to look for that lead up to the cancer?

Also, can a CT scan determine if you have PC?

I've had prostate problems since about 30 years old. I'm now 43. In the last couple of months, I've had prostate "episodes" where I find myself not wanting to sit down so much due to discomfort. My normal low level dull pain (and quite often no pain) has given way to more sharp type pains. The doc did find blood in my urine about a month ago. Nothing in the CT scan. Nothing in the cystoscopy.

mckeener · 07-02-2003, 05:53 AM

Gorundhog,
I am the young prostate cancer patient named leo. My cancer was discovered by the doctor doing a ultrasound and then biopsies. I have found thisto be the best method. Prior to the ultrasound though i had no symptoms. Normal psa, and the cancer could not be found thru the finger wave. If you have already had some blood in your urine I would get to a urologist to get checked if your havent already. Good luck. If you need some one to talk to get back to me thru my posting. I am only 41 so i know its scary.
LEo

groundhog · 07-02-2003, 08:49 PM

Yes, but something must have gotten you to go to the doctor to get the ultrasound.. What happened that got you thinking - something's up.
groundhog

mckeener · 07-03-2003, 06:22 AM

groundhog,
What got me into the Doctor to start with was i had a low testostorone and had been on a hormone therapy for a couple of years. When I swithced Doctors, he was uncomfortable with the idea due to my family history. My father and paternal grandfather had prostrate cancer. On my mothers side she her mother and one of my aunts had breast cancer. The doctor then sent me to a urologist who like the original doctor thought with my family history I needed to be checked out more thoroughly. Thats when they did the ultra sound and biopsies and discovered the prostate cancer. Leo

Dave A · 07-03-2003, 11:41 PM

Groundhog,
One of the things that's troubling about this disease is that it seldom has any notable symptoms in its early stages. This is why everyone over 40 should have a regular exam that includes a DRE and PSA blood test (a CT scan won't do the trick). The books set the lower age limit at 50 but there seems to be quite a few younger guys being diagnosed. My PCa was caught during a routine physical. I'm presently at stage T2. If I hadn't blown off my annual check-up for the past three years, maybe I could have caught it at stage T1. Symptoms or not, get the exam ... it's worth the peace of mind.
Dave

[This message has been edited by Dave A (edited 07-04-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Dave A (edited 07-04-2003).]