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A UTI was our alarm for prostate cancer

(11 Posts)
Drell Sat 30-Oct-21 23:06:01

My DH has just has his prostate removed (robotic surgery). He's 58 yrs old and we wouldn't have known but he had a UTI in May that landed him in hospital with sepsis...... and that started rounds of testing, (the bone scan was clear thank goodness). The catheter is removed next week and then we start the next stage of the recovery. They did nerve sparing surgery on one side, so time will tell what, if any, longer term damage there might be. At the end of the month we get the analysis of what they removed, so hope that it's good news. We researched the treatment options and everyone is different, but removal was the best choice for my DH.

I'm not suggesting that every UTI is prostate cancer, but I'd certainly encourage every man to have his PSA tested regularly.

CafeAuLait Sat 30-Oct-21 23:50:59

Thank you for the heads up. This wouldn't have occurred to me. All the best to your husband for his recovery. It sounds like it's been a challenging time, but at least it was found.

silverlining48 Sat 30-Oct-21 23:54:22

Drell good advice. We have a similar story and also decided on prostate surgery rather than radio therapy. Five years on all is still going well. Every man should get tested. It really does make sense.

Esspee Sun 31-Oct-21 09:28:25

My husband ignored the (admittedly tenuous) signs and by the time his was diagnosed it was terminal.
All men should have a routine PSA test. For some strange reason you have to request it and few do. I believe this is through ignorance, prostate cancer is rarely discussed among men and when it is it is usually jokes about the doctor performing a rectal digital examination.. What is done is a simple blood test. If the results are not good then, and only then, would a digital exam be necessary.
We need to get through to our menfolk that after 40 they need to have this simple test done regularly.

So please, please, discuss the subject with your menfolk.

Caught early it is easy to cure, left too late it is hopeless.

Kate1949 Sun 31-Oct-21 09:46:14

I agree. My husband has prostate cancer, thankfully in remission at present (diagnosed 8 years ago). His only symptom was getting up several times in the night to go to the loo. He is diabetic so he thought it was a symptom of that. Symptoms of PC are vague. There was a campaign on TV encouraging men to see their GP with symptoms, one of which was going to the loo a lot. Fortunately he will go to the docs if he thinks there's a problem. It was a shock to get the diagnosis and they couldn't remove the prostate for some reason but he had several weeks if radiotherapy and hormone injections. So far so good. Prostate cancer is a big killer and I don't know why they don't test men routinely. Esspee flowers

4allweknow Fri 12-Nov-21 13:40:10

Drell So glad the medics looked at the UTI a bit further rather than just take the simple view. Didn't happen that way with DH. Had bowel cancer 1997. Surgery went well.2004 he landed up with UTI so bad his urine looked like the best burgundy.
Admitted to hospital for a night. The ED dr who dealt with him before going to a ward advised me to pursue further investigations. Met with a blank wall. 2006 prostatectomy required for cancer. No surprise there. He is now at palliative care stage cancer returner with a vengeance. Radiotherapy, 10 sessions of chemo awaiting result. I am sure health care has moved on since 2004 bug I do wonder how many more men could be saved with an earlier diagnosis. All the Best to you and your DH and hoping for an All Clear outcome.

theworriedwell Fri 12-Nov-21 13:43:27

I wish my husband would listen, he gets frequent UTIs and I'm sure something is wrong but he won't listen. The GP knows what he's like so gives him ABs. He is so stubborn.

AGAA4 Fri 12-Nov-21 14:00:34

My husband had a UTI which cleared up with antibiotics. He had vague symptoms for years and refused to see a doctor claiming it was just stress.
When he was finally diagnosed it was too late and the cancer had invaded his bones. He had 18 months pain and died at just 51.
I would strongly urge any man who has any urinary problems to get checked. It could save their life.

theworriedwell Fri 12-Nov-21 14:13:28

I must try again with DH. I fear he will leave it too late.

AGAA4 Fri 12-Nov-21 14:25:12

theworriedwell

I must try again with DH. I fear he will leave it too late.

I wish I had been a nag and got my husband to the doctor sooner.

chelseababy Fri 12-Nov-21 16:03:45

Here's a women only Facebook group you might find useful....
facebook.com/groups/398839563905043/