prostate cancer screening

Here in BC the age for screening is 55 unless someone is deemed high risk. DH has elevated levels of PSA, has had an MRI, and is on a watch list since there was an 'area of concern'.

Hopefully it will not have changed on his next screening. He is 63 and concerned. I realize not all prostate cancers grow quickly, and they don't want to do a biopsy unless there is change. He has a friend who has had his prostate removed and is on hormone therapy, so has some idea of what could be in store.

David49

I did wonder why Bidens aggressive cancer wasn’t picked up earlier

Is it deliberately not treating elderly men for prostate problems
Is there an age where women don’t get screened?

In the UK, NHS screening of women is not routinely carried out for cervical cancer after the age of 64. Breast screening is not routinely carried out after the age 71.

should have said, this is NHS Scotland and DH still gets PSA tested every year.

Our GP hearing FIL died fast of an aggressive prostate cancer, recommended fit healthy DH (60) should be regularly PSA blood tested . First 2, all clear,. Third; high count , followed by rectal exam and urgent referral. Gleason score of 9 (same as Biden) and an aggressive type, still contained (just) within the prostate. Targeted radiotherapy + hormone treatment; full recovery and still in complete remission .

DH had NO SYMPTOMS; psa testing saved his life.

Our sons now get PSA tested from age 50. (familial risk entitlement) .

Gillgran sorry to hear this, hopefully the hormone treatment will work. Take care if each other,
Just want to say that my dh had a very low psa score (4!) but he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had his surgery 7 years ago. He is still being checked, but annually now. Unfortunately he has been diagnosed with another cancer elsewhere so we are back on the treadmill again.

gillgran

I'm following Joe Biden's diagnosis & possible treatments, as my DH had the same diagnosis a few months ago.
I don't know what checks are made routinely in USA, but I feel sure that JB would have had access to the best of medical care.

Here in the UK, I think men over 50 can request a blood test for prostate cancer.

My DH has had this test each year for at least the past 8 years.
Six months ago we thought DH "just" had a low level prostate cancer, (quite common for his age group).
Unfortunately, it took a MRI & a CT scan, 2 differing biopsies, then a PET scan, before diagnosis of this aggressive cancer that has spread to his bones.
He is receiving hormone treatment.

I wish you and your husband the very best and hope he tolerates the hormone treatment well.

^Is it deliberately not treating elderly men for prostate problems^I believe the risk reward after 70 dictates the treatment.

Is there an age where women don’t get screened? Yes. 65

I'm following Joe Biden's diagnosis & possible treatments, as my DH had the same diagnosis a few months ago.
I don't know what checks are made routinely in USA, but I feel sure that JB would have had access to the best of medical care.

Here in the UK, I think men over 50 can request a blood test for prostate cancer.

My DH has had this test each year for at least the past 8 years.
Six months ago we thought DH "just" had a low level prostate cancer, (quite common for his age group).
Unfortunately, it took a MRI & a CT scan, 2 differing biopsies, then a PET scan, before diagnosis of this aggressive cancer that has spread to his bones.
He is receiving hormone treatment.

David49

I did wonder why Bidens aggressive cancer wasn’t picked up earlier

Is it deliberately not treating elderly men for prostate problems
Is there an age where women don’t get screened?

Yes. Women do not get called for mammograms after age 70 and it is very difficult to get one after that age even if you have had breast cancer. Routine cervical screening ceases at 65.

Sorry Jaxjacky, my mistake.

Casdon the FIT tests for bowel cancer are issued from age 50-74 I believe.

You can request to still have breast screening after the age of 70. There’s a number to ring on your last letter.

MrJ had his latest test organised by the local Lions Club (a charity) they set up in the nearest town and do this regularly.

BlueBelle

Yes there is a cut off age I haven’t had any tests for the last 10 years

Many of our friends, ( more than half) have lost wives to breast cancer, a couple of others have had mastectomies early, it’s sad the women have departed first, against the usual trend.
The saddest of all, if possible, one has a wife with Alzheimer’s, I was at school with them both 60 yrs ago!.

Yes there is a cut off age I haven’t had any tests for the last 10 years

David49

I did wonder why Bidens aggressive cancer wasn’t picked up earlier

Is it deliberately not treating elderly men for prostate problems
Is there an age where women don’t get screened?

Yes, the cut off age for women is 70 for breast cancer screening, as it is for bowel screening for both ages in the UK. You can request to be screened after that, but it’s down to you to ask.

I do wonder with Biden if this is a new diagnosis, or if he has been treated previously and kept it quiet.

Several of my friend have had prostate procedures successfully the main negative side effect that is affects the sex function, not too much of a problem if you’re both around 80, might be if you have a young wife. (none have).

Prostate screening is dogged by false negatives, false positives and basically the NHS doesn't have the resources to deal with surge in people needing further investigation (MRI). It doesn't have the resources to cope with the current demand for prostate treatment .
Most prostate cancers, especially in over 80 year olds are slow growing and treatment will likely only hinder quality of life
Awareness of the importance of screening men with a father or brother with prostate cancer, black men and Jewish men should be heightened as they are far more at risk than others.
prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20325900934&gclid=CjwKCAjw87XBBhBIEiwAxP3_A0t3Z1OtlhmIwIFXQ4SCNz6R0jd-T_pK0u0VFw_5KYyYIycatKLs6xoCpEkQAvD_BwE

Is there an age where women don’t get screened?

At my recent mammogram I was told the cut-off is age 71, so I can expect to be called once more in three years time.
If I feel I want to continue regular screening I can ask.
Mum had a mastectomy at age 71 so I shall carry on.

Routine cervical screening (smear tests) are offered every three years from age 25 to 49, then every five years from age 50 to 64.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme stops inviting people aged 65 and over, unless they have had recent abnormal tests or are undergoing treatment.

We wonder the same David49. My husband is only a couple years younger than Biden and has had PSA test regularly through his 70's. In fact, it began to rise so they did MRI and then biopsied and found he has low grade prostrate cancer. His doctors follow him closely for any changes. This has all been done as a matter of routine and not one doctor has suggested no testing due to age. Actually, quite the opposite.

I did wonder why Bidens aggressive cancer wasn’t picked up earlier

Is it deliberately not treating elderly men for prostate problems
Is there an age where women don’t get screened?

The blood test can be misleading and give false positive results.

Having said that, DH asked for blood tests on a yearly basis. He had a test that gave the GP cause for concern. He referred dh and he was found to have early prostate cancer and bladder cancer.

Erica23

My friends DH 67 asked his GP for a test last week. after seeing something on tv. Because he hasn’t got any symptoms he was told it’s not necessary.

This can’t be right surely?
There has recently been a surge in making men aware of the available blood test. Your friends DH needs to ask for a second opinion………screening is far better than having to have treatment.

My friends DH 67 asked his GP for a test last week. after seeing something on tv. Because he hasn’t got any symptoms he was told it’s not necessary.

In the states also but my (now 80 year old) dh has no issue getting screened for prostrate cancer. His doctor stays on top of it and it is paid for in full by Medicare and/or his ins supplement. So it makes zero sense to us that Biden wasn't also followed for this. In fact, we find that hard to believe.