Prostate biopsy

[sherrardk]

My dad has just phoned and told me he has to have a prostate biopsy in the next 2 - 3 weeks. He is 54. What could be the reasons for this. (I prefer to be forewarned - especially after the sh!te year we had last year.) Thanks

[BertiWooster]

That sounds like it is an investigation with respect to Prostate cancer , in order to confirm or rule out .

[icemaiden]

My friends husband is having one next week. I can tell you what I know. (although hopefully Sqad will come on here and give you more details).


My friends husband had bloodtests that showed he was high risk of prostate cancer (his dad had it). He has been sent a prescription for antibiotics, he needs to start these the day before, just as a precaution.

He will go in hospital as a day patient where they will inject local anaesthetic in to the prostrate and then take about 14-15 biopsies of it. I do believe it is uncomfortable as they go in via the rectum. The results will be sent to his GP. He has been told not to do any lifting or physical excercise for the next few days and it's possible that he may have blood in his stools and in his urine, but this is normal.

Sounds awful, but he needs peace of mind.
Hope he gets on ok.

[anneasquith]

14-15 biopsies, seems a lot of tissue removal. look forward to hearing from any aber who may have gone through this procedure.

[sherrardk]

Thanks for the thorough response icemaiden. Obviously it's very worrying, especially as around this time last year my mother was diagnosed with bowel cancer and she died on 9 March.

[Sqad]

sherrardk...........I can add nothing further to the above posters except to add, that he obviously has had a blood test which showed a high PSA level indicative but not diagnostic of prostate cancer.

[carlton23]

sherrardk, I have had Prostate Cancer since 2003 and as icemaiden said, it is an uncomfortable procedure but I am still making a good go of it and I am 76yrs of age. My intention is to live til 100...so far...so good...so there...Wish him the very good best of luck, I`ll pray he`s ok.

[zingo1327]

I'm going in for one next week.My brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer and my dad died of it.
When he was diagnosed the consultant asked him to contact all his brothers and have us go in for a blood test.
My blood test was on the high side of normal (3 to 4) so they follow this up with a biopsy.Hope your dad is as me and it's only (I hope) a precaution

[BertiWooster]

I recall a scientific study which reported , a while back - that eating cauliflower or Brocolli reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer

[Sqad]

Berti....correct me if I am wrong, but i think that particular study came from a unit in Canada. It has always been known that eating vegetables and fruit reduced the incidence of ALL cancers, but I think that all medical opinion is that there is not ONE particular fruit or vegetable that is "top of the league"

That study has not been replicated, but is indeed interesting.

[Purple_Popple]

I've heard Pomegranate juice may prevent prostate cancer...

[Sqad]

Purple......NOTHING will prevent Prostate cancer, but fruit and vegetables will reduce the incidence of that and indeed, all cancers.

[icemaiden]

Sorry to hear that your mother had cancer. It's natural to be worried about your dad sherrardk, it's good that the hospital are being thorough. I'm sure he will be fine.
If you remember, would like to know the outcome.

[Chaffinch]

Carlton23, why quit at a 100 go for 110 and get really wrinkly xxxxx

[Purple_Popple]

Squad, my post read 'may' prevent it, like dark coloured fruit & veg can help protect against cancers due to the antioxidents they contain.

[Sqad]

Purple....it did indeed.

[Huderon]

For what it's worth, when I had the biopsy done, there was no anaesthetic used (well I don't remember one being used), and though a bit uncomfortable, it wasn't really that bad.

The samples have to be taken via the rectum (there just isn't any other easy way to get to the prostate) but the probe about as thick as a finger, so not as uncomfortable as you might think. When they took the tissue samples it felt more like a sharp tap than a needle being stuck in, and I didn't notice any bleeding or blood in my stools afterwards.

[jones451]

Hi sherrardk,sorry to hear about your dad at least he knows theres a problem and can take action,my friend had biopsy and treatment about 5 yrs back still here.As far as trying to prevent prostate cancer I also read a theory by aussie doctors 10 years back suggesting having as much sex as possible to empty prostate gland and remove any pollutants that we ingest from food,environment etc.So suggested this to partner to keep me healthy.
I recently had colon health scare ( failed faecal test ) so had private ct scan blood tests.Tests proved all clear just minor bowel problem.PSA test came out at well below 1.0
Am I just lucky or were they correct?