Personalised Care

Andrew (right) is passionate about fundraising for prostate and pancreatic cancer charities.

“In my late 50s, I had a problem with my tummy. I decided to speak to my GP about it, who asked me if I’d ever been tested for prostate cancer. Thinking back, I hadn’t, and so I went along for a PSA test*. After a slightly nervous wait, the results came back at just over four, which is a little high, but not necessarily a huge concern.

“Because my PSA was slightly high, I went back for a PSA test every six months after that. It always fluctuated between 3.9 and 4.2 and therefore seemed okay. This was until one test, when I was 63 in December 2020, which showed, despite a lack of any other symptoms, my PSA had gone up to 4.6, so the consultant suggested I have an MRI. I wasn’t too concerned, as my urologist assured me it was a precaution and my PSA still wasn’t very high.”

*A PSA test is a blood test to measure the amount of a prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and by prostate cancer cells. It’s normal to have a small amount of PSA in the blood, and this even rises as men age because the prostate increases in size. A high PSA level can be an indicator of cancer or another problem with the prostate. Regular PSA testing can help GPs spot a problem early, even if there are no other symptoms.

“In May 2021, I received an MRI scan at Scunthorpe General Hospital. When attending my results appointment with a urologist, they said they’d found a lesion on my prostate and that it was best to investigate it further.

“I was then booked in for a biopsy, again at Scunthorpe General Hospital. My appointment took the full morning and I had 15-20 samples taken, but my wife Jenny and I were given plenty of cuppas – the nursing staff were brilliant. Two weeks passed and the results came – I had cancer. On the day of my results, my workplace has asked me to take part in a fundraiser for Men’s Health Week as they knew I fundraise for pancreatic cancer charities. It was ironic to receive the results I did.

“Later, another biopsy appointment confirmed a large tumour, bigger than I and they expected, and I was given a full diagnosis at the end of September 2021. My tumour was stage one with a Gleason score of 7.

“There are several options for treatment when it comes to prostate cancer, and I was given a choice between radiotherapy, hormone treatment, or surgery. After speaking with Jenny and some friends at a Brigg fundraising group, I decided to have surgery to remove the tumour.

Andrew (left) and a friend fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK.

“On 28^th November, I had a robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) and have been recovering since then. I’m still tired, in pain, and have been off work for six months now, but I’m happy to have found my prostate cancer and had the procedure. In two weeks, I’ll be going for another CT scan to see if there are any other problems underlying.

“Although prostate cancer isn’t nice, knowing your risk and contacting your GP if concerned can help you get an earlier diagnosis. Men who are black or who are aged over 50, like I was when I was diagnosed, are most at risk. Knowing your risk is important, as it can help you and your GP decide whether you should be monitored or undergo tests, such as a PSA test, for prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer doesn’t always have symptoms, but Prostate Cancer UK’s risk checker can help you determine your risk in 30 seconds. I’d encourage all men to use the risk checker and contact their GP if they have a higher risk.”

After experiencing persistent symptoms that weren’t normal for her, Christine was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Here, she tells her story and explains her advice for anyone experiencing something similar.

Towards the end of January 2019, my entire body began to feel itchy. I tried everything to stop it, from soothing sprays to creams and antihistamine tablets,  but nothing worked. I wasn’t in any pain anywhere, but I felt maybe a little more tired.

On 1st February at around 3 am, I couldn’t stand the itching anymore, and asked my husband to take me to A&E, where I’d hoped they’d give me a strong antihistamine injection or some tablets to help. However, the young doctor who saw me insisted on doing a blood test, which I think saved my life.

Christine credits a blood test in A&E for saving her life.

After waiting a while, I received my results. The doctors said there may be a blocked liver duct, but I’d need more tests to confirm this. I was allowed to go home but would return for CT scans and MRI appointments. On Monday morning, I felt ‘out of sorts’ and fainted at home. Martin, my husband, took me back to the hospital, where they kept me in for 5 days to do some tests.

Over the next few weeks, I had various other tests done. I also started being jaundiced and my urine was much darker than usual. It was evident something was seriously wrong, so an appointment was made to see the consultant at Castle Hill.

The consultant at Castle Hill confirmed I had pancreatic cancer and was faced with two options. I could either have a Whipple’s procedure, which would give me at least another five years, or do nothing, which would leave me with five to eight months.

I returned for further scans the next day and would be back in hospital on the 13th March for surgery on the 14th. I brought an overnight bag with me for my scans, so the consultant decided to keep me in until the next day for my pre-op tests. However, whilst on the ward, I needed rehydrating, and was kept in the hospital until my operation.

My operation, which required two surgeons, lasted for 10 hours and I spent 10 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) until finally arriving home on the 5^th April.I felt isolated without the ward staff but was very well looked after by Martin and by friends who would do anything for us. Some kind friends had given us a hospital bed to use at home, and Martin made a bedroom for me in the dining room. I actually stayed downstairs until January 2020!

When I left the hospital, I was given a prescription of Creon tablets, which is a medication to replace the enzymes usually made by the pancreas to break down food. I have to take these tablets with everything I eat.

I also began chemotherapy in June 2019, which I had for six months. I recovered well from this and my main problem since has been with my digestive system. I have learned to live with this, however, and I am hoping to speak to the dietician again to see if anything can be done to ease my digestive problems.

I still see my oncologist every four months to have my bloods checked, and then every six months for a CT scan.

If anyone has anything ‘different’ happening to them, i.e. it’s not normal for you, seek professional advice. Although it pays to talk things over with family and friends and look online,  you can’t believe everything you’re told or see on the internet. Speak to your GP as they have the experience and knowledge to help you best. Staying positive helped me with my recovery, so I’d always recommend that!

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:

• the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow (jaundice), you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
• feeling tired or having no energy
• a high temperature, or feeling hot or shivery

For more information, go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pancreatic-cancer/.

Mum, grandma and former Medical Secretary Margaret didn’t experience any pain before her cancer diagnosis but still booked an appointment with her GP. Here, Margaret describes her cancer journey and highlights the importance of noticing whether a symptom is ‘normal’ for you.

My cancer diagnosis came as a shock. I felt well. I didn’t have a sore throat or any pain in my mouth, and I wasn’t experiencing any problems swallowing. The only thing different was that I felt like I had a hair in my mouth and needed to swallow more often. The symptom was persistent, so after a couple of months, I used a mirror to look into my throat, where I saw what looked like a tiny eye or shiny circle, and immediately booked an appointment with my GP.

Margaret’s symptom was persistent, unexplained, and unusual for her. Talk to your GP if you’re experiencing a symptom that is any of these.

My GP referred me to a consultant who, within 10 days, organised for me to attend the hospital as a day case and have the tonsil removed. Another 10 days after that, I saw the consultant again to receive the results of a biopsy on the tonsil. The consultant informed me it was cancer, more specifically, a lymphoma. My official diagnosis was a first-grade non-Hodgkin large cell lymphoma that had been caught early.

A couple of weeks later, I went for chemotherapy. In the end, I only had two sessions of the chemo, as it made me feel really unwell, and the results proved another session wouldn’t benefit me that much. Instead, I had radiotherapy a few weeks later.

Since my cancer diagnosis, I’ve tried to remain positive and keep looking forward. My role model has been my younger sister, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer six months before my own diagnosis. Like me, she didn’t have many symptoms – only an itch for a week or so. She has since had an operation and is now doing well.

I lost a lot of weight because of my tonsillectomy, chemo, and radiotherapy, and have experienced other side-effects such as a sore throat, mouth, and neck. Most of my other side effects have disappeared. I’m slowly getting back to a healthy weight and have been drinking nutritional supplement milkshakes to help. I began to experience extreme tiredness after undergoing x-rays, blood tests, a colonoscopy, and taking steroids to treat a cough I’ve had since my chemotherapy. I’ve stayed in touch with my Macmillan nurse, a dietitian and my GP practice nurse throughout everything.

I have COPD and diabetes, which have both made me feel weak, but since beginning to take long daily walks on the seafront, I’ve felt so much better. I still have the cough, but I’m using medication and a Flutter to manage it. I’m also having B12 injections and taking iron tablets to reduce my tiredness.

I have been continually checked on by health professionals, and the questions they asked ensured I informed them of anything and everything that was not normal to me. They never made me feel guilty about asking questions or getting in contact a lot. Everyone was helpful and caring. They let nothing go unchecked, which is what revealed my B12 deficiency – it may have gone unnoticed for some time otherwise.

My advice to others in my position would be to stay positive and see the future as something to look forward to – always keep the little things in mind. You can’t expect every day to be good so listen to your body. If you need to sit down or sleep – do so.

Always remember to talk to your GP about any problems or symptoms concerning you and get help when you need it!

If you’re experiencing a persistent ache or pain, unexplained weight loss, or an unusual lump. Speak to your GP. Remember, if it’s persistent, unexplained, or unusual for you, it’s important to get it checked.