Interview 25

Age at interview: 77

Brief Outline:

He has had urinary symptoms (frequency) since 2003. His GP suggested regular PSA tests. In 2005 the PSA result was 6.9ng/ml. His GP reassured him that there was no need for further action. He has not needed treatment for symptoms.

Background:

Occupation: Worked in technical services (retired). Marital status: married. Number of children: 1. Ethnic background: White British.

When he got his PSA result his GP reassured him that everything was alright but he wanted more information.

How long did you have to wait to get the results?

Usually about three or four days.

Oh very quick. 

Very quick and he would normally ring me up and tell me 'I have the result of your PSA,' and he would tell me over the phone what the result was except I've never recorded it you see only on, only on the last one I had.

So you recorded the last one, that was this year 2005?

That was February this year yes.

And what did you say the result was for that one?

6.9

And did he tell you what that meant at all?

No, no I've never questioned him on that because I've foolishly not asked what that is or how much higher that goes, how much higher can it go before some action has got to be taken?

Did he say at all what that meant in any way at all, how did the conversation go?

He wasn't concerned about that figure at all.

Right oh that's good.

No he reassured me everything was alright and there was no need for any action at that time.

Quotes information from a leaflet his GP gave him, called 'PSA testing for prostate cancer'. He found it useful.

So it [the leaflet] describes the benefits of the PSA test and the down side of a PSA test?

Yes so should I have, benefits of PSA testing, do you want me to read this?

Please yes.

It may provide reassurance if a test result was normal. It may find cancer before symptoms develop. It may detect cancers in early stage when treatments could be beneficial. If treatment is successful the consequence of more advanced cancer is avoided. And the down side of PSA testing, it can miss cancer and provide false reassurance. It may lead to unnecessary anxiety and medical tests when no cancer is present. It might detect slow growing cancer that may never cause any symptoms or shorten lifespan. The main treatments of prostate cancer have significant side-effects and there is no certainty that the treatment will be successful.

So do you remember did you find all that information useful or not?

Well it gave me a good insight as to what you may end up with'