IShould I have fear of having prostate biopsy done at age 69?

Question

I have been schelduled to have prostate biopsy done next week and I truely fear intrusions of any kind . Three years ago I had a slight congestive heart failure and I am taking meds for high blood pressure/cholesterol.I am a MARINE viet-Nam veteran and tense-up when expecting pain or the unknown. Iam quick to become apprehensive about side effects... Thanks for any assuring comments.

Answer 1

Just don't worry, if general anesthesia is not possible , they will go for a spinal.
Get a Biopsy done and wait for its histopathological (H/P) report, most probably it will be BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) as you must be experiencing dribbling and frequency of micturation or in severe cases it's causes acute urinary retention.
This will be followed by a TURP operation if necessary. Follow your doctor's advise.
This will improve quality of life, so don't get depressed, OK.
EX Army Doctor.

Answer 2

Try turning your thoughts around ... not that the doctors are going to be cutting into your body and giving you pain, but about how much better your life will be when you no longer have the 'worry' about prostate cancer in your head all the time. If you aren't actively worried about it, it's still in your mind, because what we can't handle in the conscious world gets filed (and dealt with) in the subconscious ... and it's that fear that is making this 'tensing up' so bad. Think about the after, and what you would do if you do have cancer and need treatment, and what you would do if you find that you don't have cancer, and only need a bit of 'fixing' to be able to get back to being the 'real you' again.
I know how hard it is for anyone who has had any kind of 'congestive heart failure' ... I've had that twice myself, and not slight, but major both times. You want to 'pull in' and pull away from real life, because it 'injured' you ... and now, once again, the doctors want to poke and prod, and you are worried ... not about the possibility of cancer nearly as much as the doctors 'invading' your body again. So FIGHT ... and while I don't mean fight the doctors with violence, I do mean FIGHT. Get angry at this 'invasion' by the cancer cells. Picture your 'possible' cancer cells as being soldiers from an invading planet ... look at how small and weak and sickly they are. And you have this wonderful strong army ... your immune system cells ... and PLAN the different strategies they will use to 'trap' these little weaklings, and surround them, and then kill them to protect the 'normal cells' of your whole body ... and then visualize that EVERY DAY, FIVE TIMES A DAY both before and after your 'exploratory invasion' by a good neighboring country (the doctors) ... you will begin to feel better, and the 'pain' of them cutting into you will be 'welcome' ... and whether or not you have cancer, you will KNOW that you will be well and happy and strong again, because you are a SOLDIER, and a soldier doesn't hide in his bunker and whimper ... a SOLDIER gets out there and FIGHTS as hard as he can, for the FREEDOM that comes only following a really good war.

Answer 3

Prostate biopsies are routinely performed, and it quite useful in determining the diagnosis. The idea of having this done, is scary and that is a normal reaction. Think about this, once this is done, you will know if you have something to worry about or not. The lesser of the two evils is having the biopsy vs. not. If you feel that you are anxious, ask your Doc if you can take a mild tranquilizer prior to the procedure. A fine needle is used to obtain tissue samples of the prostate. Depending on how they approach/obtain the biopsy, most times, you are given a local anesthetic and sometimes, again, depending on the approach to the prostate, general anesthesia will be given. Please discuss your feelings/issues with the Doc who will be performing the biopsy. How you are feeling is normal. I hope that this helps and Good Luck.

Answer 4

At age 69 I am not sure that it is worth it. Prostate cancer is slow growing and generally even those who test positive are going to have time to die of something else before the cancer can turn into a problem. Even if the test came back positive I would also hesitate to start chemo at your age with your medical history. You might be more comfortable and live longer without chemo.

I would talk it over with your doctor. What do they expect to find? If it is positive, how do they plan to treat it?

Answer 5

Look at it this way,if you don't have the biopsy,you won't know if you have a malignancy,and you could die way before your time Prostate cancer is a real concern for men your age,and one of the most curable cancers,when found early.Your family will be left to deal with needless pain & sorrow. Biopsies are done everyday,without complications,it's a proven life saver.Patients with all sorts of conditions like yours can tolerate them without complications.Trust your MD,speak to him about your fears & anxieties.Lots of good info at Google.Take care. SW FNP

Answer 6

I would get a second, third and fourth opinion on this. Talk to men who have had prostate surgery. And research the most common treatments in other nations. Most men who choose to have this done, regret it. Surgeons do not tell men about the impotence and urinary problems associated with this surgery. Nor do they tell them how long men live without treatment. You need to talk to experienced men and research your options.

Answer 7

i understand your fear. if you will not be "put under" for this procedure, i suggest you voice your concerns with the nurse or doctor. they can give you something to calm you down, like a mild seditive, which they probably will do anyway. its good to have these things checked out, dont worry!