There are some important personal experiences that I feel that I should share with you guys about the route to prostate cancer treatment.

Firstly, if you can – get private health insurance that includes unlimited cancer treatment.

On a blood test following my leg amputation I was found to have a high PSA count indicating prostate cancer. I was guided to a consultant who rubber gloved me and confirmed that I needed tests and treatment.

I was told that:
NHS treatment was as good and as fast as private treatment – not true.
That my best option was surgery – also not true.

Being mistrustful of NHS doctors and consultants (long story) I did some research. My BUPA health insurance had unlimited cancer treatment and I was guided to a private specialist cancer hospital.

I was seen immediately and had all the scans and biopsies straight away, because I’d already had 25 surgeries, 3 sepsis attacks and my leg amputated very recently I felt the mortality risk of surgery was too great and chose hormone and radiation therapy.

I was immediately put on hormone therapy and a minor surgery to inject a gel pack inbetween the prostate gland and colon so the colon wouldn’t be damaged by the radiation therapy. This is not available on the NHS.

I had a month of radiation and hormone therapy where I was given a CT scan before every session so they could target the cancer cells accurately. This is also not available on the NHS.

I could park (for free) right outside the hospital entrance, the environment was pleasant, the staff friendly and all appointments were on time. Stress is a big factor when receiving treatment.

The treatment was successful. Whilst there I met many people whose cancer had spread due to NHS waiting times and they had believed the consultants who told them that despite them having private insurance, NHS treatment was just as good.

Toward the end of my treatment I received a phone call from the NHS cancer nurse wanting to arrange a meeting in the future with the cancer team to discuss my treatment. I don’t know how long I would have waited and how far it might have spread in that time. Judging by the people I had spoken to I don’t think it would have been good.

The reason for this post is trust no one. Do your own research and make your own decisions.

Get private health insurance. It has literally saved my life 3 maybe 4 times. It gets expensive as you age but what price is your health and life worth?

I continuously fight for a good NHS as everyone deserves proper treatment that’s just not available. The scandal of waiting times and insufficient treatment is killing far too many people.

In summary:
Get tested regularly.
Don’t believe what you’re told.
Do your own research.
Get a good private health insurance.

By Steve Rowe