"Delayed prostate cancer diagnosis"

A relative of mine started experiencing the same symptoms as another relative of theirs that had died from prostate cancer, so they decided to get themselves checked out. We have had a two-year journey of delayed diagnosis which has resulted in a very pessimistic outcome for his future.

The hospital is more than a few hours away, with public transport and multiple bus and train transfers mean it isn't an option for an elderly man. A taxi is expensive  and the cab drivers will be travelling out of area so they cannot pick up a fare for the return trip. The only option is to rely on me to take time off work and drive him in. He is reluctant to go if he has to take a taxi.

We didn't expect that it would take 20 trips to the hospital with each one taking half a day, before a biopsy would be taken and a diagnosis of prostate cancer given.

The previous 19 visits to the hospital were for scans and blood tests. We were asked questions about general health and then all of that was repeated again and again.

We are not sure what they assumed the large growing mass shown on the multitude of scans was, but they didn't think it warranted a biopsy all those visits.

He now has a grapefruit sized tumor that blocks his ability to go to the toilet or even sit down in a chair. He has a urine bag and cannot eat solid food because he cannot break it down.

The doctors seem to be scratching their heads and making excuses for the missed opportunity to operate two years ago. Now they are suggesting hormone therapy to stop the tumor growing larger, but I feel any reasonable person can understand that the tumor is already too large and needs to be reduced in size by surgery or immunotherapy.

They offer too little and it seems like it will be too late if they don't catch up now.

Why didn't they read his family history and listen to the reason why he came in for the checkup?