Prostate Cancer

Early this year, my PSA level started to rise alarmingly. I went to a urologist, who suggested a biopsy. Not a pleasant experience, but not that bad--at least it was over quickly. The results were not good. Cancer cells with a Gleason grade of 7.
Last April, I had radical prostatectomy. I'm good now, and glad I did it with a skilled surgeon. Don't you believe that all prostate cancers grow slowly. Some are very aggressive and spread quickly to the bones and lungs. Then, it's virtually hopeless.
Here's a link to my doctor's website. There are many others.

Bottom line, get a digital rectal exam AND a PSA blood test yearly if you're over 45. Younger, if you have a family history of prostate cancer. And don't ignore the results. If you wait until you have physical symptoms, it will most likely be too late to do anything for you.

Thank you Mamav for bringing this topic up. I was going to start a thread myself...but didn't.
 
I'm glad you talked about it with us, Brian. In fact, this thread is well worth reading.

munk
 
My brother in law has a Chinese lady doctor and quite looks forward to his annual exam. :) Joking apart, it is an easy and quick exam and not that uncomfortable. If you have trouble weeing, frequent weeing, dribble weeing get an appointment to your doctor as quickly as you can. You can do the exam yourself if you wish, just ask your doctor how and it is easy if you are in the shower or bath.

I had a neighbour in 1976 who died of Prostate Cancer. Treatment has come a long way since.

Virginia. I hope you friend gets on OK. xx
 
Bri in Chi said:
Don't you believe that all prostate cancers grow slowly. Some are very aggressive and spread quickly to the bones and lungs. Then, it's virtually hopeless.
Click to expand...

THIS IS THE TRUTH!
I’ve known numerous men (my father in law was the latest) that went down with prostate cancer.

I suppose one could say it’s not the prostate cancer that usually kills you, it’s the cancer it spawns (metastasizes) in the rest of your body that does you in, but who cares. Dead is dead. Wasting away with cancer is not a fun way to go. I’ve seen it.
An annual exam is a small price to pay.
 
All cancers are slow growing. In fact, we all have cancer - genetic factors, age, weakness in our immune systems, etc., weaken our bodies natural ability to eradicate rogue cells. When a cancerous mass takes takes root, it sheds individual cells that are (sometimes) able to begin growing in a different area. This is metastisis. Cancer doesn't kill you, rather the masses of cells monopolize nutrients, choke organs and generally disrupt normal function. The problem is, once you experience symptoms the cancer has progressed to a point that you are in serious trouble. I'm a registered nurse and have dealt with what this disease can do, get checked as often as your insurance will allow. Request an ativan to pop before the exam if it bothers you that much. As for colonoscopy, the first question patients ask me after the procedure is ... "When is the doctor going to do it?" Versed kicks ass.
 
I started radiation yesterday for a different kind of cancer. This is no stuff to mess with. Really, if you can prevent this, DO IT. Just dumb not to.

Chris
 
I want to bring this back to the top one time. It is an uncomfortable but very important topic.
 
Geez! I have to get a new doctor I guess. She's about 32 yo., 5'9", incredible green eyes, and one of the most beautiful women I know. I'm just lucky that way I guess, as my RDH is gorgeous as well. ;)

BUT, even though I just turned 50 she won't order a PSA, saying the manual exam is sufficient. She also won't give me an EKG even though I have requested one for 5 years because she says unless my recurring chest pain flares up during exercise it doesn't really count, and it was only at my yearly physical in April that she agreed to finally schedule a colonoscopy because I just turned 50. Not before.

UNfortunately my insurance ran out at the end of April! Now that I'm working again I hope to get one scheduled, and I'd like to get the others done as well.

Thanks for the positive reinforcement from all of you, and to those of you who have battled these demons and to Gin's friend, smoke and prayers.

Norm
 
Today is the second birthday of my best friend, John Weaver, to pass since he died of colon cancer. He would've been 57 today. We ate at his favorite restaurant tonight to honor his memory, but it just isn't the same without him. Every day I think of something I want to share with him and realize that he isn't going to answer the phone anymore. He probably could've been saved with proper medical care, but he waited until it was to late.
 
Every day I think of something I want to share with him and realize that he isn't going to answer the phone anymore.
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helluva thing when that happens, ain't it? Like one of the windows of your life got painted over.:(
 
Svashtar said:
Geez! BUT, even though I just turned 50 she won't order a PSA, saying the manual exam is sufficient.
Norm
Click to expand...

When I became alarmed buy the rise of my PSA I had four digital rectal exams from four different doctors, three of whom were urologists. None of them could feel any cancer. The PSA was the only clue. Once the biopsy results came in, there was no question. Since the introduction of the PSA test about 1990, the death rate from prostate cancer has steadily and dramatically decreased. Early detection is important.
Here's an article about this by my surgeon, who was one of the investigators in the research that developed the test, and believes the test should be started at age 40... Click here More general information is available here.
 
Good thread.

just had our Massage for People with Cancer workshop at school today. We have 23 people in our class. We all went around and shared our stories of people we knew affected by the disease. Only 2 people weren't directly affected. Some VERY sad hard to hear stories.... It was a long day, but a good one.
 
If anyone has a problem getting their doctor to give them a PSA blood test (and you don't mind fibbing a little) tell them that your family has a history of Prostate Cancer. That should help. If they still ignore you find a new doctor.
 
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