I recently had the second PSA test and it came back as a 6.2. No arguments from me. When can we schedule the biopsy? Last Wednesday I went for the procedure. The doc took 10 samples and today we discussed the results. Two of the ten came back as 3-3. I have Prostate Cancer.
The BIG C. Chevrolet Cranberries, Chocolate Chowder, Carborundum Chanticleer, Carpathian Corruption, Chinese Chop Suey, Capitalistic Carnivale, Commission Charlie! The "C" is just a letter, but one that brings dread. I'm okay so far, however my wife and I will have to decide on the correct treatment over the next 30 days. The choices are: monitor and do nothing for six months or a year, then another biopsy; radiation, either external or with implanted radioactive seeds or remove the prostate entirely. All have risks of incontinence and loss of sexual function and a variety of side effects.
Prostate cancer is becoming common in men my age. What has been your experience and what was your decision? Lastly, how are you doing today?
Prostate Cancer PSA Prostate Biopsy Mover Mike
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Having never had any medical issues in my life.....Lucy and I will keep you in our prayers as you set about a plan to make things right.
There is prostate cancer in my family so when I "come of age" I know I will be getting regular exams. I just hope digital imaging becomes better by then, so I can avoid the "digital exam".
As many have said ... you can either live with cancer or you can die from it ... it's all in the attitude. I think you'll end up just fine, but my prayers are with you.
Keep us updated, K?
Being female, obviously I have no personal experience. But prostate cancer runs on my mother's side of the family and two of my older male relatives did not get early treatment and died hard when it spread. Believe me, it is better to fight a one-front war against cancer. Also, they had to deal with the side effects of treatment anyway when the cancer grew, so they didn't gain anything by avoiding treatment.
My understanding is that treatment for prostate cancer has greatly improved since then. Every cancer is different, but I have known people who had excellent results from radiation. I would encourage you to get treatment, but to explore all treatment options first with doctors. Cancers are quite different and based on the biopsy findings they should be able to give you targeted recommendations.
Just from reading this blog I can tell you have a lot of life and fun left in you. Remember when you went hiking? Keep that feeling of the burn in your muscles and the surge of life in your body with you. You are live-minded; you have many happy and interested years in front of you if you deal with this.
From a female POV, please don't worry about the side effects. Women don't care, as long as they have their husband. Also, the earlier you get treatment the more minor the side effects are likely to be.
I'll keep you in my prayers. I know this sucks big time. Please think of your wife and your life and get treatment; I think you are just too young for the watchful waiting bit.
With much respect and considerable experience of the medical mill, MaxedOutMama.
There are others out there, like my driving buddy, Mick and his wife Jenny, who were, as of Friday, awaiting the call from doctors about a time for exploratory surgery and biopsy of a mass in her nether region. This is her second cancer go-around in seven years. Please offer a prayer for them.
But I must say this ... your positive outlook has a *lot* to say about how you'll come through this. As I said, you can live with it or die from it. You'll live with it and beat the crap out of it, I'm guessin' ... :)
Best wishes,
Jed
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 6 years ago. It really took the wind out of my sails, but it reminded me that life is a battle and sometimes that calls for an all out assault on those things that want to take you out. I considered the basic three options: 1. general radiation, 2. surgery, and 3. seed implants.
However, I found that Virginia Mason in Seattle was trying a new procedure that had a lot of promise. They could not guarantee me a cure rate because the numbers were not there like they are in the basic three. As a matter of fact, I was to be #12 of their initial 40 patient study. I could tell that they thought I was a good canditate because of my relative youth (50)and health. So, after much prayer between my wife and I, we agreed. The procedure is called SHARP (Stereotactic Hypofractionated Accurate Radiotherapy of the Prostate). They went in and marked my prostate with gold markers, then prior to each radiation treatment they were able to zero in on the exact location by using XRAY's. This allowed them to turn up the power of the beam. The treatment consisted of several, sometimes 10, short bursts of high dose radiation all from different angles and all zeroed in on precisely the target. We did that for 5 days.
That was in October of 2001. Collateral damage was minimal. We monitor my PSA count regularly and it has behaved.
As they explained, this treatment was first used on certain types of brain tumors where collateral damage is a huge issue.
When I decided to go this route, I reasoned that I have been accused of having my brains down there anyway, so it seemed appropriate.
It is worth checking out!