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I couldn't agree more and can't stress enough how vitally important it is to THINK OVER YOUR OPTIONS and TAKE YOUR TIME.
In the UK here, and I've seen this happen in my own extended family, guys are told they have prostate cancer...and their immediate reaction is 'cut it out please'.
They are all too relieved to be offered an early date for radical surgery, not realising what the long term consequences can be.
It's a sore point with me that too many men are treated for prostate cancer by the urologist only, often only seeing an oncologist later on down the line when, and if, cancer has become rampant.
Surely EVERY patient diagnosed with PCa should be assessed by an oncologist as soon as the urologist has the positive biopsy?
Well, that's my early mrning moan outta the way.
It's freezing cold here on England's north east coast, but I don't care! 3 years ago I was told I had 2 or 3 years left to live...and the urologist was WRONG.
Happy Easter to you too Fred from very cold southern England (snowing at the moment).
I agree that David is a case for Active Surveiilance and not surgery (I think I should have stayed on AS longer too). But I distinguish between AS and Watchful Waiting. Active Surveillance for me in his case would obviously involve regular PSA screening to monitor volatility, regular DREs, and as a start (given his family history of Dad and 3 paternal brothers with PC), I would have that pathology of his sliced and re-sliced, coz 2 out of 3 said YES and 1 out of 3 said NO.
I would put a lot more value on the pathological evidence than on any fancy scans.
Happy Easter to you Ted and George(even though I am not a fellow limey, and to rub it in a bit, It is about 70F and bright and sunny with the flowers out in full force here in Alabama.
I would disagree with Ted on one point regarding Dave. I do not believe the biopsy needs to be checked again. Basically its two yes and two no. I understand your reticence to rely on the scan, but with the other data, it is as reliable as another pathologist taking another look. Regardless, the fact that there is such ambivalence regarding is it or isn't it positive, having it checked again would not shed any better light on the situation. The outcome at this time would be the same. Dave has lost confidence (rightly so)in the Dx of PCa. If it were me, I would follow an Active Surveillance routine with regular PSA and DRE. Make changes to lifestyle to inhibit growth of possible PCa and be thankful that he was spared going through treatment at this time.
Have a happy holiday-dont eat too many Easter eggs, Simmel cakes and hot cross buns.
Hi all,
...and Fred over there in the warm sunshine, while Ted and I wince in the grip of a snowbound Easter in England.
Ha! Who cares, lol, we're all alive and fighting, huh?
Anyway, British SUMMERTIME arrives next week as the clocks go forward.(Stop laughing!).
Yes, I tend to agree with Fred on the watchful waiting approach here. We all make very personal choices, and just hope we are right.
But the main point is, we must keep ourselves fully informed of everything involved. It's an ancient saying, I know, but it's very true...Knowledge is Power.
Good Luck and best wishes to all of those here who have decisions to make.
Ted, Fred, Bill, George-I live in Southern California, not far from where the Beach Boys grew up. Its 8 am, I'm at the fire station, and its about 68 degrees with a high expected to be about 75. Thanks for your input. I hope my experience(s) have helped. Happy Easter. Dave
Your experience has been very instructive, David. So has Henk's recent input. I intend to go for one of those scans you talked about if my remaining bit (9.4ml) of prostate shows an upward trend of PSA growth. I shall certainly do that before any more biopsies or any more treatment.
Between me and the insurance company, it cost 20 grand (English pounds that is!) for the robot to cut out 50 grams of prostate and leave nearly 10 behind. That works out at about 2 grand a gram for the left over bit and a PSA of 0.67 last test! So caution is the watchword from now on for this 62 year old!
By the way, David, you live in a glorious part of the world. I took the family to San Diego, La Jolla and Palm Springs last year for a pre-op holiday. Enjoy!
