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Re: Re: Re: PCa doctor bias and lack of options laid out for patients to consider
In my case, I had concurring opinions from a second urologist and a radiation oncologist. And what you say is very true: a cancer diagnosis affects your decision making process. prior to my surgery, I had a great deal of trust in the medical community. Now I question everything that any doctor tells me.
Re: PCa doctor bias and lack of options laid out for patients to consider
Bob,
That was an interesting post. I also believe there is often a push for immediate treatment that may not be necessary, or any treament at all. If you haven't read this paper by Dr. Stamey it's an interesting read and goes along with what you said in your post. I'll put a link to it below and maybe we can all discuss it.
Of course NOT ALL of the people found with PCa today fall into this catagory but from what I've read most do and that's why there's such a controversy over how or if to treat them. Doctors say the problem is since we don't know which tumor will progress slowly or quickly we treat all of them the same, which leaves it up to the patient to take the risk of watchfull waiting or go for immediate treatment. And let's face it when someone says you have cancer the emotional reaction if most often the driving factor.
I must point out someone I admire, Terry Herbert. He researched the disease when he was diagnosed and came to the conclusion he could wait and deal with it later IF it became a problem. Then after 12 years he needed to go on ADT, which saved him 12 years of living with the after effects of surgery or EBRT. To me, for him it worked out very well since many people end up on ADT after surgery and EBRT. So Terry I salute you, you have shown both great courage and grace dealing with your PCa and running this site to help others.
