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That is a very agonizing question for many of us. Strangely it did not hit me till AFTER I had surgery 1 month ago...and it had to do with news reports as you mentioned. I agonized...Did I really do the best thing????!! I was staged T2c with a Gleason 7, and an " extra" post surgery grade of Tertiary 5 which bumps me up to 8 I've heard. Could I have just did the waiting thing? Actually it almost made me tough to live with for a few days until I decided that yes, after hearing stories of how P cancer can spread, at least I know it is out of me. Well almost sure..my post PSA is tomorrow. I'll deal with the side effects the best I can.
Did you have another opinion of your biopsy? I had 3 opinions...all resulted in recommending surgery. THe best to you in reaching a choice.
If you've looked at your options and compared them in terms of risks and potential benefits based on what YOU value, and think that surgery by the doctor you've chosen is your best bet, then that's the one that you should make.
No one can decide for you and there are no guaranteed outcomes regardless of what you decide to do.
My treatment decision was the hardest one I ever had to make. I had second thoughts after I made it, but I am glad that I did.
For God sakes man, take Terry Herbert's advice and postpone. New information is out just this week, good science, that speaks to the matter of waiting if you have low PSA and Gleason.
Read about the PLCO study online or in US TOO. All the major prostate cancer groups in this country have combined to put out a comprehensive statement.
Prostate cancer is generally slow growing unless you have a very high Gleason, which you don't.
If, after you are well read on the PLCO study then and only then decide upon a treatment. I did IMRT+ADT and came out of it in fine shape. If you don't know what all those letters mean call or write me before you go further.
POSTPONE.
Patrick, Cape Cod, USA
