See the following 45 minute video of seminar at Stanford University if you wish to educate yourself re. prostate cancer, PSA's, biopsy, treatments, risks, incidence, etc:
And just for the record, of course I'm not using an RV forum for the sole input on a medical topic. For the individual that thinks I may not be getting medical advice, rest assured I am. I was even the best man at a doctors wedding, and am using him as a knowledgeable friendly sounding board now.
I do have a high regard for the people on this forum for being intelligent and sensible. And what a great way to get real world opinions, from so many people, from so many different parts of the country.
Thanks for sharing (and the PM's) on a very personal topic to all.
Good friend had high PSA, he took treatments (one of his sons is an oncologist)for years. It went to bone cancer and he died last week before last, memorial service is next Sat.
Another friend has a PSA of 11, think he's had the nodules implanted now.
My PSA is 1 or less, but I am watching it!
You can also get a wealth of information at www.cancer.org. Type in keyword prostate. You can find a variety of treatment options, information on clinical trials and support networks. Or, call 1.800.227.2345 to speak to a cancer specialist.
snowhawkwoman wrote: From what I have seen, PSA doesn't really prevent cancer deaths as much as it promotes horribly painful biopsies. My husband had very high PSA readings...he endured 3 different biopsies (very painful experiences, the first caused him to faint...after that they gave him light sedation)...he eventually had his prostate removed through abdominal surgery, which led to severe hemmoraging, 5 units of blood, and a second emergency surgery. He did have a very enlarged prostate...but no cancer.
I just ran across this thread and wanted to comment. Between '99 and '07 I had three biopsies due to elevated PSA. None were worse than uncomfortable. It shouldn't be 'horribly painful' under any circumstances.
Secondly, if there was no cancer why was his prostate removed? I've never heard of such an extreme treatment for an enlarged prostate.
And lastly, I had my cancerous prostate removed in a robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. The doctor made five small incisions for his instruments. There was little blood loss. I spent one night in the hospital and one week with a catheter. I took over-the-counter Tylenol for 5 days to counteract the slight achiness I felt. The catheter was the worst part. Two years later I am fully continent and sexually active.
Prostate cancer is eminently treatable if caught early, and the best way to do that is through regular PSA's and DRE's. If either or both of those tests indicate a biopsy is necessary it's not that big a deal to get one.
Good advice. I had a biopsy in 1999 and it was the single worst pain I have felt. Nothing to relieve pain from the doctor.
I have found a different doctor and he is setting up a biopsy for me. My PSA runs a little high all the time. Even up to a 9 over the last ten years. THEN it jumped to an 18, corrected to approx. 36. I am also taking Finesteride which makes the PSA score appear low. Like 1/2 of what it really is.
My doctor treated me for Prostatitis. I took a heavy dose of antibiotics for a little over a month and my PSA dropped to an adjusted reading of 14. I think that is high and he agrees, hence the biopsy coming up shortly. I will be completely sedated.
One more thing, my neighbor used the same doctor I had originally and this doctor was so fixated on prostate cancer that he missed the bladder cancer that killed my friend at age 64. We must look at the big picture and ask our doctors to do the same.
I subscribe to the Johns Hopkins White papers in a few areas. My doctors have told me a lot of internet articles are not well documented and not written by medical professionals. The Johns Hopkins info is good, they respect it.
I have had 2 biopsies of which the second found cancer.
Both were painful but bearable. Seems like every "snip" hurt a little more and it was a burning sensation. Thirty minutes after the last "snip" the pain was barely noticable. My advice to anyone who needs a biopsy is not to delay because of possible pain. The alternative is not good.
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My PSA raised just slightly between two visits to the doctor, six months apart. She sent me for biopsies. The doctor took twelve "snips". Yes it was uncomfortable, but of the twelve, two were cancerous. I had the radiation "seeds" implanted. One year later my PSA was .002. The only downside....I was told not to get any closer to my grand kids than five feet for three months, since I was radioactive. The operation was completely painless.
Two months ago I finished my prostate treatments.
When it all started, I had a PSA of 7.4 - now it's at 2.
Another month and I will have another blood test and it should drop lower.
I went with the Radiation as I don't like to be layed up for more that 2 minutes! I like to stay busy.
I only had minor problems with the bladder and bowels.
Now I am back to normal with no side effects.
Good Luck with whatever you choose.
I was diagnosed as having prostate cancer with a high PSA level and a digital exam and biopsy. This was 18 months ago. I opted for a perineal prostatectomy surgery where they removed the prostate via the area between the testicles and the anus. I declined the abdominal approach as I was concerned with the procedure being too close to my abdominal aneurism and hernia.
I also chose surgery because, if the cancer arises again, I can still have it treated via radiation, etc. If I had radiation treatments and the cancer disappeared and came back again, there can be no surgery or radiation procedures used again! So with the surgery I have a second chance if it comes back by radiation, etc.
The biopsy was a piece of cake for me, no big deal.
I suggest PSA testing, biopsy and digital examination. That's just my opinion and you should deal with a urological doctor for accurate up-to-date info. Hope this helps.
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