Posted By: Bluegoose
Prostate Cancer - 04/25/13 08:47 PM
Just wanted to share some things with y'all.
Four years ago, my dad died a horrible death resulting from prostate cancer. '
'When he first was diagnosed, the urologiist and oncologist explained all the negatives about the current treatments then he received the same standard suggestion that is common today: "You will probably outlive your cancer" So, my dad took a wait and see approach. What the doctors failed to tell him that if prostate cancer would metastasize, it would be a painful demise.
Last year, I was diagnosed with the same horrible disease. I lost several friends and my dad to it and I wasn't about to listen to the same song and dance. I had learned enough about the disease to understand that the insurance companies and government have deliberately understated the severity of this cancer.
I was fortunate enough to have a very well trained urologist who is up on all the latest advances in detection and treatment. He found my cancer at a stage one. He and I discussed the treatments and I decided to go for external, high intensity radiation. Even though he told me that I probably could wait a few years to monitor the cancer before treatment, I didn't want to take any chances.
This decision probably saved my life. My followup exams have been super positive and it has amazed my Dr. as to how fast my body has responded. Also, I have had minimum after-effects. This is the smartest decision I have ever made.
I have had a lot of conversations with the oncologist and urologist concerning all the efforts to reduce testing for and treating this disease. Each of us are of the opinion that this effort is self-serving insurance and the government because the tests and treatments are expensive and is misleading the public with regard to the possible severity of the disease.
Perhaps some people do not need treatment but until they either die from other causes or die from the cancer, who knows?????
So, I beg each of y'all who are older than 50 to go EVERY year and get that darn exam and if you have cancer get it treated! The newer treatments, especially external radiation, have far less side-effects than those of even 5 years ago. DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
Four years ago, my dad died a horrible death resulting from prostate cancer. '
'When he first was diagnosed, the urologiist and oncologist explained all the negatives about the current treatments then he received the same standard suggestion that is common today: "You will probably outlive your cancer" So, my dad took a wait and see approach. What the doctors failed to tell him that if prostate cancer would metastasize, it would be a painful demise.
Last year, I was diagnosed with the same horrible disease. I lost several friends and my dad to it and I wasn't about to listen to the same song and dance. I had learned enough about the disease to understand that the insurance companies and government have deliberately understated the severity of this cancer.
I was fortunate enough to have a very well trained urologist who is up on all the latest advances in detection and treatment. He found my cancer at a stage one. He and I discussed the treatments and I decided to go for external, high intensity radiation. Even though he told me that I probably could wait a few years to monitor the cancer before treatment, I didn't want to take any chances.
This decision probably saved my life. My followup exams have been super positive and it has amazed my Dr. as to how fast my body has responded. Also, I have had minimum after-effects. This is the smartest decision I have ever made.
I have had a lot of conversations with the oncologist and urologist concerning all the efforts to reduce testing for and treating this disease. Each of us are of the opinion that this effort is self-serving insurance and the government because the tests and treatments are expensive and is misleading the public with regard to the possible severity of the disease.
Perhaps some people do not need treatment but until they either die from other causes or die from the cancer, who knows?????
So, I beg each of y'all who are older than 50 to go EVERY year and get that darn exam and if you have cancer get it treated! The newer treatments, especially external radiation, have far less side-effects than those of even 5 years ago. DO IT!!!!!!!!!!