Prostate Cancer Support Group

Hi,

After a biopsy, this past Monday I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Gleason score is 6 (3+3), PSA is 1.2 (It was .1 last year, 6 months ago .8 and this past Sept 1.2, so urologist recommended biopsy because of rapid increase.)

I am 60 years old and generally in good health. Have spoken to 3 doctors in past few days (urologist who is surgeon, radiology oncologist, and my primary care doctor.) Only one (radiologist) mentioned Active Surveillance.

Am I crazy to even consider AS? Right now I am OK with the fact of having cancer in my body. But am really wary of all potential side effects.

I know I have time to make a decision, and I haven't ruled anything out. Will be attending an in-person prostate cancer support group this coming Monday in my neighborhood.

Any comments, opinions, thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Don

Hi Don, welcome to the group. I practiced AS for 18 months after my diagnosis (Gleason 3+3, PSA 4.2 to 4.7). This gave me time to read up, talk to others who had undergone various treatments (including AS), and reconcile myself to the issues that go with being "guy with cancer." I can't say I was easy to live with - it was a body blow, and it took its toll on my family and me. But that's just me, and no two people react exactly the same. In the end, a second biopsy upgraded my Gleason to 3+4, and a radiation oncologist who had encouraged me to take my time finally told me that it was time to make a decision. I underwent RP 2.5 years ago and for me, it was the right thing to do, despite the typical after-effects of that treatment. My PSA has been undetectable ever since and I am easier to live with. But I can tell you that I am very glad I took the time. PCa is slow-growing, and a Gelason of 6 is the "best" you can have in terms of PCa.

There are those on this forum that are currently practicing AS and can give you more details. I'm not necessarily saying it's the right choice for you, but considering your scores, I would say that it is worth considering.

Don:

I would strongly suggest you consider all options available to you including Active Surveillance.

Your numbers and mental state suggest you are an excellant candidate and the reason I refer to your mental state is because many men that have similar numbers and are offered Active Surveillance act out of fear and take immediate steps to remove the cancer.

I believe and my family Dr believes and supports a continuation of a quality life that you inevitably surrender when you take aggressive actions.

I would also suggest you review many of the bios within this support group to better experience what others go through while recovering from surgery or seed implants.

I feel there maybe an alternative cure that is less invasive with minimal side affects somewhere in our future and I have elected to practice Active Surveillance until such time I need to have surgery or that magical cure is found which ever comes first.

You can look at it as if I'm pushing the limits but once you have taken permanent actions be it what ever process it is there is no going back.

Todate I am very comfortable with the program I'm following and have been for 18 months.

If you would like more detailed info feel free to contact me via e-mail and I will respond.

Best regards

Canuck 1947

PS: If you would like to call and chat about it I am open to that.

Don,

It's quite an emotional shock to find out you have prostate cancer. If that wasn't difficult enough you as the patient have to decide how to treat the disease. It's a lot to take in. Based on your PSA and Gleason, it does not appear as though you must decide quickly.

Unfortunately there is no right, wrong, or easy way to treat prostate cancer. Whatever treatment you decide is totally up to you. Each decision poses risks and potential side effects.

The good news is you can take your time and get all the information you need about active surveillance and other treatment options and chose the one that makes sense for you.

If you've looked at the variety of options and active surveillance is what you chose, I hope those treating you will talk about things you can do with diet and other life style changes you can make that can make a difference in how your cancer progresses. There are many who've chosen this option and have gone 10-20 years without needing additional treatment.

Glad you found this forum, and use it to help you gain information and also for emotional support.

Post edited by: RickRed40, at: 11/11/2011 12:03 PM

Hey Don...Robert here from Arizona and I do indeed feel your pain. I was first diagnosed back in 2006 and now my cancer has returned big time in the past few weeks. I did not seek out support the first time around I did not want to reveal myself to the world. Now I feel alone and terrified.

Hopefully I can find a few new friends to communicate with.

Best of luck to you Don and to all the men and women impacted by this dreaded disease.

Robert

Thanks for your comments. I have quite a bit to sort thru. I went to my first PC support group tonight. Topic was PSA's and the recent controversy. A urologist led the group, and he was pretty good. Allowed time for questions, and he was respectful. I raised my hand and told him and the group my numbers, and he said I would be a candidate for active surveillance. Talked to a few people after the meeting, and I plan to go back in Dec.

No decisions yet, but I am leaning towards waiting, with getting my PSA checked every 3 months, and try to eat way more healthy, as well as trying to lose some weight.

Still a lot to think about.