
Reply: Age 40 PSA 12.7 DRE smooth
Good for you! I'm glad you had that biopsy. You are now in what I experienced as...
Posted by Reddingsailor
Good for you! I'm glad you had that biopsy. You are now in what I experienced as the most difficult time - awaiting the results of my biopsy. Dealing with the unknown was the worst.
As has been said before, if it turns out you have an early stage non-aggressive cancer, you have time to weigh the various treatment modalities. If you caught it early, chances are you are going to be fine. Just look at the complication rates for the various treatments and select one that's right for you.
If you are interested in looking into proton, check out www.protonbob.com. That site was created by and for proton patients and contains loads of info. Also, I recommend the book, "You Can Beat Prostate Cancer", by Robert J. Markini.
Hang in there!View Thread
Posted byReddingsailor
As has been said before, if it turns out you have an early stage non-aggressive cancer, you have time to weigh the various treatment modalities. If you caught it early, chances are you are going to be fine. Just look at the complication rates for the various treatments and select one that's right for you.
If you are interested in looking into proton, check out www.protonbob.com. That site was created by and for proton patients and contains loads of info. Also, I recommend the book, "You Can Beat Prostate Cancer", by Robert J. Markini.
Hang in there!View Thread
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Reply: What should I be asking the doctor when being told...
It is most important that you review all of your options in the event you are...
Posted by Reddingsailor
It is most important that you review all of your options in the event you are diagnosed with PC. In my case (Gleason 6 with a T1-c tumor), my urologist recommended surgery. Meanwhile, my GP suggested I look into proton radiation, as it was his experience that patients who undergo this treatment have significantly fewer complications than those who have surgery. I reviewed professional journal articles myself and discovered that all treatment modalities are equally effective.
When I informed my urologist of my decision, he tried to scare me by stating that proton therapy was experimental, and that "you will die".
I underwent proton beam therapy at Loma Linda Medical Center in Southern California 11 years ago, and have been cancer free. I have had minimal side effects. Check out the proton patients' website www.protonbob.com for more information.View Thread
Posted byReddingsailor
When I informed my urologist of my decision, he tried to scare me by stating that proton therapy was experimental, and that "you will die".
I underwent proton beam therapy at Loma Linda Medical Center in Southern California 11 years ago, and have been cancer free. I have had minimal side effects. Check out the proton patients' website www.protonbob.com for more information.View Thread
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Urethral stricture question
It's been 11 years since I received proton radiation therapy for PC, and have had...
Posted by Reddingsailor
It's been 11 years since I received proton radiation therapy for PC, and have had virtually no side effects. I remain cancer free. Yesterday I was diagnosed with a urethral stricture that is likely a late occurring effect of the radiation. My urologist is recommending dilation followed by surgical ablation of the stricture.
Have any of you experienced this problem? Have you needed to have multiple dilations over time? Did this result in incontinence? Has other surgery been recommended?View Thread
Posted byReddingsailor
Have any of you experienced this problem? Have you needed to have multiple dilations over time? Did this result in incontinence? Has other surgery been recommended?View Thread
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Reply: PSA 7.1
Check out protonbob.com for information about proton radiation therapy. I had this...
Posted by Reddingsailor
Check out protonbob.com for information about proton radiation therapy. I had this intervention 11 years ago, and it was a great experience with no pain, no recovery time, and wonderful support. The complication rate for proton is very low, and cure rate is as good as surgery. Most insurance covers it . In the middle of treatment I hiked 16 miles at high altitude in the Sierra Nevada of California on a weekend. Most docs will not tell you about this treatment and will push surgery. My urologist told me that I would die if I had proton treatment. I had done my research and went for it. I'm glad I did!View Thread
Posted byReddingsailor
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Reply: JUST DIAGNOSED
Proton therapy outcomes are the same as surgery. Check out the literature on this. ...
Posted by Reddingsailor
Proton therapy outcomes are the same as surgery. Check out the literature on this. Many docs have never heard of proton therapy, and others won't recommend it. They recommend surgery, which does have a much higher complication rate than proton. Check out the Loma Linda University Hospital Proton Center's website. There are now proton centers throughout the country.
It has been11 years since my proton treatment, and I remain cancer free. There was no recovery time involved. In fact, I was in much better physical shape after I completed treatment than before. (Loma Linda has a great gym.) insurance co ered everything.
Also, check out the website created by proton patients, www.protonbob.com. It has tons of info about treatment and outcomes of thousands of patients.View Thread
Posted byReddingsailor
It has been11 years since my proton treatment, and I remain cancer free. There was no recovery time involved. In fact, I was in much better physical shape after I completed treatment than before. (Loma Linda has a great gym.) insurance co ered everything.
Also, check out the website created by proton patients, www.protonbob.com. It has tons of info about treatment and outcomes of thousands of patients.View Thread
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Reply: Age 40 PSA 12.7 DRE smooth
I am an 11 year PC survivor who was treated with proton radiation with nearly no side...
Posted by Reddingsailor
I am an 11 year PC survivor who was treated with proton radiation with nearly no side effects. With PC, early diagnosis and treatment is key. Don't hesitate to get a biopsy now. Don't worry about the biopsy causing your cancer to spread. It's really no big deal and is not painful. What matters most is that you find out what's going on. Most biopsies come back negative. If yours is positive, check out all the options for treatment. Most urologists will recommend surgery. Fact is, outcomes for Brachytherapy, proton beam radiation, and surgery are statistically identical. Surgery results in greater numbers of complications than protons. There are now several proton centers nationwide that treat PC. Most insurance companies pay for it.
Please let me know what happens. Best of luck!View Thread
Posted byReddingsailor
Please let me know what happens. Best of luck!View Thread
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Reply: Do I Need A Prostate Exam
I am an 11 year prostate cancer survivor (treated with proton radiation). Over the...
Posted by Reddingsailor
I am an 11 year prostate cancer survivor (treated with proton radiation). Over the past year, I developed a weak urine flow, and a urologist treated me for BPH. I was getting up only 1 time per night. Getting up 3 or 4 times per night is excessive, and could potentially effect your health due to an interrupted sleep pattern.
I am confused as to why your doctor didn't do a prostate exam, which could turn up several possibilities for your symptoms. By all means, have this checked out. Don't wait! You could have BPH, prostatitis, or even a urethral stricture (narrowing). Ask for a PSA test, then begin tracking your results yearly. BPH will probably cause an elevation in PSA. If you have it, there are inexpensive meds that are effective, as well as some great supplements that contain saw palmetto, pygeum, and pumpkin seed extract.
You are very young to have prostate cancer; however, if your PSA goes above 4, or doubles in 1 year, talk to your doctor about further tests.
In my case, my weak urine stream was found to be due to a stricture that likely resulted from my proton radiation treatment, and not to BPH.
Good luck!View Thread
Posted byReddingsailor
I am confused as to why your doctor didn't do a prostate exam, which could turn up several possibilities for your symptoms. By all means, have this checked out. Don't wait! You could have BPH, prostatitis, or even a urethral stricture (narrowing). Ask for a PSA test, then begin tracking your results yearly. BPH will probably cause an elevation in PSA. If you have it, there are inexpensive meds that are effective, as well as some great supplements that contain saw palmetto, pygeum, and pumpkin seed extract.
You are very young to have prostate cancer; however, if your PSA goes above 4, or doubles in 1 year, talk to your doctor about further tests.
In my case, my weak urine stream was found to be due to a stricture that likely resulted from my proton radiation treatment, and not to BPH.
Good luck!View Thread
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