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Prostate Cancer Community

Steve Jobs treatment decisions

To ALL, This excerpt should be of interest to all Cancer patients. It should be...

Posted by az4peaks2

To ALL,

This excerpt should be of interest to all Cancer patients. It should be particularly enlightening to those who believe that diet, herbs, alternative treatments and other "magical" solutions can control and/or cure Cancer of any kind. There simply is no scientifically based proof that this is the case, as much as we all would like to believe it to be so.

Make no mistake, the actions described are NOT the equivalent of a formally designed, and adhered to, program of active surveillance which does have reliable support in individually appropriate cases

Even reports from recognized research institutions concerning alternatives are carefully worded (may, possibly, imply, infer, perhaps, etc.) to clearly protect their conclusions from attack, since they are subjective hypotheses, frequently drawn from materials with little cause/effect evidence.

Traditional Allopathic Medicine certainly has its limitations and some practitioners, individual faults, but after 13 years of nearly daily research of the medical literature, in my layman's opinion, it offers the best chance for cure and/or control of significant disease. It is traditional medicine not the alternative treatments that have brought the mortality rate down 35-40% over the last 20-25 years. PSA testing, and its confirmed early detection is the single most important factor in this reduction and to think otherwise is to ignore the compelling "evidence" (not proof), that it is so.. The mortality reduction is a verifiable FACT and should not be ignored, as has recently been recommended.

The Excerpt:
"co-founder Steve Jobs refused potentially life-saving cancer surgery for nine months, shrugging off protests from his family and opting instead for alternative medicine, according to the tech visionary's biographer.
When Jobs eventually sought surgery, the rare form of pancreatic cancer had spread to the tissues surrounding the organ, biographer Walter Isaacson said in an interview with "60 Minutes" on CBS, to be aired on Sunday.
Jobs also played down the seriousness of his condition and told everyone he was cured but kept receiving treatment in secret, Isaacson said in the interview, excerpts of which CBS released on Thursday.
Isaacson confirmed details that had previously been speculated upon or widely reported, including that Jobs might have been cured of his "slow-growing" cancer had he sought professional treatment sooner, rather than resorting to unconventional means.
"He tries to treat it with diet. He goes to spiritualists. He goes to various ways of doing it macrobiotically and he doesn't get an operation," Isaacson said in the interview.
Jobs deeply regretted putting off a decision that might have ultimately saved his life, according to Isaacson.
"I think that he kind of felt that if you ignore something, if you don't want something to exist, you can have magical thinking .... We talked about this a lot," he said. "

You can read more here: http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/health_stories/steve_jobs_cancer_surgery/2011/10/20/412899.html?s=al&promo_code=D4EC-1
You can also watch 60 minutes! — John@newPCa.org (aka) az4peaks
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Posted byaz4peaks2

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What EVERY newly diagnosed Prostate Cancer (PCa) p...

What EVERY newly diagnosed Prostate Cancer (PCa) patient needs to know! by John E....

Posted by az4peaks2

What EVERY newly diagnosed Prostate Cancer (PCa) patient needs to know! by John E. Holliday, FACMPE

First, ALL Prostate Cancer patients should determine the basic diagnostic realities of their specific disease and understand its relative significance. In my opinion, EVERY newly diagnosed PCa patient needs to gather the following data, to even START your considerations.

I would suggest you begin by acquiring the following diagnostic results.

(1) What was my last PSA prior to diagnosis? (If available, previous PSA readings with dates are helpful). Either get copies or write them down.

(2) What is my complete Gleason SCORE? (Primary + Secondary GRADES = Gleason SCORE) ie: (3+3)= 6, (4+3)= 7, etc.

(3) What is the clinical STAGE assigned to my Prostate Cancer? (ie: T1c, T2a, T3b, etc.)

(4) Obtain a copy of the Pathology Report from the Biopsy, which should be available from your Physician. It can contain helpful information, now and in the future. Keep it for your records!

These 4 items, when coupled with your age and ethnicity, will provide the BASIC information necessary to BEGIN to truly understand what the status of your disease is thought to be, at the time of your diagnosis. When embarking on any journey, when trying to determine the route you want to take, you must first determine where you are NOW, and this is that START! Without knowing this basic information, and understanding its relevance, informed decisions cannot be made and the applicable relevance of gathered information remains undetermined.

If a man has been diagnosed with early stage disease, as approximately 3 out of 4 men presenting today are, there is usually no urgent reason or necessity, to make a hurried, uninformed decision. If you feel rushed, pressured or remain uncertain as to whether you know enough to feel relatively comfortable with your choice, wait until you are.

Obviously, however, there is no reason to unnecessarily prolong the decision making process beyond that reasonable time frame needed to acquire, and to understand, such information. Delays should NOT be the result of unwarranted procrastination.

With this basic information, the educational learning process can begin and more INFORMED decisions are then possible.

I will be happy to answer specific questions that anyone may have. - John@newPCa.org (aka) az4peaksView Thread

Posted byaz4peaks2

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Reply: Help for my husband

What EVERY newly diagnosed Prostate Cancer (PCa) patient needs to know! by John E....

Posted by az4peaks2

What EVERY newly diagnosed Prostate Cancer (PCa) patient needs to know! by John E. Holliday, FACMPE

First, ALL Prostate Cancer patients should determine the basic diagnostic realities of their specific disease and understand its relative significance. In my opinion, EVERY newly diagnosed PCa patient needs to gather the following data, to even START your considerations.
I would suggest you begin by acquiring the following diagnostic results.
(1) What was my last PSA prior to diagnosis? (If available, previous PSA readings with dates are helpful). Either get copies or write them down.
(2) What is my complete Gleason SCORE? (Primary Secondary GRADES = Gleason SCORE) ie: (3 3)= 6, (4 3)= 7, etc.
(3) What is the clinical STAGE assigned to my Prostate Cancer? (ie: T1c, T2a, T3b, etc.)
(4) Obtain a copy of the Pathology Report from the Biopsy, which should be available from your Physician. It can contain helpful information, now and in the future. Keep it for your records!
These 4 items, when coupled with your age and ethnicity, will provide the BASIC information necessary to BEGIN to truly understand what the status of your disease is thought to be, at the time of your diagnosis. When embarking on any journey, when trying to determine the route you want to take, you must first determine where you are NOW, and this is that START! Without knowing this basic information, and understanding its relevance, informed decisions cannot be made and the applicable relevance of gathered information remains undetermined.
If a man has been diagnosed with early stage disease, as approximately 3 out of 4 men presenting today are, there is usually no urgent reason or necessity, to make a hurried, uninformed decision. If you feel rushed, pressured or remain uncertain as to whether you know enough to feel relatively comfortable with your choice, wait until you are.
Obviously, however, there is no reason to unnecessarily prolong the decision making process beyond that reasonable time frame needed to acquire, and to understand, such information. Delays should NOT be the result of unwarranted procrastination. With this basic information, the educational learning process can begin and more INFORMED decisions are then possible.
I will be happy to answer specific questions that anyone may have. - John@newPCa.org (aka) az4peaksView Thread

Posted byaz4peaks2

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Reply: Help for my husband

Hi Francie, - Although you can't significantly help your husband until he is willing to...

Posted by az4peaks2

29 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Help for my husband Hi Francie, - Although you can't significantly help your husband until he is willing to...

Reply: Cancer cells escaped during surgery

Hi Greg - You evidently are being told that you likely have systemic disease,...

Posted by az4peaks2

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Cancer cells escaped during surgery Hi Greg - You evidently are being told that you likely have systemic disease,...

Reply: Boxer shorts cause prostate cancer?

Hi Roddy, - NO!!!! Boxer shorts do NOT cause Prostate Cancer (PCa). NO ONE knows the real...

Posted by az4peaks2

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Boxer shorts cause prostate cancer? Hi Roddy, - NO!!!! Boxer shorts do NOT cause Prostate Cancer (PCa). NO ONE knows the real...

Reply: Of interest to ADVANCED PCa patients

Hi Fairwind, - This is what happens when a Poster comments on a subject about which he...

Posted by az4peaks2

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Of interest to ADVANCED PCa patients Hi Fairwind, - This is what happens when a Poster comments on a subject about which he...

Reply: Of interest to ADVANCED PCa patients

Hi Fairwind, - I submitted the previous Post , without comment (and with the authors...

Posted by az4peaks2

Hi Fairwind, - I submitted the previous Post, without comment (and with the authors name prominently stated, because I don't personally know whether the contents are accurate or not.

However, after 30 years as a Medical Administrator and 13 years of PCa medical literature research of my own, I am knowledgeable enough to know that the early suspension of an active Medical Study, when accompanied by the offer of the experimental drug and/or treatment to the "patient CONTROL group" (those NOT receiving it) usually indicates that seemingly significant benefits were found to be present in the reported results.

When evidence is considered sufficient, it is considered unethical to NOT take such action. As the story indicates, it is usually an independent monitoring group that makes such a RECOMMENDATION, based upon preliminary results submitted for their review. Those who are actively involved then make the final call, since they are most directly informed and it is their reputations on the line.

Although I have no personal knowledge, other than what is contained in the article, I thought the positive statements it contains (highlighted in this bold print below) warranted its wider distribution to those with advanced Prostate Cancer (PCa), who may be interested in the status of FDA action and the seemingly favorable Study results to date. If so, they can keep track of its further activity.

Your negative and discouraging comments offer NO supportive data to your personal opinions expressed and UNFAIRLY, in my opinion, detract from the hope that it MAY provide for their future.

I will continue to retain my own judgment as to its impact, until more FACTS are known, rather than to depressingly rail at the unknown. - John@newPCa.org (aka) az4peaks

Bayer's blockbuster Alpharadin may roil fast-changing prostate cancer field
September 26, 2011 By John Carroll

"The experimental prostate cancer drug Alpharadin - - -, with researchers reporting that they had suspended a registration trial after castration-resistant patients taking the alpha radiation drug lived significantly longer with less pain and fewer side effects.

The independent monitoring board called for the early unblinding of the study so that everyone in the study could benefit from the therapy - - -.

Investigators for Algeta and Bayer say that the treatment extended overall survival by 44 percent, with patients living a median average of 14 months compared to 11.2 months in the placebo arm. The treatment also delayed painful bone metastases.

"This appears to be an important study using a highly targeted form of radiation to treat prostate cancer that has spread to the bones," says Professor Gillies McKenna, Cancer Research UK's radiotherapy expert.

Just weeks ago the FDA announced that the agency would put Alpharadin on the regulatory fast track, slashing six months off of the review time - - - -.View Thread

Posted byaz4peaks2

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Reply: PSA

SMS - Need an E-mail address! send with request to - John@newPCa.org (aka) az4peaks

Posted by az4peaks2

9 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:PSA SMS - Need an E-mail address! send with request to - John@newPCa.org (aka) az4peaks

Of interest to ADVANCED PCa patients

Bayer's blockbuster Alpharadin may roil fast-changing prostate cancer field September...

Posted by az4peaks2

Bayer's blockbuster Alpharadin may roil fast-changing prostate cancer field
September 26, 2011 — 8:40am ET | By John Carroll

The experimental prostate cancer drug Alpharadin took center stage at the big EMCC meeting in Stockholm, with researchers reporting that they had suspended a registration trial after castration-resistant patients taking the alpha radiation drug lived significantly longer with less pain and fewer side effects. The independent monitoring board called for the early unblinding of the study so that everyone in the study could benefit from the therapy and analysts were quick to dub the treatment a potential game changer in the fast-changing prostate cancer market.
Investigators for Algeta and Bayer say that the treatment extended overall survival by 44 percent, with patients living a median average of 14 months compared to 11.2 months in the placebo arm. The treatment also delayed painful bone metastases. Alpha particles can demolish cancer cells far more effectively than standard radiation therapies. Because they have a very narrow target range, down to a few millionth of a meter, it's possible to pinpoint tumors without devastating healthy tissue - significantly easing side effects. "This appears to be an important study using a highly targeted form of radiation to treat prostate cancer that has spread to the bones," says Professor Gillies McKenna, Cancer Research UK's radiotherapy expert.
Just weeks ago the FDA announced that the agency would put Alpharadin on the regulatory fast track, slashing six months off of the review time as analysts widely expestpoct a swift approval. The drug is expected to hit peak sales of $1.7 billion on all indications. Bayer signed up for a global development deal on Alpharadin back in 2009. Algeta hung on to an option for up to 50/50 co-promotion and profit-sharing in the USA.
TheStreet's Adam Feuerstein, who has been closely following Exelixis 's experimental prostate cancer therapy cabozantinib, astutely notes that the new data on Alpharadin could spell trouble for the rival program. Exelixis wants to mount a pivotal study on endpoints related to pain and bone scan resolution. Regulators, Feuerstein observes, may now insist that the investigators also focus on overall survival--a classic goal in registration studies for cancer drugs--now that Alpharadin has set the bar higher. The new data could also complicate things for Amgen, which is planning to seek an FDA OK to use Xgeva to delay the spread of prostate cancer to the bone without supporting data on added survival times.
- see the Bayer release -

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/alpharadin-significantly-improves-overall-survival-patients-castration-resi?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal
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Posted byaz4peaks2

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