September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

shanlax:

Excellent writeup, but I do have to take exception to one statement. PC is not always "slow-growing". I'm in my 9th year of dealing with mine and, in that time, its doubling time has progressed from 4.5 months to 3 weeks to 10 days. Not exactly the common 4 year doubling time. I also find that the doctors I've worked with don't have a mathematician's (or patient's) "feel" for what a short doubling time means. They don't understand why I'm in a hurry to make my next move. That "slow-growing"reputation has created a major hurdle for me.

Thank you for the writeup. I suspect that many CR4 participants may benefit from it.

DickL

DickL, you hit on a real sore spot among those who know about PCa. Definitely, it is NOT always slow growing. In fact, some of the experts in prostate cancer are suggesting that there are probably at least 50 different varieties of PCa cells -- one, Dr. Coffee, reported that he identified four (4) distinct PCa cells in one biopsy slide.

Another disservice the article does is to continue the notion that PCa is an old man's disease. I've known 3 different men in their 30s who were diagnosed and treated (all with family history), and 2 of those died within 2 years. And their PSAs were in the 2 ng/ml range. Add to your observation about fast growing that PCa in younger men is very often of the more aggressive (fast growing) variety.

So, we have Not an old man's disease (25% of PCa is diagnosed in men under 65), and it is NOT slow growing in all cases, and, finally, that men can die of PCa with a PSA that never gets up to the supposed "threshhold" of 4.0 ng/ml.

RickWard ricklward@pcaawareness.net

Rick:

That is one of many "sore spots" in the world of prostate cancer. It's a virtual minefield of them. Unfortunately, to discover them, you have to learn the jargon and go to published, peer reviewed research papers (NOT ADS) and, in some cases, do your own data analysis. I started the process many years ago and I'm still learning. I started getting advice that didn't sound right on the day I was diagnosed and it never stopped. So far, my instincts have held up pretty well.

I'll never understand the guys who "shut down" upon learning of their cancer and leave the learning process to their wives and families. Actually, it's quite an interesting technical problem and, as you say, not just for old guys (although, in my case, that holds true).

DickL

I have a question I was hoping some of you could shed some light on. I have hasd BPH since my early 30's, does anyone know if this is a precursor to cancer? Does this increase the likliehood of contracting PCa? I have had my PSA monitored since the discovery of my condition and have been on medication ever since. What additional symptoms should I be looking for that may indicate a change to cancer? I do have a family history of PCa. My Uncle died of it in his 50's. Any one know where I could go to get more help on this?

Hi Mike:

I don't know about the BPH as a precursor. I've never seen any data, but having an uncle who's had it is a definite warning. The only ways to monitor that I know of are PSA and DREs (Digital Rectal Exams). The next step would be a biopsy and that's a little extreme if the PSA and DRE are normal. It sounds as though you are doing the right things, including being aware of the possibility of cancer. I was not aware and my PSA was 23.2 by the time I was diagnosed. That's not a very good start. Good Luck.

DickL

Thanks and good luck to you

Moose,

Thank you for the article and the focus on Prostate Cancer.... As a survivor for some seven years, I have noticed a need for men to become more active advocates both publicly and politically. If this would occur, more men would be more likely to go to the doctors when some of the symptom present themselves. Also, money for research from governmental sources would increase its flow in the area of education and research.

In our community we have organized a week of activities to focus on the disease and as a result we have seen some positive changes in our community.