topic Re: Prostate Cancer in Wellness

Prostate Cancer

Calcgirl — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 00:50:31 GMT

My boyfriend may have prostrate cancer. He is having a biopsy July 21st. PSA sky high and hard prostate.

Anyone here who can offer advice, etc?

Have a nice weekend.

Re: Prostate Cancer

January121 — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 01:00:44 GMT

Hope everything works out & the biopsy comes back negative! Good Luck!!

Re: Prostate Cancer

RedTop — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 01:13:53 GMT

The husbands of 3 close friends have dealt with prostate cancer, and all were treated differently. The one who had family history of prostate cancer had surgery just 3 years ago to remove the gland, due to its abnormal size, but did not need any other treatment. One chose to have the radioactive seed implants over 10 years ago, and the other took radiation therapy which was 5+ years ago. All 3 did very well with their individual treatments, and continue to do well.

Best wishes to your boyfriend as he seeks his diagnosis.

Re: Prostate Cancer

riley1 — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 01:21:19 GMT

My husband elected to have his prostate gland removed about 15 yrs ago. He had his PSA levels checked every 3 months then 6 months then every year for quite some time. He continues to do well.

We did a lot of research on this and the pros/cons of different procedures. My hubs went to Johns Hopkins for his procedure and the surgeon was one of the top in this field.

Good Luck

Re: Prostate Cancer

Retiredpsych — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 01:33:49 GMT

My husband is going through this right now. He has aggressive prostate cancer. We met with the surgeon on Wed and have elected to have the robotic prostectomy. Hopefully in 3 or 4 weeks (insurance has to OK it). There are a number of options out there (surgery, radiation, seeds, cryo, wait and watch, etc.) Do your homework. Some of them have a less successful outcome. Others are for men under 70. Some are for enlarged prostates while others are for "younger" men. Everyone is unique. The biopsy will produce a Gleason Score (not to be confused with the PSA number). I had never heard of a Gleason Score. That score will tell you what stage the cancer is in and that score will have a lot to do with your options. Our urologist gave my husband a book to read, 100 Questions and Answers About Prostate Cancer. I highly recommend you read it.

If you have not been told, the biopsy of the prostate is not pleasant for the man. Pretty painful. Just letting you know in advance so you can help him out that day. And finally, a lot is said about the PSA test. AMA is now saying it doesn't do anything and shouldn't be done. In my husbands case it saved his life. His prostate was not enlarged, so during physicals it was thought to be "normal". Our super doctor didn't like the PSA number going steadily up and sent him to a specialist (urologist). His cancer is exceptionally aggressive. So, I am very glad your boyfriend is getting a biopsy. Treatment and cure is better than the alternative!! If I can answer any of your questions about the biopsy, etc. just let me know.

Re: Prostate Cancer

croemer — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 01:57:02 GMT

My husband went through this...this year he had a robotic prostectomy. He caught it early...stage 1. There are a limited number of surgeons who do this surgery...we found a great one locally. The surgery was about 2 hours long and he was in pain for about one week. He would come home with a catheter for about 4 days and he would return to the doctor to have it removed and flushed in the office to make sure everything is working properly. He would have about 5 small cuts used for the arms to the robot and tubes to remove blood and fluids.

We have had neighbors who elected to have radiation...from what we have learned you have some where around 27% chance of the cancer returning after this treatment. The little radiation balls we were told by our neighbor who chose radiation...melt together during the process...so if the cancer returns...they can no longer do surgery...your chose will be to take hormone pills for the rest of your life if it returns. They can not remove the little balls so you have to live with them. His cancer did return. You will be informed of his gleason score and what stage...this may determine his treatment. Read up and ask lots of questions. Take a pad with you with your questions and write down the answers. You may be in shock and not remember all the information. Here is some information on Gleason scores and what they mean: LINK

More info: LINK

Best of luck...try to stay calm...remember many men live a long life afterwards.

Re: Prostate Cancer

hckynut — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 14:06:06 GMT

Hello Moderators! I spent a lot of my time typing a response to this thread.

Any idea where or why I do not see it? It also does not show up in personal list of replies I have made in certain forums.

E.T.A. I even went back to edit my post so I know it was in this WELLNESS FORUM right after I posted it.

Now speaking of the preventative measures of this could violate Community Standards in what way? I have no problems with some of my posts being removed, but I do have a serious problem when my posts are removed for no logical reason.

Would be nice if the Moderator that removed it would explain, what word(s)/preventative procedure or my having 2 close friends die from this preventable disease, explain their reason to me.

hckynut(john)

Re: Prostate Cancer

esmeraldagooch — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 03:05:25 GMT

Thanks for your replys to the OP. My husband is in the same boat at the OP 's boyfriend.

Re: Prostate Cancer

Slainte — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 11:22:35 GMT

The prostate biopsy is very painful so be prepared for that.

My DH several years ago my DH had a rising PSA and came from a family where 3 other brothers had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The first biopsy came back Gleason 6. Google Gleason Score for more info, this is how they rate aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

Just a small section of the prostate was cancerous, so we did the "watchful waiting" for a year. PSA continued to rise. Next biopsy same Gleason 6 but more spread. More "watchful waiting" for a year. Third year biopsy (and these biopsies are very painful with complications for my DH) still Gleason 6 but spread to both lobes of prostate, T2c. At that stage, he decided enough was enough and had the robotic laparoscopic removal of prostate. He'd had enough with the biopsies and uncertainies.

One brother had radiation treatment for his prostate cancer and has had many urinary problems as a result, but that was 20 years ago. The other 2 brothers had surgeries and have done well. My DH has had no recurrance, with PSA checked every year.

If the Gleason score is greater than 6, treatment needs to be quicker due to the aggressiveness of the cancer.

Hope all goes well with your boyfriend.

Re: Prostate Cancer

Mmsfoxxie — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 12:49:56 GMT

Well, first of all, let's pray that it's not cancer, @Calcgirl. If it is, his age will have a lot to do with surgical procedure and outcome. The most important outcome is total removal of the cancer, of course. On a lesser note, your BF would hope to keep his bladder control, sexual proformance and one that people don't think of.... emotional health if your outcome is less than perfect. Loss of bladder control and sexual performance happens quite often and men can't deal with it. I never realized how many jokes you hear about prostate cancer and lack of sexual proformance until it happened to us.

Be positive with and for your BF and try to ignore the days that he lets it get the best of him. Good luck.

Re: Prostate Cancer

esmeraldagooch — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 13:56:01 GMT

There is another diagnostic test for men Apifiny. The only cancer specific non-PSA blood test that may aid clinicians in the detection of prostate cancer. They take your blood and ship it overnight to Armune Bioscience and see what your score is. 0-100 if your number is under 59 that is good. wwwdotarmune.com

Re: Prostate Cancer

croemer — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 13:56:58 GMT

@Slainte wrote:
The prostate biopsy is very painful so be prepared for that.
My DH several years ago my DH had a rising PSA and came from a family where 3 other brothers had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The first biopsy came back Gleason 6. Google Gleason Score for more info, this is how they rate aggressiveness of prostate cancer.
Just a small section of the prostate was cancerous, so we did the "watchful waiting" for a year. PSA continued to rise. Next biopsy same Gleason 6 but more spread. More "watchful waiting" for a year. Third year biopsy (and these biopsies are very painful with complications for my DH) still Gleason 6 but spread to both lobes of prostate, T2c. At that stage, he decided enough was enough and had the robotic laparoscopic removal of prostate. He'd had enough with the biopsies and uncertainies.
One brother had radiation treatment for his prostate cancer and has had many urinary problems as a result, but that was 20 years ago. The other 2 brothers had surgeries and have done well. My DH has had no recurrance, with PSA checked every year.
If the Gleason score is greater than 6, treatment needs to be quicker due to the aggressiveness of the cancer.
Hope all goes well with your boyfriend.

Your story sounds very much like ours. Our doctor told my husband he had the slowest growing type of prostate cancer and lets take a more wait and see. Well one month later his gleason score went up rapidly. I was already telling my husband lets just get it out...this visit made up our mind. His was contained thank goodness. He was back at work 11 days later. The doctor thought no way possible would he return for months...well...not my husband...he does better working and keeping his mind occupied.

Best of luck to all going through this...its a scary time...but...you can have life after prostate cancer.

Re: Prostate Cancer

hckynut — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 14:12:56 GMT

@esmeraldagooch wrote:
There is another diagnostic test for men Apifiny. The only cancer specific non-PSA blood test that may aid clinicians in the detection of prostate cancer. They take your blood and ship it overnight to Armune Bioscience and see what your score is. 0-100 if your number is under 59 that is good. wwwdotarmune.com

@esmeraldagooch

I still always get a digital exam. Are you saying by getting my PSA blood test and shipping it to a bioscience replace a standard digital exam?

hnj

Re: Prostate Cancer

esmeraldagooch — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 15:27:38 GMT

@hckynut wrote:
@esmeraldagooch wrote:
There is another diagnostic test for men Apifiny. The only cancer specific non-PSA blood test that may aid clinicians in the detection of prostate cancer. They take your blood and ship it overnight to Armune Bioscience and see what your score is. 0-100 if your number is under 59 that is good. wwwdotarmune.com

@esmeraldagooch

I still always get a digital exam. Are you saying by getting my PSA blood test and shipping it to a bioscience replace a standard digital exam?

hnj

No. It's just another tool to see if you have markers in your blood for cancer without doing a biopsy.

Re: Prostate Cancer

janeec — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 22:15:17 GMT

One thing you can do is call 1-800-4CANCER. That will connect you to the closest major cancer center. You request information regarding the particuler type of cancer (the more specific you are, the better). They will send you lots of information, for free. You may get solicited later for a donation, but it is your choice. The information generally includes items like treatment options, staging, etc. They are wonderful.

Best of luck.

Re: Prostate Cancer

Calcgirl — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 06:27:42 GMT

My prayers are wih you and your husband. I hope all goes well.

Re: Prostate Cancer

Calcgirl — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 06:40:58 GMT

Thank you all for the kind, encouraging words and for sharing your own encounter with prostate cancer. The best part of what everyone shared was the success that you all experienced. That brings hope that all will turn out well. I lost my late husband to illness; I really don't want to lose a dear friend.

He is 64 by the way. I won't be with him at the biopsy procedure, but his son will be there. Bad thing is he doesnt take pain well.

Re: Prostate Cancer

PilatesLover — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:07:39 GMT

First off - wishing everyone who has a loved one dealing with this issue all of the best for successful outcomes.

Secondly - for the love of God, why can't they give a man mild anesthesia before the biopsy? They do it for colonoscopies, dental surgery, etc. My husband was traumatized by his biopsy and I think it is barbaric that they do not offer anesthesia for such an invasive procedure in such a tender area.

Re: Prostate Cancer

fortune — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:25:50 GMT

@Calcgirl wrote:
Thank you all for the kind, encouraging words and for sharing your own encounter with prostate cancer. The best part of what everyone shared was the success that you all experienced. That brings hope that all will turn out well. I lost my late husband to illness; I really don't want to lose a dear friend.
He is 64 by the way. I won't be with him at the biopsy procedure, but his son will be there. Bad thing is he doesnt take pain well.

Why can't he ask for local anesthesia for this procedure?

My best wishes for your friend! Big HUGS to you!!!

Re: Prostate Cancer

jubilant — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:46:06 GMT

My DH had his prostate removed. He had it removed robotically (is that a word?) They felt they had got it all but his psa's came back and have been rising. They are waiting for it to get to a certain number, then they can do radiation on just the place they find. Within the next few months he will be getting radiation. Maybe someone already said this..... but please know that total removal can cause impotency and loss of bladder control.