New Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines Boost 'Shared Decision Making'

My husband is 55. His PSA is 9. He had a biopsy and just

found out that he has moderately aggressive cancer. We don't know what direction he should take?

Cindy of NY 9:18PM June 07, 2010

eat right

The hamberger generation is very lucky we have these discoveries now in time to spurn new discoveries before it's too late.

tom of FL 11:37AM May 02, 2010

My father had never been given a PSA as part of his regular yearly physical. My father was a veteran and he learned that he could get assistance with his medicine if he began going to a clinic for veterans. As standard protocol for the physical at this clinic a PSA test was administered. My father's PSA came back elevated. After further testing, including a biopsy, it was determined that the cancer had not spread and that his gleason score showed that the cancer was not aggressive. My father, who was in his mid 70's and in very good health, was told he would die with the cancer, not from the cancer. The treatment my father chose was to do hormones treatments to keep his cancer at bay. This treatment worked very well for about a year and then something changed. Unfortunately, the urologist that was taking care of my father decided to ignore one of his PSA readings from one of his every four monthly visits. He said because the PSA jumped so much he just assumed it was a bad reading, but he never bothered to call my father in to have another test taken. So another four months went by before he was testing again, allowing the cancer to spread to his bones. My father died three years ago after a very brave fight against this terrible cancer. If I were a man and was told I had prostate cancer I would have it removed immediately -- why take the chance that either the cancer could change or you could end up with a doctor that was careless and should have never been practicing medicine. There are not too many types of cancer that can be completely removed from your body once you are diagnosed. I realize all the side effects that can potentially happen. But what is worse, living with the side effects or dying from the cancer. Seems like a no brainer to me.

tmp of GA 9:24AM March 08, 2010

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. At that time my PSA was under 3.0. My urologist recommended biopsy it came back positive, but low grade (for lack of a better definition). I was 44. The urologist advised that I needed immediate surgery. I visited with the surgeon he recommended, within days. The surgeon reviewed the PSA, biopsy, and my general health. He asked if I had any children and I shared that I did not. He said do you want any, I said maybe (laughing). Ultimately he explained to me the risks of surgery regarding my chances of producing children naturally. He then went on to say monitor things closely and take a year and see what happens in terms of children. With two conflicting recommendations I immersed myself in research. Based on my review of the evidence, including a then study by the VA to ascertain the risks of careful monitoring, I elected to adopt careful monitoring as my preferred method of treatment. Since that time the PSA has bounced up and down and has remained in the 5s or lower. I have enjoyed five years without the negatives, and they are negative, associated with surgery, and without any measurable symptoms (I had a lousy bladder before and still do, laughing). I have been called foolish and crazy. The research suggests otherwise. What I did is not for everyone. But, everyone should treat their physicians as advisors. Get at least one second opinion. As David shared the risks of surgery are great! The risks of doing nothing may be greater. But, do your own research, in consultation (not at the direction) of your physician. I would add only that if you elect either to not test or not treat that you work closely with your physician monitoring your health in general and that you attempt to adopt the healthiest lifestyle you can. I firmly believe that exercise, particularly cardio, and monitoring your health along with my physician is crucial!

of 2:01PM March 04, 2010