Prostate Cancer

[ChristineM]

This is an appeal to all you men out there. Don't be embarrased, set your mind at ease by seeing your doctor regularly for a simple blood test.

Because of moving countries it had been just over 2 years since we last had blood tests. Under normal circumstances the results were good and we could rest easy for a year in the knowledge that we were (reasonably) heathy people.

My husband's test came back with a high PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) reading. There are a few reasons for a high PSA that can be corrected with medication, and one that is more serious, prostate cancer.

Further test were required.

To cut a long and very stressful story short (i really thought I'd lost him) it transpired that the cancer had been found in time, before it spread to the bones.

With prostate cancer, here in France there is a 99+% survival rate if diagnosed early, I'm assuming similar rates are typical in other countries. However, once it metastasizes the survival rate drops dramatically with as low as 30% chance of surviving for 10 years.

Prostate cancer is a secret killer, depening what country you live it's the 2nd or 3rd most common cause of cancer death in men yet it is one of the easiest cancers to cure if it is diagnosed early enough.

Speak to your doctor and ask to be tested for prostate cancer. It may save your life.

My husband had a radical prostatectomy 4 months ago, last week he had the all clear from his consultant. We had a serious scare, without testing it could have been much worse.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Glad your husband is still here and doing well. Thank you for the awareness/reminder.

 

[Phantasman]

Thanks for just an excellent post of concern. And I am elated to know everything turned out well for you and your husband. Myself, at 68, I get a digital once a year and blood test once every two years. My next is this Tuesday for 2018. Medicare pays 100% for the visit, and I have to pay $10 for my part of the blood test. It's a good investment and essential once men reach their 40s.

 

[ChristineM]

Thanks for just an excellent post of concern. And I am elated to know everything turned out well for you and your husband. Myself, at 68, I get a digital once a year and blood test once every two years. My next is this Tuesday for 2018. Medicare pays 100% for the visit, and I have to pay $10 for my part of the blood test. It's a good investment and essential once men reach their 40s.

It's a must, hoping your results are A-ok.

My hubby is 48, quite young but not unheard of.

 

[Subduction Zone]

And a point for men to remember, frequent sex of any sort significantly reduces the risk of prostate cancer:

Does frequent ejaculation help ward off prostate cancer? - Harvard Prostate Knowledge

"As part of Harvard’s Health Professionals Follow-up Study, 29,342 men between the ages of 46 and 81 reported their average number of ejaculations per month in young adulthood (ages 20–29), in mid-life (ages 40–49), and in the most recent year. Ejaculations included sexual intercourse, nocturnal emissions, and masturbation. Study participants also provided comprehensive health and lifestyle data every two years from 1992 to 2000. The scientists found that men who ejaculated 21 or more times a month enjoyed a 33% lower risk of prostate cancer compared with men who reported four to seven ejaculations a month throughout their lifetimes."

So rubbing one out may rub out prostate cancer.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Given that my family has a high risk of cancer I'm doing my tests when I hit 40.....Prostate cancer who are African-American and have a family history should be tested at 40-45.

 

[ChristineM]

Given that my family has a high risk of cancer I'm doing my tests when I hit 40.....Prostate cancer who are African-American and have a family history should be tested at 40-45.

Absolutely.

 

[Srivijaya]

rubbing one out may rub out prostate cancer.

I'd heard that before. You'd think that with the prevalence of internet porn, prostate cancer rates would have inexplicably fallen in the last decade or so.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I'd heard that before. You'd think that with the prevalence of internet porn, prostate cancer rates would have inexplicably fallen in the last decade or so.

Hard to say. There are other factors involved. One is age. The longer a man lives the more likely he will contract that disease. Diet is a factor. As in so many cases an unhealthy diet will also increase one's risk. This study concentrated on only one aspect and even then it was only a 33% decrease, not a one hundred percent no cancer rate.

 

[Vinayaka]

This is an appeal to all you men out there. Don't be embarrased, set your mind at ease by seeing your doctor regularly for a simple blood test.

Because of moving countries it had been just over 2 years since we last had blood tests. Under normal circumstances the results were good and we could rest easy for a year in the knowledge that we were (reasonably) heathy people.

My husband's test came back with a high PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) reading. There are a few reasons for a high PSA that can be corrected with medication, and one that is more serious, prostate cancer.

Further test were required.

To cut a long and very stressful story short (i really thought I'd lost him) it transpired that the cancer had been found in time, before it spread to the bones.

With prostate cancer, here in France there is a 99+% survival rate if diagnosed early, I'm assuming similar rates are typical in other countries. However, once it metastasizes the survival rate drops dramatically with as low as 30% chance of surviving for 10 years.

Prostate cancer is a secret killer, depening what country you live it's the 2nd or 3rd most common cause of cancer death in men yet it is one of the easiest cancers to cure if it is diagnosed early enough.

Speak to your doctor and ask to be tested for prostate cancer. It may save your life.

My husband had a radical prostatectomy 4 months ago, last week he had the all clear from his consultant. We had a serious scare, without testing it could have been much worse.

Along the same line, but for women, please don't think you're immune from beast cancer just because you're young. I had a friend who was diagnosed at age 26. She had the common sense to have a doctor look at the lump, fortunately, and has fully recovered. When we went out for lunch during her recovery, I learned about the wig lending library the local cancer institute has here. She has a great sense of humour so was enjoying having different hair almost every day.

 

[ChristineM]

Along the same line, but for women, please don't think you're immune from beast cancer just because you're young. I had a friend who was diagnosed at age 26. She had the common sense to have a doctor look at the lump, fortunately, and has fully recovered. When we went out for lunch during her recovery, I learned about the wig lending library the local cancer institute has here. She has a great sense of humour so was enjoying having different hair almost every day.

I agree and have a mammogram every 2 years, I'd advise all women to do the same My only complaint is the machine was obviously designed by a man who should have his testicles squeezed in there just to see what its like.

Regarding the wig library. There is an advert on tv in the uk at the moment

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I had a scare about 15 years ago and the PSA blood test came back rather high.
They found I had a massively enlarged prostate ( grapefruit sized and the biggest he had seen, according to the consultant.)
he did the usual Biopsy ( 6 each side) which came back negative. however he did not seem to believe the results and sent me for another (12 each side) this time. and again negative. I have been on medication ever since to shrink the prostate, and have had one more Biopsy. and have a PSA blood tests every six months. I am now 83. but it seems like sitting on a time bomb.

 

[Jedster]

@ChristineM
A good reminder to all.
My cousin was diagnosed with it a couple of years ago(age 79) and has been having treatment with regular checks.
He is now in remission.

 

[ChristineM]

@ChristineM
A good reminder to all.
My cousin was diagnosed with it a couple of years ago(age 79) and has been having treatment with regular checks.
He is now in remission.

It seems the treatment varies with age, my hubby had radical surgery, with older men radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments are more effective.

Great news for your cousin

 

[ChristineM]

I had a scare about 15 years ago and the PSA blood test came back rather high.
They found I had a massively enlarged prostate ( grapefruit sized and the biggest he had seen, according to the consultant.)
he did the usual Biopsy ( 6 each side) which came back negative. however he did not seem to believe the results and sent me for another (12 each side) this time. and again negative. I have been on medication ever since to shrink the prostate, and have had one more Biopsy. and have a PSA blood tests every six months. I am now 83. but it seems like sitting on a time bomb.

At least there is no cancer and regular checks must help ease your mind.

A friend of mine had similar, he's in his 60s. Medication controls his BPH too. He's a keen cyclist and doesn't let it worry him.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Hard to say. There are other factors involved. One is age. The longer a man lives the more likely he will contract that disease. Diet is a factor. As in so many cases an unhealthy diet will also increase one's risk. This study concentrated on only one aspect and even then it was only a 33% decrease, not a one hundred percent no cancer rate.

So best to rub one out whilst eating organic vegetables and drinking a couple of litres of fresh rainwater.

 

[Subduction Zone]

So best to rub one out whilst eating organic vegetables and drinking a couple of litres of fresh rainwater.

Water is not a problem where I live. It is amazingly pure. But you might have a point about organic vegetables. Supposedly they may have better flavor than non-organic so even though they are a bit less pretty than regular pesticide protected vegetables. Flavor will win me over more than unsupported (in the case of organic vegetables) health claims.

But by all means rub one out and enjoy it. Not just for the health benefits, but also for the knowledge that you will be ticking off extremists.

 

[ajay0]

My uncle died from prostrate cancer which later spread to his bones. He was a man of great vitality and charm, and it was a sad sight to see him as an invalid in a hospital bed later on.

I later came to read in a newspaper article that consumption of eggs can increase the risk for prostrate cancer. Interestingly, my uncle was habituated to having eggs for breakfast daily.

Why are Eggs Linked to Cancer Progression? | NutritionFacts.org

I think diligent observation of diet can itself play a major role in prevention of cancer.

 

[ChristineM]

My uncle died from prostrate cancer which later spread to his bones. He was a man of great vitality and charm, and it was a sad sight to see him as an invalid in a hospital bed later on.

I later came to read in a newspaper article that consumption of eggs can increase the risk for prostrate cancer. Interestingly, my uncle was habituated to having eggs for breakfast daily.

Why are Eggs Linked to Cancer Progression? | NutritionFacts.org

I think diligent observation of diet can itself play a major role in prevention of cancer.

If not heard of the eggs link, thanks

In agree diet is important.

 

[ChristineM]

Update 10 August 2019


Three months ago on a bi-annual visit to his consultant it was noticed my husbands PSA level was rising. It appears some microscopic cancer cells were missed during his op and are now doing what cancer do.

Hormone treatment and radiotherapy were recommended.

The hormones knocked his PSA to almost undetectable levels and he started the radiation treatment early this week.

So, another appeal. If you have the misfortune to develop prostate cancer it is always advisable to have regular checkups.