YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

BRONZE

Andre H lives in Florida, USA. He was 45 when he was diagnosed in July, 2009. His initial PSA was 3.0 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 3+3=6 and although he does not state his staging, it seems clear from his narrative that he was staged T1c. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I am a 45 years old single male and was diagnosed with prostate cancer a little over a month ago. Briefly here is my story: About two years ago I started having UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) about every six months which were quickly remedied by a round of Cipro. This past June 2009 I had my latest UTI which again was remedied by a round of Cipro. The more than normal amount of UTI's plus a weaker urine flow as of late brought me to a local Urologist in which he started doing the standard tests such as, urine flow check, DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) & PSA.

The urine flow check was fine, DRE normal, but the PSA came back at 3.0 which is still in the "normal range", but because of my relatively young age he recommended a biopsy just to make sure I didn't have Prostate Cancer. Went thru the biopsy check a couple of weeks later, and when the results came back I was stunned!, diagnosis: Prostate Cancer. The Urologist said the staging and the Gleason score (3+3=6) meant that it wasn't an aggressive growing cancer and it was in the initial stage, and only 3 of 12 came biopsies came back positive at 5%. 10% & 25% respectively. He gave me the standard lecture about all of my options, but he seemed to be pushing the surgery option the most since I was young.

Two weeks later at my follow-up, I told him I was not ready to make any treatment decisions yet, and that I was also probably going to get a second or third opinion. That's where I currently stand, I have names of Radiation Oncologists and another Urologist which I may consult with shortly. In the meantime I will be getting another PSA test on my own shortly, and after that I will have an update.

 

UPDATED

September 2009

 

 

Brief Update September 23 2009:

I had a PSA done on my own, came back a pleasant surprising 0.4 !. Based on initial Gleason score, initial diagnosis and the latest PSA reading, I've Decided to go to ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE at this time, but will still continue to study the different options available.

The only option I've eliminated is the Cryotherapy option, just don't think that "freezing" is the way to go for me.

I've changed my lifestyle somewhat since diagnosis, very little red meat plus taking prostate supplements & more excercise., honestly don't know if these changes caused the drop in my PSA, but hopefully it will keep on dropping.

Will update after the next PSA test or if I decide on an agressive treatment option.

 

UPDATED

July 2010

 

On my one year anniversary of being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, there is some good news.

Since the last update I chose Active Surveillance/Watchful Waiting for treatment. Along with monitoring my PSA I continue to eat very little red meat, eating more vegetables, and continuing on Prostate supplements. I also eat asparagus daily as I've read that it has many cancer fighting properties in it.

My most recent PSA reading was 0.55 which is just a very slight elevation from 0.4 at the last test. [This doesn't really qualify as an elevation. PSA tests are simply not accurate enough to measure a change as small as this - see PSA 101] My long term average reading going back six tears is around 0.60 . I will continue to monitor my PSA closely and continue life-style changes., if I have a consistent elevation in PSA then I will take further action, but until then I feel that the side effects of aggressive treatment are too risky for me at this stage.

With the slow growth and low PSA #'s, I am hoping/praying for dormancy/slow growth of the cancer. I will update after my next PSA test.... .

Andre's e-mail address is: andre63jh@bellsouth.net