Prostate Cancer Survivors

GOLD

Harry Moore and his wife Elizabeth live in Alberta, Canada. He was 58 when diagnosed on 23 April 1997. His PSA was 14 ng/ml , Gleason 5 and Staging T1c. He had no symptoms.

He had Hormones of Lupron and Flutimide for 8 months prior to surgery which was tolerable with side effects. Surgery for Radical Prostatectomy was performed on 15 January 1998, with no complications. Worked with physiotherapist doing "Kegel" exercises after surgery. Incontinence tapered off in late April 1998 and stabilised at "OK" level. Some minor and annoying stress incontinence remains. Current PSA undetectable on most sensitive test (0.02 or less). Impotent at this time.

Harry is a strong supporter of a local PCa support group.

Harry Moore is now 63 with a PSA of 0.002 and is taking part in a trial. The trial is to determine if 3 months or 8 months of anti-androgens is better before a radical prostatectomy in terms of ease for the surgeon and success rate.

He was told he had a very small prostate after the 8 months and this made surgery difficult They have extended the trial from 5 years to 7 years because they believe 5 years is too short a cut off for prostate cancer recurrance.

Urologist says I am "cured" (January 2005). However, the side effects of the cure - erctile dysfunction and stress incontinence.

Last PSA was undetectable. Still impotent, but that is no problem as I do not have a partner after my wife died 5 years ago. I also understand that happens to many men of an older age, in any event.