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 recurrence.
Urologist says I am "cured" (January 2005). However, the side effects of the cure - erectile 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. I am otherwise physically fit. No back problems, bike swim and dance.
Harry is now 69 and says: I am doing well and just had my PSA and it is undetectable. Impotence is an issue but not having a partner, it doesn't matter much. Meanwhile, I'm in good shape as far as things go. I dance, swim, bicycle, hike, walk and eat out.
What a difference six months makes. Harry says he's well but as he has a new love in his life, he regrets the impotence.
I had a little concern last month in a routine annual PSA test. It showed 0.4 after 12 years. It was the first indication of any rise in PSA in 12 years. I had it repeated a week later and it came back undetectable. So I choose to believe it was an erroneous test. Otherwise no change. BTW, I moved and also got married again last month after eight years of widowhood.
Had a PSA scare last year, when it showed a slight increase to 0.4 and all other times for several years it had been undetectable. I insisted on another test immediately. Two subsequent tests have been undetectable. Probably a test error. All is well or at least tolerable.
Moved to British Columbia several years ago, and found medical system good. I have a PSA every year. I was married again two years ago. I am starting to think there must be better treatments today with fewer severe side effects than a Radical and would advise all to look carefully at options.
No change from previous updates. Not thought about much anymore.
No Change.
All remains stable and same as previous stories.
Except for side effects of radical, all is well, with many years of stability.
Same story, no issues.
No change since prior submission.
No change. All is good, what was not, I have adjusted.
Surgury done 1998. Now 2023. (25 years) Negligible PSA to date. Ensured cancer had not escaped capsule by bone scan prior to surgury.
All is good. Annual PSA negligible.
I have been supporting this site for almost 27 Years. In that time I have encounterd many in Canada with Prostate Cancer. Regretably some who have left it to late. Over this time there have been many improvements in treatment and I would encourage all to investigate with the help of your Professional and YANA as to the most recent and relevant to their diagnosis.
I have also encountered many who have said that their doctor will not provide a PSA because it is unreliable and the individuals are too old. No alternatives have been presented to them but maybe there are better methods now than the "finger". Some have persisted to the extent of changing doctors as I did 27 years ago.
As for me, it is becoming long forgotten as an issue. I have an annual PSA just in case. Now as an "Old Guy" other medical issues are of more concern. I believe I was lucky to have pushed for diagnosis and followed the advice of my doctors and after significant study of treatment decided on the "Gold Standard" of the time which was a radical prostatectamy.
Harry's e-mail address is: hcom AT telus.net (replace "AT" with "@")
