CancerCompass message board discussion started by bowie on 1/7/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,19466,0.htm Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi all. I'm a brand new member, just diagnosed with prostate cancer. I feel a bit cheated as I'm feeling too good to be sick!I'm 62 yrs old, still enjoying an active sex live with my wonderful wife and the thought of the stated side effects scare the both of us, I've seen a highly recommended surgeon who's advising surgery asap. However, I have a brother-in-law who is a "New Ways" member and is very keen to get me started on B17 (laetrile).before I even THINK of surgery! Over the past few days I've read quite a bit regarding it, most of the material believable, as are their stated reasons as to why the medical profession won't support it. Also. I have a son who is a GP as well as a very good friend, also a GP and the "medical" side of the argument against B17 that they both come up with is very vague and non-commital.I would love to hear from somebody in a similar situation to me, who could perhaps throw some lihght on the subject.Cheers,Ron      bowie Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT How would we know? : we don't know your diagnosis or details. Johnw100 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT OK. Fair enough!I've had a PSA reading sitting on around 26 for the past two years, although it did get as high as 96 at one stage, but my GP put that down to a bladder infection which I had at the time.A biopsy which took 9 samples showed cancer in 2 of them. I followed this up with a bone and a CAT scan, both of which showed no met.My prostate is just over twice as big as it should be, but strangely, I don't suffer the symptoms usually associated with that, apart from a  reduced urine flow of about 30% and ultrasounds showed that I am not expelling my bladder completely. (which apparently caused the bladder infection)Apart from that no problems.My surgeon is keen to operate as he suggests that a guy my age (62) shouldn't wait and he doesn't like radiation as he says it can be difficult to "join up the ends" after radiation, if in fact the cancer re-appears and the prostate has to be removed after all.Cheers,Ron        bowie Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Didn't Steve McQeen the famous movie actor take this and where is he now? Get a second opinion at  MD Anderson in Houston or Sloan Kettering in NY the worlds two best. needhelp Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT As implied, choice of doctor and institution is a very important consideration.Treatment choices depend largely on clinical stage and whehter it's low risk (usually defined as PSA 10 or less, Gleason score of 6, and clinical stage T2a or less), or whether the cancer is Intermediate or High risk which involves Gleason scores of 7 and higher.Unfortunately there are a lot of gray areas with all PC tests:        Depending on the quality of equipment used, some of the diagnositic scans and MRIs often do not necessarily  give the clear cut results sometimes published. No doubt the top institutions previously suggested whould have the most up to date equipment available.Diet and lifestyle changes, exercise, diet and supplements are important. This is an overall thing which can improve general health and assist prognosis,  but it's doubtful and not proven that any single supplement will offer a cure.It's worth reading a good book on the subject:Lee Nelson M D was diagnosed with high risk cancer some years ago. His book "Prostate Cancer Prevention and Cure" is very comprehensive and covers diagnosis, selecting a doctor, treatment choices, lifestyle changes etc. Although written a few years ago, it's well worth reading.Dr Charles Myers is a PC expert who has published the book "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy and Diet"."Dr Peter Scardino's Prostate Book" is written by one of the top PC surgeons from MSK.Yes, it's usually worth obtaining another viewpoint: It would be well worthwhile consulting a top medical oncologist who is an expert unbiased consultant.specializing in PC.Best of luck. Johnw100 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Bowie: likely your gp did not test your situation properly...agree with most comments above...your psa has been too high too long....based on what you say, you're likely best to remove the prostate, nns & 30 lymph nodes...your sex life will never be the same but you may have a monster right around the corner if you dont act soon...all these other cosmetic hopeful treatments are probably not successfully in your future....as a 1 yr survivor to date & no bad phone calls...best wishes... Kenny Bouy Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have read some of the replies and when I found out that I had PC my urologist recommended I read a book by Dr. Patrick Walsh.  The name of the book is "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer".  He is a prof. of Urology at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. If you look in the book on page 337 it explains the procedure I had done.  I am 68 and had a Gleason score of 7 and a PSA of 4.36 with a stage T1c cancer.  I opted for Brachyterapy and had that done 6 weeks ago today. The only side effects that I am having so far is my urination is not back to normal yet.  I am taking Floumax in the evenings to help with that.  I do not have incontenance.  My sex life is back to normal. Every situation is always a little different.  I did not have a CT or bone scan done because my urologist said that in most cases there were usless and ' a waste of time and money'.  It is good that nothing showed up in your case, but quite often when things do show up they are not neccessarily cancer.I will go back and have a PSA done at a later date and see if the score has dropped.  If it has gone down to near 0 that should mean the cancer has not spread.  The best of luck on your treatment.  adepose Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT What are you waiting for ???Have the surgery NOW - your life depends on it...Don't waste time thinking of odd-ball Mexican approaches....Let your prostate surgeon operate...Get educated...    Richardg Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Larry the cable guy says, "git er dun". Ignorance may be bliss, but stupidity is forever. A 40 gram prostate  with cancer in lobes seems to produce enough evidence to warrant your surgeons' suggestion, but it's up to you. Don't be a fool!! Don't wait. POOKIETRAIN Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT