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| At the risk of beating a dead horse, I thought I would start a new thread. Reading through the PC threads I see a lot of misconceptions about diagnosing and treatin prostate cancer. I have been through it, and I have counceled other guys that have.
A slightly high PSA test doesnt mean you have cancer. Yes a PSA test is just a simple blood test. I wonder if some people get confused between PSA tests and a Prostate Biopsy. The biopsy they dont just do at the drop of a hat, A high PSA just means you need further testing,
I had 4 PSA tests over a few months to confirm results. Usually you get a round of anti biotics in between tests in case there is a urinary tract infection that can cause a high PSA.
The digital scan (dredded finger) dosent do much as far as PC. its more for detecting enlarged prostate if your having urinary issues. Its worthless for detecting PC
After a few high PSA tests then you get a prostate biopsy. That is a thrill Iam glad Ill never have again. Its kinda like going to the dentist to get a cavity filled, except hes working on the other end.
The biopsy should be guided by scans to tell the dr where to take samples. Those samples are sent off to be given a Gleason score, you dont get the results right then. you either get an all clear, no cancer, or a score of 6 to 10 on each core, with a percentage of cancer in each core. there are usually 12 cores taken. I was Gleason 7 in 3 of the 12 cores.
After you get those results the decision on treatment is made. There are several treatments, Surgery or Radiation are most common. Radiation a lot of times comes with Hormone Theropy (which has its own side effects). there are some lesser used treatments like radioactive seeds. and some new technics are being introduced. ALL treatments have pros and cons. some side effects are immediate (surgery) others come around years later (radiation)
If you are G-6 in just a couple of cores you can do Active Surveilience. Which means more PSA tests, and maybe another biopsy down the road, but no immediate treatment
An MRI will probably also be used in this at sometime.
Age and health play into the decision. I was 54 so I was thinking long term. Guys over 70 get radiation becuase it can take 10 years for the side effects of radiation to show up. Guys over 80 prob dont get treated, either its too late, or the cancer is in early stages and youll die of something else first. Biden should have been diagnosed and treated in his 70s. then he wouldnt have had bone cancer at 84
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Prostate cancer misconceptions
