Way, way off the usual subjects I know, but if you think you are, or have been told you are, a possible candidate for prostate cancer, you might want to read on. Two years ago my family doctor discovered what he suspected was a tumor on my prostate gland. Two visits and a biopsy later, a urologist confirmed that there was a malignancy about the size of a dime. Because I was 75, I was given the following choices: radiology, chemotherapy, or a relatively new treatment called cryosurgery. Radical prostatectomy was not an option because, as I was reminded, I'm older than dirt. Dr. Kwatra, the urologist, gently nudged me toward the cryogenic (freezing) procedure because of the excellent results he'd had in previous cases. And, man, am I glad he did! An overnight stay in the hospital and a week with a catheter, and it was over, gone forever. I was back on my bike in less than three weeks--still a little tender in the crotch, yes, but riding. Guess my point is, if you're avoiding being tested for prostate cancer because of all the scary things you've heard, or you are in denial for some other dumb reason, you are doing yourself a REALLY big disservice.

Went to the Doctor due to some minor problems and he said "You are of that certain age so bend over". Bit of a shock but in hindsight not that bad. Radical Prostactomy 7 months later and just in time- due to pathology report on the Prostate.


So even if you do not think you have a problem- and you are over 50- At least get a PSA check done. My first PSA test was 16 and they get concerned if it is over 10 over here.

And on the riding- It did cause a lot of new saddles. Didn't get on the bike for 6 weeeks and I got of it very quick. That hurt and although new saddles did work- It took several years till it settled down

I had a high PSA, so had the biopsy (not fun!), but no cancer (or other bad things) were found, so I was back on the bike pretty much immediately.

The whole cancer screening process is overall not fun, but on the other hand, it beats the deathly alternatives.

Rick / OCRR

Um, thanks guys, I guess. I've been putting off making the appointment for a few months now, but made the call today

Everyone in this group should get a PSA regularly. PSA was climbing and they did bioposy every year for 4 years finally found it when the PSA hit 11. Had the seeds two years ago, back to work a week later (could a went the next day I swear) PSA 2 years later 0.2 and droping. The Biopsy's were twice as bad as the seeds!!!

Like Stapfam, I had a radical in 2003. My family doctor felt the abnormal prostate through a digital exam. I had just had a urologist appointment and PSA 6 months earlier and every thing was fine but a repeat PSA showed that it had doubled. OF course, a sonogram and biopsy showed advanced cancer including one area of the highest magnitude. Radical surgery was the only option and was performed immediately. I was just short of 52 years old.

Moral of the story: get those freaking tests done and don't wait!

When my father in law, God rest his soul, was diagnosed last year the dr's atitudes were along the line of any one over 70 is going to get prostrate cancer, no if ands or maybes.

My family dr has been shoving (pun intended) the exam on me since my mid 40's for no good reason I might add, every year its the same story, exam conducted and the relatively small size of my prostrate commented on, but no matter I am still getting the exam...the alternative doesn't really make sense...

One of the points made over here is that most men die with Prostate cancer and not because of it. That is not an excuse to be one of the minority though. Get tested.

Completely off off topic

Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England

So how close does that make you to Gatwick? I've flown in and out of Gatwick a few times, and we took our scouts camping near East Grinstead at the Blackland Farms guide camp back in '98 Of course we didn't get to explore as we would have liked but its beautiful country from the little bits I've seen.

Only about 30 miles. And the Country side is flat around Gatwick- Get 15 miles away and the slopes start and only 25 miles away are the Downs. 100 miles of rolling hills that are a joy after you have done with them.

I agree wholeheartedly.

People have made comments to me and I'm sure to you that would seem to indicate that prostate cancer is no big deal and that all men get it eventually. You and I both know that that is total BS and that "young" men die from it every day and also that not all prostate cancers are alike. Some grow faster than others and some cause more devastation and some metastasize before they are caught.

People who downplay the seriousness of prostate cancer or claim that something else will kill you first have their head up their wazoo or at least in the sand. My cancer was serious enough that I was only allowed enough time before surgery (about 4 weeks) to give two units of blood for myself and/or get second opinions.

I assure every one here that Stapfam and I will beat this dead horse forever until every one gets checked so every man here better get with it!

I'm 49 1/2, and just had my first PSA run about a week ago. Haven't got the results back yet.

I have a PSA and digital exam every year, it's part of the yearly physical. So far...so good, no prostate problems.

Very cool! I live in the flatlands, though we do have the occasional rolling hill but nothing like what a lot of folks get to ride on. This part of Indiana was all swamp when the French first explored it and till the 1930's much of it was still swamp, then farmers filled most of it in. We don't have anything worth calling a hill. It would most likely do me in to ride the kind of terrain you do.

Hey stapfam! Your first pic, top left...is that a UFO???

My PSA is above the "acceptable" level at 7.4. My doc has been monitoring it for about 5 years now. I've had three sets of biopsys performed. Each time the results were negative (whew!). After the third set, the doc said, "That's it, you've got a high PSA and that's all". We'll continue to watch it, but he said if it stays at this level, he's not going to be concerned.
Having lived through all the tests and thinking the last test was going to be positive, I can identify with those that are experiencing concern about this problem that many men have. The advice to obtain a PSA test and see a physician is the way to go.

My Dad had prostate cancer and had the radical surgery in his early 70's. He never completely recovered as it seemed to accelerate his Alzheimer's and Parkinson's after the surgery. He is one case that would have probably been better not having the radical surgery-but you just never know.

With the family history I get mine checked annually. So far so good.........but will not be surprised if it surfaces one day. I'm just not sure what option I'll choose after seeing my Dad's experience. My uncle did the seeds and he's fared a lot better.

I hope that some day they will come up with an effective and practical way to screen people for all of the many types of cancer, not just the most common. So many people discover their cancers by chance or only after it has progressed to the point it is much more difficult, if even possible, to treat effectively and without causing great discomfort and permanent damage to surrounding tissues and organs.

My throat cancer is a relatively rare form, especially for someone my age who does not smoke and drink heavily, but it accounts for 100% of the cancers I have contracted.

We've come a long way in detecting and treating cancer, but we have a long way to go still.

Only a hawk of some kind. Shows better in the Original and is probably a Harrier Hawk. Don't have many different birds of prey round here- But I went to the New Forest and saw their Buzzards. About the size of a Vulture and I did not like the way they kept circling round me.

To the point made here in several of the posts, article this month in Wired magazine about why the focus of the "War on Cancer" the US has been fighting for 20+years may have been directed on the wrong goal - treatment vs. early detection!

https://www.wired.com/medtech/health/...7-01/ff_cancer

I just had my yearly blood tests and check-up. PSA is low, but my prostate is somewhat enlarged - about normal for my age according to the doc. So what I want to know and what the doc doesn't/can't tell me, is what should I be doing to prevent it from enlarging further? Is it just genetics?

HI,
Most DR's forget that a PSA should never be done after a rectal Exam it can falsly elevate that PSA ... LAb rat I ve run a few..of those PSA's..
Another DR friend of mine was grossing on someones shredded prostrate and I asked him why do men have so much problems with the prostrate, and he said Its the nature of the beast, if you live long enough you will have prostrate cancer, its a conjested little gland that dosen't get enough exercise (more sex please hint, hint.. hehe) and seems to become easily infected with bacteria, and other nasties like human papaloma virus this may play a role too..
So I get mine done yearly so far so good and ,,PS I would opt for the Cryo procedure at any age.
Surgery can Play hell with a lot of nerves that area in the area of the prostrate it dont matter if the equipment works if you can't feel anything.....
Doug

While you are getting the digital prostate exam don't forget the other big cancer that is almost always curable if caught in time: Colon Cancer.

Get the annual slide test and the periodic colon exam. Sure it is a bit uncomfortable to prepare for. But, the exam itself is done under sedation so there is no discomfort there.

Prostate and Colon Cancer exams save lives; let one of them be yours.

Had prostate cancer 3 years ago at age 72.
Checked out my options for treatment on the internet and settled on radioactive seed implants.
Good choice for me; it has cut down on sexual activity by about 50% but things are still functioning quite well!
Spouse had breast cancer 6 years ago . . . we joke that between us we have cancer covered from 'top to bottom.' Hey, got to keep your sense of humor.
Yes we still tandem about 100 miles a week.
Yup get yourself checked!

As someone noted, prostates can get irritated quite easily. I had a PSA a few years ago after the exam found some "bumps" and some enlargement. The PSA was just over the normal range. The specialist did a biopsy which was negative, and suggested "saw palmetto" which is a plant extract. He sid it will not shrink a prostate as quickly as prescription meds, but for many people it works great.

A follow up after six months use found no bumps, no enlargement, PSA normal range. I am not one to take a bunch or "natural" remedies or supplements, but my experience with this one has been encouraging, and I continue to take saw palmetto. My PSA since then has remained well within "normal" range, no enlargement or bumps.

I did not get my initial PSA for years, as you know there is still much discussion about how useful it is. I am glad I did have the PSA. The first PSA may or may not be valuable, but if you have them routinely, it establishes your personal "baseline" which is very useful.