Thousands of men have never been heard - Active Surveillan...

Active Surveillance - Prostate Cancer

664 members373 posts

Thousands of men have never been heard

Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner
4 Replies

I'm pissed off that many doctors buy into pre-disposed stereotypes and don't bother to engage in meaningful consultations with their patients. This might be particularly toxic for men appropriate for active surveillance. Am I wrong or is it time to change this. What are the stereotypes and cliches and bigoted ideas about men that boil your blood (or, that you just notice and move on from)?

For examples:

Most men love watching sports

Most men won't see a doctor

Most men don't talk about their feelings

Most men have a high tolerance of pain

Most men won't cry

Most men are married

Most men resist digital rectal exams

Written by
Darryl profile image
Darryl
Partner
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
4 Replies
Fox2018 profile image
Fox2018

Hello Daryl,

I have a question for you. Over on the advanced prostate cancer site there are many stories of men who receive a diagnosis of severely advanced PCa. They are surprised and shocked by the diagnosis.

How is it that the disease can get to such advanced stages in so many men without being detected at an earlier stage via regular PSA and/or DRE tests and exams?

Mike

Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner in reply toFox2018

Prostate cancer doesn't always progress at a steady rate. I've met many men who had low or lowish annual PSA results for years, and then, suddenly,their PSA elevates and their biopsy shows a Gleason 8 or 9. Also, many men in their 40's and 50's have an elevated first time PSA...should we be PSA testing in the 20's and 30's. I've met and, eventually mourned two men who, in their 40's, had first time PSA scores of around 200 and 400. Also, African American men are much more likely to have a Gleason 8 or 9 at earlier ages than white men....no one "really" knows why, yet.

Rob100 profile image
Rob100 in reply toDarryl

You are correct. Officially the medical profession doesnt know why Africsn Americans are more likely to have advanced cases. The theory is that it is known I'm general they have significant lower levels of 25hydroxy vitamin d when they live north of equator. Out of the 12,000 people I have tested for vit d levels in my practice, several thousand have been Africa American and ONE lone man had a level over 32 ng.....80 nMol. Their average level is lower than the average Caucasian . The medical profession tends to not publicize the valid studies on vit d, thats a whole different issue.

JimVanHorn profile image
JimVanHorn

I agree with Darryl. The cancer is often slow growing but can also be very deadly. Letting it go for many years may not be the best idea. I started in 2007 and since then a lot of information has been found out about this monster. I was treated and I am currently free of cancer. I wish you all luck!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

ART AACR Journal ; Effect of Sulforaphane in Men with BCR after Radical Prostatectomy

I have posted an NIH study with similar findings and have noted that I have taken 20mg of...
RMontana profile image

ART How to Increase TET Naturally; Dr Rena Malik, M.D.

ART How to Increase TET Naturally; Dr Rena Malik, M.D. Here is a good set of 5 recommendations on...
RMontana profile image

Biopsies

I am nine years out since diagnosis of a very low-risk Gleason 6 tumor. It was found in a single...
AS2010 profile image

WHAT ARE THE A.S. BEST PRACTICES?

I'm sharing my approach in hopes that there are nuggets of wisdom on some or all of the following...
123-Anoka profile image

Active Surveillance Helpful Hints and Suggestions

Please reply with your helpful hints and suggestions for 1. figuring out when to do PSA tests and...
Darryl profile image
Partner

Moderation team

Bethishere profile image
BethishereAdministrator
Number6 profile image
Number6Administrator
Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.