I need help making a decision

[123-Anoka]

I have been on active surveillance for 18 months now, my PSA has climbed from 8.1 to 10 over the past 12 months. During this time I had an MRI and a biopsy that both revealed possible tumor growth. My Gleason score is 7.

For the past 15 months I have been trying to keep it at bay with an organic vegan diet, supplementation, exercise and emotional healing. I'm feeling better than I have in years!

I'm 57 years old. My doc is recommending removal and I'm feeling inclined to proceed in that direction sometime in January.

While I don't expect to give up on the new lifestyle that I have adopted (I love it!), I am bummed it has not worked better.

Your feedback, wisdom and advice are totally welcome.

Mike

[123-Anoka]

I was diagnosed with PCa in June 2018. Started with a PSA of 9.75 which lead to a digital exam then a biopsy. Biopsy revealed PCa with a Gleason score of 6 (3+3) / Grade group 1 on the right side and 7 (3 +4) / Grade group 2 on the left. First doc recommended removal, second was OK with Active Surveillance.

I started learning about the benefits of a raw organic anti cancer protocol from my friend Randy who was dealing with something similar. Became vegetarian in mid July. Then vegan in mid Aug. PSA tested in Sept revealed a 9.1 which was encouraging. Later in December(12 months ago) it went down to 8.17. Then it started to climb: March 2019 was 8.45, Sept was 9.1. Last week was 10.

[AS2010 in reply to 123-Anoka]

Mike, Maybe it is time for a second opinion? I can tell you that PSAs range all over the place. Mine hit a high of almost 9 and since then it dropped to around 5 and has stayed there for five years, My urologist said there are seasonal factors that can make the PSA go up and down. Aew tiy a 3+4 or a 4+3? How anxious are you?

[P-M-A]

Mike, take a deep breath and continue doing what you are doing. Your PSA can be rising because of an inflammation, riding a bike for exercise, prostatitis, or something else.

If you rip out your prostate your whole life will change and at 57 it should not be acceptable.

Find a 2nd or 3rd opinion asap. Find a Dr who will dive into you as a person to see why it is rising. There are tests you can have run Exo Dx, and a new blood test that is available now (Ccek). Imaging is the new Technology, 3T mpMRI, micro-Ultrasound System, without a biopsy. Feel free to go to our website at, aspatients.org/ and you can reach me at [e-mail] for further info. I am a Glesaon 7 with T2/T3 PCa for 10 years and I am a Vegan, Macrobiotic (Pestcatirian). I have have changed for the better in my condition and my PSA today it is dropping and is at 30. This isn't the only test I rely on, there are several others that are more reliable. At your age, you should be concerned, but find a Dr who will help you with why your PSA is going up. Mine grew slowly from 6 to 30.2 over the 10years and I am in the best health of my life and have not had any treatments. You are not alone and patients communicating with patients is very important. The last thing a person should consider is Surgery and only as a last resort.

I am not in the medical field, I am a patient, we just interpret data and empower men to become more proactive about their health. We do not take the place of any physician or health care professional. We work with them on a daily bases to help patients.

[Hindemith]

Mike, I second what AS2010 and P-M-A have suggested. A lot of guys with a single 3+4 core are on AS. This doesn't of course mean that you are part of that group anymore, but a second and even a third opinion is the best way to help you make the right decision. Also it would be good for us to know the percentages of your cores.

Did you have your uro send biopsy samples to Dr. Epstein?

[gardenerd]

Similar situation, though I'm 72-but due to diet and exercise, feel more like 57. My PSA has gone from 5ish to 7ish in 4.5 years, with one core tiny amount of Gleason 3+4=7. I have pursued the same remedies as you-vegan, exercise, supplements. A little disappointed that it has not had a larger effect. Not sure what to do, but getting a second opinion in January. Usually my attitude is good, but occasionally the worry creeps in...

[Fox2018]

Hello Mike,

7 weeks after having robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, all is well. Fully continent, both nerves spared, a clean final pathology report, no spread outside the prostate, and a 6 week PSA test reading that is negligible. Next follow-up PSA test is in 3 months. My PSA was never higher than 0.90. Gleeson was 7 (3+4) in 2 of 12 cores at 10%. I watched it for about 15 months and finally decided to get it out before it moved outside the gland. My age is 65.

Mike

[P-M-A]

Anoka, what is your status today?

[123-Anoka]

Hi all - THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WISDOM AND INSIGHTS!

30 days post robotic surgery. Cancer was contained in prostate with no evidence of it exiting the gland. Recovery is steady, now feeling about 80%. Lost 5 lymph nodes and a nerve bundle in the process as well. Dr. is confident in the overall success of the surgery and results. Looking forward to next PSA test, etc. Bladder control is coming back day by day. This was the best decision for me, I also believe that AS was also the right approach. Moving forward I will continue to pursue an anti-cancer diet and lifestyle.

Thank you again!