Oh, well at least it's the slow growing one ..

[CNickIII]

When people learn I've got advanced prostate cancer, they say 'Oh, well at least it's the slow growing cancer.' I appreciate the positive thoughts but the effects of this cancer can be as devastating as any other form of the disease. My only advice to other APC patients is always consider quality of life first and foremost -- make the decision that is best for YOU -- and remember the description 'the slow growing cancer' is inaccurate.

[Tall_Allen]

Well, it is among the slowest growing of cancers while it is localized, and in many men, even in early metastatic stages. Arguably, we diagnose it earlier, which makes the progression seem even slower.

[Dad1963]

Not all is slow growing. I have a very aggressive strain. Went from non detectable Psa to a 27 with a 9 Gleason and lymph node invasion in 6 months.

[msnik]

Hello CNicklll, I have to admit that I STILL resent having heard this from a co-worker years ago when I was talking to her about my husband's cancer......I am absolutely sure that I have said and done very stupid things to people with cancer or their family members....in fact, the other day I said "Do you think she has that long?" when a friend told me her mother's prognosis with breast cancer. I apologized later in an email.

So, "slow growing" might be a relative thing......say, as opposed to pancreatic or lung.....and I am grateful for every year and every day.....but I would say it is a pretty crummy thing to hear......my husband and I used to say that cancer is like a Rorschach test....what people say is more about them than about you.....good luck, all my best, and may it be slow......

[j-o-h-n]

Slow growing is the grass on their lawn. CANCER is F&N CANCER.

Good Luck and Good health.

j-o-h-n Sunday 04/22/2018 12:35 PM EDT

[Caring7]

Totally with you on this annoyance. Whenever someone said something like "it's a slow-growing one" or "my dad had that for years" or other similar attempts at up-beat comments . . . I jut matter-of-factly say, "Not for my husband. He has an aggressive cancer and was diagnosed as Stage IV." It's not an aggressive response but an honest one, and that usually gets people to pay closer attention. And maybe that's a good thing in that more people are getting educated about the *different* kinds and levels of PCa. Usually, it leads to a more in-depth conversation when I say that, or at least a more appropriate response, like "wow, I didn't know about that kind, I'm sorry you're going through that." I think a direct response about what it is is the best approach. We take this approach just generally. We are very upfront about his disease, within limits based on the audience, but it seems to work pretty well that way.

Good luck with the insensitive types. And with your battle.