Cancer cells - aggravating factors

[kevinf]

Now I'm on active surveillance I am obviously anxious to keep my PSA level down and my risk factors as low as possible. I am doing all the things I was advised to do but recently had a shunt on a motorcycle and took a whack in the balls. Only slight bruising resulted and I didn't require treatment. However, I got a bit worried later that this type of injury could aggravate the cancer. Does anyone know if there is a danger of this or am I just being a bit paranoid?

[Hidden]

Hi, I can't claim to actually 100% know, but think it unlikely that your bump will aggravate prostate cancer cells to grow any faster. If the impact was to your prostate ,(as well as your testes), then it may put your PSA up temporarily. A raised PSA is not only caused by cancer cells, any inflammation of the prostate can cause it. I don't think you're being paranoid but I can empathise with your anxiety about your PSA level.

[kevinf in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying. Like in a lot of things you can read too much into online explanations and I started worrying when I read about testosterone feeding cancer cells.

[Hidden in reply to kevinf]

Yes online explanations aren't always accurate, often contradictory and often someone's trying to scare you into buying their "wonder cure". Yes testosterone (TSE) is a factor in prostate growth. But it's not straightforward. I have read scholarly articles, (research studies) that suggest that the amount of circulating (free) TSE is a better indicator of Prostate cancer (PCA) than Total TSE. Some doctors test for free and total TSE and base the decision to go for a biopsy based on this.

It also said that TSE is not a good indicator of how aggressive the cancer will be. I have also read a scholarly article that says the relationship between TSE and PCA is weak anyway. Furthermore, this study pointed out that TSE is an androgen i.e. it promotes muscle growth and limits fat deposition whereas obesity increases the risk of PCA.

However in your case, damaging the source of your testosterone would most likely reduce your testosterone, not increase it!

Of all the things you could find to worry about, I wouldn't give your accident too much consideration.

But ouch, it must have hurt!

[kevinf in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that. It does make sense but I've also been told definitely not to ride a bicycle for at least 48 hours before my next PSA blood test. I think I'll give the motorbikes a wide berth as well!

[Hidden in reply to kevinf]

Golden rules 48 hours prior to PSA test

1 Don't have one if you've got a urinary tract infection.

2 Don't do any vigorous exercise, including bike riding, foot power OR motor.

3 Don't do anything that causes you to ejaculate!

4 Don't have any investigation, e.g. prostate biopsy, digital rectal exam of prostate, cystoscopy etc.

5 in March this year I had PSA test after an MRI scan and it went up! I've no proof that the MRI caused the rise but it does involve strong magnetization and being zapped with radio waves.

AFTER the test you can do all of these things as you wish.

I wish I had a motorbike, haven't had one since 1996

[Steveo3312]

Buy Book How not to Die and read the section about Prostate Disease and Prostate Cancer

[kevinf]

Got it. It's on Amazon for 99p. Will read it later. Thanks.

[kevinf]

A very interesting read and it was good to see that the author was saying all the same things as my doctor. However, there is still no mention of any relationship between cancer growth and traumatic injury.

[MelbourneDavid]

There is no link between occasional traumatic injuries and cancer and no link between testosterone levels and prostate cancer unless the testosterone is at castration levels.

Remember that PSA is only rough marker for prostate cancer. None of the things to avoid before a PSA test affect the cancer, they just avoid non~cancer causes of increased PSA.

Likewise diet things that reduce your PSA don't necessarily make any difference to the cancer - they may just be reducing the amount of PSA produced by normal prostate cells, or interfering with the cancer cells' PSA production without affecting their growth.

I think Timz"s discussion of free TSE is actually referring to free vs total PSA.

[kevinf]

Thanks David, To be honest, what you are saying is what I actually always believed to be the case. However, there are so many books, articles and adverts around now that give the impression that the cancer itself can be controlled by diet and lifestyle I was beginning to wonder if some of it could be true. As they say: a little knowledge is a dangerous thing...