From Active Surveillance to Metastatic Prostate Cancer – Know Your Risks As You Decide

[JoelT]

In a prospective study published in the Journal of Urology, researchers reported the risk men face of developing metastatic disease. They evaluated a large, mature, active surveillance cohort.

From the Malecare Advanced Prostate Cancer Blog:

tinyurl.com/gqt8js5

[CERICWIN]

I'm not an advocate of active surveillance, due to my own experience and hindsight.

How I regret that I didn't seek treatment earlier, when the damned prostate could have been cut out of me, saving me from so much pain and suffering, and the enormous medical expenses.

But in my case, I was in denial, and thought that I had simply an enlarged prostate, taking those silly pills that they advertise on TV.

So I'm paying quite a price for waiting, even though it wasn't active surveillance.

The earlier a cancer is detected and treated, the better the outcome and higher chances of remission.

I have a friend, Harry, who was treated with brachytherapy by the famous Dr. Dattoli, and has been in remission for 14 years. They caught his prostate cancer just in time.

My doctors have told me not to "beat myself up" about not getting treated earlier, and I suppose that they're right, but I'll always bitterly regret not being able to have my cancerous prostate cut out of me before it spread to lymph glands and bone.

It's ironic that I still have my prostate, but now no testicles---the opposite of most of the guys---my prostate had invaded the bladder and up against the rectum wall, so removal would have meant removing the bladder and a colostomy. At least I've been spared that much.

But, everything considered, I'm lucky to be alive and to have the healthcare which keeps me going. And I miss the Malecare site--it was like losing my family.

CERICWIN

[ng27868168]

Let me say first of all..., I am not a medical expert, I am a 75 year old 23 year PC survivor having undergone radical surgery, at age 52, followed by radiation a year later, and hormone treatment (orchiectomy) a year later. (hopefully cured)

I am also a facilitator for our local PC Support group. In that capacity I have listened to and observed men who have undergone various options of treatment such as Watchful waiting, Active Surveillance, and just plain "hope it somehow all goes away". I believe, and research shows, age at diagnosis means a lot. The younger your age, usually means a more aggressive disease. Cancer is not like a cold. Very seldom, if ever will it go away on its own. Having stated that, I have heard far too many times from younger men who are diagnosed, saying later; " if I would have known then what I know now, I would have moved more aggressively." Enough said.