Interesting thoughts.
Five months ago I knew virtually nothing about PCa. Then, like all men in this support group, I heard those words “You have prostate cancer”.
For better or worse, my 45 years as an engineering researcher kicked in and I’ve been busy ever since….
What I learned regarding my 3+4=7 with Low Risk Decipher diagnosis is that it’s probably THE “continental divide” (CD) of PCa.
With my particular diagnosis one can find world renowned PCa experts who will make the pitch for EVERY treatment approach from Active Surveillance to RP with adjuvant radiotherapy and ADT (and every possible treatment variant in between) as the best way to go.
As an engineer, who spent 45 years doing research, my approach, when facing a new challenge, is to FIRST get the 30,000 ft view and then work my way down into the weeds of my SPECIFIC challenge.
IMO tbere are two primary takeaways from this study of >8500 men with localized PCa:
1) the 10+ year survival rate for ALL men diagnosed with low and intermediate risk PCa is between 97-99%, NO MATTER what treatment type or AS decision is immediately made.
2) ALL conventional treatment option have a significant risk of negative side effects, especially ADT.
Therefore, I’ve concluded the scientific evidence proves I have time to SLOW down and enjoy the CD view, in between the time I’m digging around in the weeds studying treatments.
You are entirely correct, “Each individual must make a treatment decision based on their situation.”
So now I’m….as they say…working the details.
BTW: If I had 4+3=7 (your situation) I’d have eliminated the AS option and would be moving faster towards a treatment option.
Thanks for your insights!
Alan
Alan, so glad you are taking the time to research the options and making certain the treatment option you decide on align with your personal life expectations. For me, I am probably more biased toward immediate action. I did quite a bit of research, including talking to acquaintances, friends, and extended family members, etc... about their experiences with PC. Also, I had an uncle that died from what I thought was bone cancer in his mid-60s. From talking with his daughters, it turns out that he died from prostate cancer that he had not addressed early enough, and metastasized to his bones. Just one example, but definitely one that made a big impact on my decision to go with a radical prostatectomy and get the known cancer out of my body.
Good luck with your decision,
Jim