First Appointment at Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Do you mind if I ask why you finally chose surgery over radiation and hormone treatment? If you are uncomfortable sharing I completely understand. Thank you again for being willing to share your experience. Are you happy with Mayo in Arizona?

I also live in Oregon. After a DRE, PSA test and MRI I switched to Mayo Az because of the time between the MRI and when the biopsy was scheduled at OHSU. Could not be happier about the care at Mayo. Will have the biopsy the first week in April. My experience was the reverse of yours. First appointment at Mayo was with a Radiation Oncology but was transferred to Urology for the biopsy. Who knows?

I am fortunate that I have a very good friend who lives in Tempe so I can stay with him.

You are from our neck of the woods! Amazing! Our appt with Mayo AZ is on the 19th via zoom. We are very anxious to hear what Mayo has to say. We called the Radiology Oncologist (2nd opinion - he's in California - long story) to ask about the Decipher test and they are getting that ordered. If we end up at Mayo we will have to try and meet up. Who knows, we may run into each other anyway. Good luck to you and any advice or experience you can share with us would be greatly appreciated!

Last appointment is on April 8th to discuss biopsy results. Will fly back to Eugene on the 10th if no further appointments within a week. SWA is inexpensive and convenient.

I will definitely share my experiences. Also, if you do not know about the book Walsh et al. "Surviving Prostate Cancer" I highly recommend it.

I live in Oregon. I am entering year 4 of stage 4 prostate cancer. Interesting thing happened during my second opinion. My second opinion oncologist was wonderful. I learned lots, and very glad I did it. Based on my needs she recommended OHSU. Why? She is an oncologist in the prostate cancer loop, knows the latest and greatest innovations and is well known in our Oregon prostate cancer community. She recommended OHSU. Why? Her dad is my age with stage 4 prostate cancer and she wanted the best for him, so that where he goes. Based on her recommendation for her dad I changed to OHSU. The place gives me hope. At Stage 4, in the absence of cure, hope helps, hope helps a lot.

@themurfs. you are in good hands at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

For others reading this discussion, I want to clarify that Mayo Clinic's comprehensive cancer care is available at all 3 campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota.

"Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets the strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, which recognize scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment." Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20353097

Radiation treatment is available at all 3 campuses. Proton beam therapy is currently available at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and Minnesota. The Florida proton beam facility will open in 2026.

As you prepare for your first appointment, you might appreciate this video with Dr. Carlos Vargas, a Mayo Clinic radiation oncologist, who encourages regular screening and talks more about radiation treatment for both early and metastatic prostate cancer.

We are very fortunate to live in Arizona and I had my Mayo meeting with urologist in late January of 2023 at the North Phoenix campus. I met with the urologist and due to my circumstances and Gleason score of 8, which was adjusted to 7 the doctor recommended the RP surgery. Prior to the surgery I had to get a MRI and other tests. Urologist also stated that I may have to under go radiation afterwards.
Luckily, my PSA levels have been undetectable since my surgery a year ago. And I had no need to consult with a radiation oncologist.
Your situation is obviously different and what appointments you require may be different. The urology department is at the North Phoenix campus. I believe this is the main campus. There is a Marriott Residence Inn next door and it is also close to shopping and restaurants.
We have been very fortunate to receive care from the Mayo Clinic and very impressed with the facility and everyone working there. Good luck!

You are so fortunate that they are seeing your husband. I made repeated attempts to make an appointment but was denied by a nurse named "Kathy" in spite of the fact that I have advanced prostate cancer and have undergone surgery, radiation and ADT.
Apparently I don't meet their criteria to be seen.

We are very fortunate. We didn't have any issues at all getting an appointment and the first one was even via zoom. Our second appt we had to travel to Mayo for. Couple days but it was an easy trip. Now my husband is schedule for a RARP on June 5th. We've had a very good experience with MAYO so far and feel we are in good hands. Did they explain why you didn't meet their criteria?

Colleen available to whom ? Any idea why a patient would be denied care. Are there some insurance carriers that are unacceptible. I've heard of some with Medicare Advantage Plans having trouble with coverage.