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Confusing Messaging about Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Nov 3 8:02pm | Replies (76)Comment receiving replies
I have been diagnosed with PC. Intermediate with a PSA of 7.4 and 3 cores. I have almost no symptoms and am happy with the way things are. I am 78 and considering either TULSA PRO treatment or do nothing. Doing nothing is a worry because I don't know what the cancer will do as it progresses and the suffering I will encounter. The side effects of fighting the cancer is a real concern. I don't want to live with incontinence or other bad effects of treatment. The dr. told me I have a 100percent chance of living another 5 yrs. if I do nothing. I'd like to live longer because I'm active and healthy. If I was unhealthy, in pain or unable to be mobile or to do the things I like doing, I wouldn't do anything. I want to live long enough that my 4 yr. old grandson will have good memories of me.
Replies to "I have been diagnosed with PC. Intermediate with a PSA of 7.4 and 3 cores. I..."
Hi bobbygene,
I am also 78 and had the robotic, nerve sparing surgery 4 months ago. I wrote a rather lengthy posting several weeks after my surgery in a thread entitled "Is 76 too old for prostate surgery".
Here is the link to my posting. Since then my feelings about my decision haven't changed, my PSA came back nearly undetectable and I have a followup in 2 weeks.
Don't hesitate to ask if there is anything more you want to know. I realize how hard it is to deal with our fears as we wade through the myriad information. Sometimes I felt what I called "analysis paralysis"! Best wishes in whatever you decide, you've come to the right place for good advice!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1075893/
I would encourage you to continue to investigate Tulsa Pro. It is covered by Medicare if done at a hospital like Mayo. My bill for my July Procedure was $6 after Medicare and my supplement insurance. Zero side effects or pain. Full write up of my experience at:
Tulsa Pro Experience, Mayo Clinic MN – July 2024.
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Do you know what your Gleason score is? That tells you how aggressive your cancer is and is a very important number.
Dying from prostate cancer is extremely painful, you don’t want to go there. My father died from it. He had his teeth ground down and crowned without Novocaine, came home for dinner every night had no problem eating. The pain from prostate cancer was unbearable for him.
I am 76 and have had surgery and years later radiation followed by seven years of ADT. I had no cancer symptoms at all for the 14 years I’ve been on treatment. ADT did give me hot flashes and some brain fog, but has allowed me to live for all this time.
For the least amount of disturbance in your life, radiation really works well and seldom causes urinary problems, at least for a few years. See a radiation oncologist to see if you are a good prospect. My brother is your age and had that done last year, and has no problems from it.
Tulsa pro may work for you. There are requirements. It is not covered by insurance and cost about $30,000. SBRT radiation is used commonly it works quite well for people with as few cores as you have cancer in. Cyberknife and Meridian Technology SBRT gives you the lowest chance of having nearby tissue affected. Look into it. They are covered by insurance.
Don’t just let it go you will regret it, you could live well into your 80s if treated.