Connect
← Return to Radical Prostatectomy vs. Radiation therapy?
Discussion
Radical Prostatectomy vs. Radiation therapy?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Apr 21 7:39pm | Replies (52)Comment receiving replies
Hi all, time for a gentle reminder about the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/. Please review.
As someone who manages this patient forum, I completely agree that great information comes from patients/caregivers supporting patients/caregivers as they journey with prostate cancer and navigate their health and care.
However, forums can give an unintended bias. People who do not experience side effects are less likely to post on a forum or once resolved may discontinue participation. We're lucky here in the Prostate Cancer forum that many members stick around to share their tips and recovery stories.
Drawing conclusions and statistics from online forums does not represent a patient population objectively. Forums can however reveal themes that can be used as a starting point to discover research questions that can and should be explored in objective, randomized controlled studies.
All information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.
Replies to "Hi all, time for a gentle reminder about the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/. Please review. As someone..."
Connect
@colleenyoung
Agreed 100 % ! Thanks Colleen for clarifying a fact that forum "population" does not represent real scenarios in general population.
Results are skewed and sometimes even in favorable direction with unusually good results of PC control in some patients. They are source of inspiration and hope for all of us < 3, because they are beating all odds , not because they are a norm.
Forums are fantastic resource for support, comradery, information about dealing with side effects and practical implementation of medical advice given by doctors that is sometime unclear or even not mentioned in post-op or post-treatment instructional documents.
This particular forum has couple of highly educated and highly experienced members who can offer some insight in available options for treatment or medications.
They also know how to navigate healthcare system and how to get help faster and what options out-there are available but it is up to a patient to bring "all that" to his doctor and than discuss all of that and than make a valid decision for HIS particular case. One member once told me that "every PC is a like fingerprint" - NO 2 cases are the same or will have same results no matter what. I always keep that in mind.
All in all - this is amazing place but it can not be used for any "statistical" purpose.