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PSA numbers: Questions about new treatments
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Apr 1, 2020 | Replies (45)Comment receiving replies
Your description @ronan2011 is so accurate. I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago, Gleason 4+3=7. Age 75. Pretty healthy. Scan shows no cancer outside the prostate. I want to make an evidence-based decision. I am doing research, watched the videos, and have consulted with an esteemed radiation oncologist and an equally esteemed prostate surgeon. They are impressive physicians (and exceptionally patient with my indecision) but even with their input, it isn’t clear to me what to decide. This is clearly one of the most important decisions of my life and it feels like it is harder to decide than it should be. I am normally not indecisive, but one minute I feel like one way is best, only to reverse myself ten minutes later when I read something else about side effects. I keep looking for something that will tip the scale to a choice I can be confident is the best decision in my situation.
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@vernonkent, @ronan2011, Once again I am visiting your section of the community. I monitor this group for my life partner who has lived with this process of deciding and learning for several years. So the question is epistemological. How do you know that you know?
Let me see if this helps. I used to teach a brief course in decision making at the college where I worked. The takeaway is this...there is no way to control the outcome of your decision. As long as you have done all of the necessary research, talked with the right clinicians, and either by yourself or with a therapist explored your lifestyle and quality of life expectations, you are good to go.
You will be making the best decision that you can. Then if you hold up your end of the deal, usually with health and lifestyle changes, you will have done everything in your power to have a good outcome. Believe in yourself, have faith in your knowledge and understanding of the choices.
One cautionary note from reading your post. Not deciding is also a decision.
Be safe and protected. Chris