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Moderator

Living with Prostate Cancer: Meet others & introduce yourself

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Mar 19, 2019

Welcome to the Prostate Cancer group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet others living with prostate cancer or caring for someone with prostate cancer. Let's learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I'm Colleen, and I'm the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you'll to be greeted by fellow members and volunteer patient Mentors, when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

Follow the group. Browse the topics or start a new one.

Let's start with introductions. When were you diagnosed with prostate cancer? What treatments did you have? Tips to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

alanine | @alanine | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @fwintracy "Hello, alanine. I too was diagnosed w Stage 1 / Gleason 6 PCa earlier this year..." + (show)
@fwintracy

Hello, alanine. I too was diagnosed w Stage 1 / Gleason 6 PCa earlier this year at the age of 66. After the initial fears, etc. I’ve settled into reading all I can and talking with those walking the same path ahead of us while I await my MRI. I expect to have Active Surveillance recommended as well. Initially I was of a much more aggressive posture but have learned so much since that is softening my position in that regard.

This is a great spot for research. For example, Mayo has this article re: Pomegranate juice…. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/expert-answers/pomegranate-juice/faq-20058204

Other sources I’ve found helpful include PCF.org and the book Surviving Prostate Cancer by Patrick Walsh as mentioned by an earlier poster. There is an abundance of information but you do have to actively research.

As to the alcohol question, I have maybe 10 drinks a week with rarely more than 2 a day. That said, I’ve found little data on alcohol consumption but will watch for better information from others.

I wish you the best of luck while confronting your new reality. Lots of good research is taking place and, with a bit of luck, we can all weather this proverbial bump in the road and enjoy our lives with a bit of modification.

Jump to this post

Thank you Fwintracy for replying, it just seems every person I speak to with prostate cancer drank at least a moderate amount of alcohol. Anyways I’ll read the above book and check the website let’s hope a new treatment comes along. Keep in touch

REPLY
mikewo | @mikewo | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @fwintracy "Hello, alanine. I too was diagnosed w Stage 1 / Gleason 6 PCa earlier this year..." + (show)
@fwintracy

Hello, alanine. I too was diagnosed w Stage 1 / Gleason 6 PCa earlier this year at the age of 66. After the initial fears, etc. I’ve settled into reading all I can and talking with those walking the same path ahead of us while I await my MRI. I expect to have Active Surveillance recommended as well. Initially I was of a much more aggressive posture but have learned so much since that is softening my position in that regard.

This is a great spot for research. For example, Mayo has this article re: Pomegranate juice…. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/expert-answers/pomegranate-juice/faq-20058204

Other sources I’ve found helpful include PCF.org and the book Surviving Prostate Cancer by Patrick Walsh as mentioned by an earlier poster. There is an abundance of information but you do have to actively research.

As to the alcohol question, I have maybe 10 drinks a week with rarely more than 2 a day. That said, I’ve found little data on alcohol consumption but will watch for better information from others.

I wish you the best of luck while confronting your new reality. Lots of good research is taking place and, with a bit of luck, we can all weather this proverbial bump in the road and enjoy our lives with a bit of modification.

Jump to this post

I have one or two drinks a week and still got PC. How about having a vasectomy? Does that contribute to PC? I was told there was no link but here I am.

REPLY
2 replies
Tracy | @fwintracy | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @mikewo "I have one or two drinks a week and still got PC. How about having a..." + (show)
@mikewo

I have one or two drinks a week and still got PC. How about having a vasectomy? Does that contribute to PC? I was told there was no link but here I am.

Jump to this post

I too had a vasectomy about 30 yrs ago. I’ve not read anything indicating a verifiable connection although I understand that’s still being studied.

There’s a good bit of discussion about what causes (they think) PCa in Patrick Walsh’s book as I recall. Spoiler alert….there hasn’t been an abundance of success in determining what triggers our cells to go cancerous on the prostate. I honestly didn’t read that chapter too carefully beyond that take as my focus is forward.

Good luck to you all!

REPLY
Tracy | @fwintracy | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @mikewo "I have one or two drinks a week and still got PC. How about having a..." + (show)
@mikewo

I have one or two drinks a week and still got PC. How about having a vasectomy? Does that contribute to PC? I was told there was no link but here I am.

Jump to this post

Just found this…
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31119294/

REPLY
southgeorgia | @southgeorgia | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @alanine "Hello just recently diagnosed with stage 1 Gleason score 6. Doctors recommended active surveillance. I am..." + (show)
@alanine

Hello just recently diagnosed with stage 1 Gleason score 6. Doctors recommended active surveillance. I am wondering the association of alcohol and prostate cancer. Seems like everyone I speak to that has prostate cancer drank at least a moderate amount of alcohol. Any thoughts? Also Mayo recommended pomegranate juice. Any thought on diet and exercise?

Jump to this post

Hi, Alanine - I am 61, just had a biopsy resulting in a Gleason of 3/3. I was thinking removal, but have been recommended for active surveillance and to schedule an MRI for July. In regard to the alcohol question, I do not drink. But, I could very well just be an exception. I plan to look into the pomegranate juice - thanks for the tip.

REPLY
whudup1 | @whudup1 | Apr 23, 2023
In reply to @alanine "Hello just recently diagnosed with stage 1 Gleason score 6. Doctors recommended active surveillance. I am..." + (show)
@alanine

Hello just recently diagnosed with stage 1 Gleason score 6. Doctors recommended active surveillance. I am wondering the association of alcohol and prostate cancer. Seems like everyone I speak to that has prostate cancer drank at least a moderate amount of alcohol. Any thoughts? Also Mayo recommended pomegranate juice. Any thought on diet and exercise?

Jump to this post

But look at all the Moderate to Heavy alcohol drinkers that don’t have it
I don’t feel any correlation
Non-Exercise and eating out all the time prolly is more of a issue

REPLY
1 reply
alanine | @alanine | Apr 23, 2023
In reply to @whudup1 "But look at all the Moderate to Heavy alcohol drinkers that don’t have it I don’t..." + (show)
@whudup1

But look at all the Moderate to Heavy alcohol drinkers that don’t have it
I don’t feel any correlation
Non-Exercise and eating out all the time prolly is more of a issue

Jump to this post

I think for me moderate alcohol and a lot of long distance bike riding ignited prostatitis which in turned lead to cancer. Must be a correlation between prostatitis and cancer? I am a fairly healthy eater and don’t live in the USA. I do think you are correct that most food in restaurants in the USA is poison. Why else do they predict that 60% of adults will have tule two diabetes by 2050. These health agencies like the FDA or a joke.

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whudup1 | @whudup1 | Apr 23, 2023

Theirs is No direct evidence been confirmed!!!

REPLY
imworried64 | @imworried64 | Apr 28, 2023

Hello ImWorried64 here.

This is so hard for me. 2 yrs ago I started having problems urinating, not being able to hold my bladder,
I mentioned this to my primary care Dr. He said my prostrate was huge. Prescribed some meds and I was off . The worked almost a year later after being in a accident the EMTs confirmed my identity by asking if I had prostrate cancer . I was in shock.i gave up on life and was willing to accept my date.
I had a change of mind. I'm a grandfather now. I ask this where do I begin. I fear I'm not to late.

REPLY
1 reply
bens1 | @bens1 | Apr 29, 2023
In reply to @imworried64 "Hello ImWorried64 here. This is so hard for me. 2 yrs ago I started having problems..." + (show)
@imworried64

Hello ImWorried64 here.

This is so hard for me. 2 yrs ago I started having problems urinating, not being able to hold my bladder,
I mentioned this to my primary care Dr. He said my prostrate was huge. Prescribed some meds and I was off . The worked almost a year later after being in a accident the EMTs confirmed my identity by asking if I had prostrate cancer . I was in shock.i gave up on life and was willing to accept my date.
I had a change of mind. I'm a grandfather now. I ask this where do I begin. I fear I'm not to late.

Jump to this post

imworried64: It is a shock and once you grieve a bit, then you can work on your solutions.

They tried meds for an infection for me first but that did not work. PSA 20.2.
Your blood test for your PSA level is an important step. Then, your Urologist may want to do a prostate MRI. Then perhaps a biopsy (fusion biopsy would be my choice).

Here is a list of items to think about:
Nccn.org
Many doctors follow their guidelines, and it is there for doctors and patients

Decipherbio.com
If you have a biopsy, they take a slice of the biopsy which helps evaluate aggressiveness and modes of treatments

Viewray.com
MRI/Radiation machine combination unit. Tight restrictions on healthy tissue exposure
Mevian.com

Proton therapy radiation machine
Globalroboticsinsititute.com

A doctor I looked into when I was considering prostate removal in Celebration Fl.
PCRI.org
The Prostate Cancer Research Institute helps men and caregivers research their prostate cancer treatment options

This stuff can seem overwhelming. There are grey areas. Hang in there. Take one step at a time and always get back up opinions from your doctors. You are part of the decision making team. Work with them so you end up with the best quality of life you can get.

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