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Just found out I have prostate cancer...

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Oct 6, 2023 | Replies (53)

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@jc76

I agree with harvey44. I too would not wait. But we are all individuals and whether you can deal with anxiety, worry and the risks associated with "wait and see" to the risks of each treatments that are available. For me I did not want to worry but address and deal with the prostrate cancer diagnosis. I could have done wait and see but it was not recommended by the two consultations I had even though I had a Gleason only 1 biopsy that was 3+4 and the others at 3+3. After the biopsies I had a test called Decipher test which came back low risk.

But having said that you will read that 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostrate cancer. And that eventually all will get it if you live long enough. There are histories of those who chose to wait and had excellent long term results and those that waited and PSA rose and had to treat. Early stages are the most easy to treat along with best cure rates and outcomes.

I think multiple consultation with highly recognized medical providers is best recommendation I can give as it is what I did along with extensive research. I had every test available (MRI, biopsies, CT, bone scan, PET scan, Decipher, and another test with a contrast injection I had not heard others have done).

The hormone treatment was recommended at first by first consultation and then changed saying not needed due to Decipher test results and to radiation treatment only. Hormone treatments don't kill the cancer. They only help stop the growth of it as prostrate cancer feeds of testosterone.

I have PTSD anxiety/panic disorder that medication and psychology has made the condition something minor but pops up with stress and worry and cancer diagnosis really affected it. So you can see each individual is different in how they feel and what treatments they chose.

I am 76, have heart failure (diagnosed 23 years ago), Pacemaker/ICD device (last 17 years) but I am an extensive exerciser and do Sprint Triathlons. It is why it is so hard to give advice as everyone is different and how they deal with a cancer diagnosis. Heck when I was going to Mayo Clinic decades ago PSA testing had become "do you want one." Now is back to you need it and now even at an early age.

Treatments have evolved with many new excellent type radiation treatments along with new medications. My advice would be to seek at least two consultations and be frank and honest with the oncologist about your worries, what you are willing to undergo, risks associated with waiting and risk associated with treatments.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

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Replies to "I agree with harvey44. I too would not wait. But we are all individuals and whether..."

What a great post. Insightful for all of us who have PC. I had my surgery RP. Best decision I have made in my 70 years on Earth!!!