Prostate Cancer Support Group Meeting

Colleen,
Can we send a message to you without doing a reply?

I remember some post ago there was a discussion about Medicare Advantage and I had mentioned Mayo Jacksonville puts out a notice each year about Medicare Advantage is not Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans are NOT accepted at Mayo Jacksonville.

I just got this message for upcoming Medicare selection from Mayo Jacksonville. I could copy and post on a discussion if you like as it really explains well along with numbers to call about questions.

Dick Vetter provided me links to two previous meetings and approved of my posting them on the blog (Note: I think I heard him say that previous-meeting recordings are available for [only] 90 days):
"The link for the recordings of the last two meetings:
9/13
https://mc-meet.zoom.us/rec/share/72Q6vNUCFw46q8rMj-yNE1uu0LJevvOG_hQjaI9dssF6wAmLS9pFmgoXQLh-BJHB.BbuR8RK6pwjamPYa
Passcode: ^iz73g+S

8/9
https://mc-meet.zoom.us/rec/share/RTZQQDoyF4HkL83Zac9dgOe3lSkutkl3nCFuwACFmbizGJ2RtazeSIhnoLetpIwO.i4Xi057xxPMWvZny
Passcode: 7z=ThHdC ...."

Yesterday's meeting (10/11) featured a pre-recorded video by Dr. Eugene Kwon on treatment of prostate cancer recurrence. (I don't think there was a presentation by Dr. Ewan Cobran from Mayo Clinic Arizona "on his research to better understand knowledge of genetics by men at risk for prostate cancer," unless I just missed it.)

@jc76, is this the discussion you were looking for?
- Best Medicare Advantage drug plan for Prostate Cancer?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/best-ma-drug-plan-for-pc/

Yes,
I had mentioned on that discussion that Mayo Jacksonville puts out an information letter each year before the open season for Medicare. It list the restrictions Mayo Jacksonville has on non traditional Medicare meaning Medicare Advantage. It is very informative but just for Mayo Jacksonville.

I wanted to know if you thought it was a good idea to post it?

Also, how do we send you a message without having to use reply?

My brother recently notified by his doctor that his psa is 20 which is 5point higher than last year.His doctor highly suspicious of the prostate cancer.my brother is 80 years old and single.He considers his age and if is cancer will go through painful treatment and stay in nursing home for don’t know how long.He decided not to do biopsy and didn’t want to know if it is cancer.Do anyone know this disease’s treatment .is there any possibility that it can be helped by oral medication?and if it is worth the painful process for a 80 years old man.He doesn’t have any symptoms and lives independently.Any suggestions are appreciated.

@jc76, you can send me a private message. Click my username and then click "Send private message".

I'm 82 years old and did an MRI, Biopsy and PET Scan with very minor inconveniences. I'm now being treated for metastatic prostate cancer by two means. They are Camcevi 42 mg subcutaneously every 6 months and Xtandi four 40mg pills taken daily. This is not a cure, but the treatment is very tolerable, and I feel good about my life being prolonged.

liangnil, I am 76. His PSA was way to high. It should have been addressed when it got above 4.

The first step, at least in my case, was a MRI. The MRI will show suspicious areas or not. There is no pain or discomfort from this test. From that test a decision to do a biopsy or not can be made based on MRI results and your brother's wishes.

A urologist can give your brother as well as radiologist/oncologist the available treatments for prostrate cancer. But is usually based on biopsy results. There are hormonal and medication that can slow/stop the growth of prostrate cancer but can have serious side affects. They could be minor or serious depending on his reaction to them.

Is he in a nursing home now? I am not sure who said painful treatments to him. Radiation treatments are pain free. They affect the cells of all prostrate cells and damage all. The regular cells can repair themselves but cancer cells ability to repair is damage so they cannot. This is the treatment via radiation as cancer cells will die off and not grow/repair themselves. There are also other tests like PSMA, bone, etc. that can tell your doctor and brother whether cancer is limited to prostrate or spread. The treatments are very different if spread to outside of prostrate. There is also a test called Decipher that uses the taken biopsies to determine if low risk, intermediate risk, and high risks of metassing outside of prostrate. That too also can determine type of treatments. I had radiation only and had no pain during any procedure and treatments. I did have some reduced urine flow that went away with time. That is why I asked about any symptoms now.

At his age I think no urologist would recommend surgery. That would be the most invasive and painful symptoms recovery. I guess my suggestion (please remember none of us are urologist, radiologist, oncologist so just suggestions from those who have been treated) would be to have a MRI to see. Is your brother in good shape except for this? If so a different outlook.

There is no real time line for life expectancy. He could live another 10 or more years or less. Most urologist say if prostrate cancer is confined to prostrate you will probably die from something else if you are at an advanced age like his. But is his cancer only in his prostrate? That would most likely change that if it has spread.

Just understand that medication and hormone treatments can have some real side affects versus radiation treatments are usually minor. Does your brother have an prostrate symptoms now other than high PSA? I am not sure but maybe reluctant to discuss with you if he does.

The reply by jc76 was excellent . I am 77 will be doing SBRT radiation in 6 weeks. Can't believe his doctor waited this long, with a high PSA. radiation is not normally painful. Best wishes

Thank you very much. Your feedback is very helpful and an informative. I will tell my brother.