1. < Prostate Cancer

Biden will be here soon: Former President metastatic prostate cancer

Posted by peterj116 @peterj116, 4 days ago

"On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone."
"While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians," the statement continued.

As a non-American watching the last 4 years from afar, I make no comment.

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

peterj116 | @peterj116 | 17 hours ago

What's wrong with testing at any age? I can see "cut you open at 95 years old, just to have a look in case" is stupid... but a blood test? Just do it.
It's starting to sound a lot like "Who cares.... you're old. You're dying soon anyway.".
If a doctor declines to do a simple blood test, time to go doctor-shopping.
You'd do it for a lawyer.
If a lawyer says "Forget it. You're going to jail", wouldn't you try someone else?

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northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | 16 hours ago
In reply to @wdene "Yes so much news coverage with comments that are discouraging for those fighting this disease. After..." + (show)
@wdene

Yes so much news coverage with comments that are discouraging for those fighting this disease. After 10years of PSA testing the count became erratically increasing. 3 biopsies later the Dr used a new test yet to be approved in US but used in Britain and cancer was verified. Removal and local radiation-
16 years later
Bone metastasis. Now on hormone treatment bone treatment Xgeva infusion and Xtandi. First follow-up testing in a couple weeks. Hoping for good result indicating success in this treatment plan. Anyone else using this treatment.

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Yes, I am *so* tired of all the confident ignorance in the media from journalists and social-media types who spent 5 minutes Google-ing "prostate cancer" and think they know all about it now. 😡

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stew80 | @stew80 | 16 hours ago
In reply to @peterj116 "Wow. They're right. I checked a number of NZ urology sites & they all agree. Above..." + (show)
@peterj116

Wow. They're right.

I checked a number of NZ urology sites & they all agree.

Above the age of 75 we do not recommend routine screening as the risks of investigation and treatment outweigh the potential benefits.

Being tested for prostate cancer is your choice. Your decision depends on:
whether you have a family history of prostate cancer in your father or brother (this doubles your risk of prostate cancer).
your age and life expectancy – if you're over 75 years of age, or expect your lifetime to be less than 10 years, you shouldn't be tested for prostate cancer as the harm is higher than the benefit.

There is no strong evidence to suggest that testing men over the age of 70 years reduces
mortality from prostate cancer in this age group. Generally men aged over 70 years, who have a normal-feeling prostate on digital rectal examination (DRE) and who have had ‘normal’ PSA tests in the past, should be advised they are not likely to benefit from any further PSA testing.

Maybe a subsequent biopsy is too invasive a procedure at that age, or recovery is more painful/difficult?
Must be the whole 'do no harm' thing.

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So what do you do when you happen to squeeze in a PSA test at a very healthy 84 (against the screening guidelines) and learning your prostate lesion is Gleason 9?

BTW, I read that the last PSA test Biden had (before this episode) was 2014.

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wooldridgec | @wooldridgec | 15 hours ago
In reply to @wdene "Yes so much news coverage with comments that are discouraging for those fighting this disease. After..." + (show)
@wdene

Yes so much news coverage with comments that are discouraging for those fighting this disease. After 10years of PSA testing the count became erratically increasing. 3 biopsies later the Dr used a new test yet to be approved in US but used in Britain and cancer was verified. Removal and local radiation-
16 years later
Bone metastasis. Now on hormone treatment bone treatment Xgeva infusion and Xtandi. First follow-up testing in a couple weeks. Hoping for good result indicating success in this treatment plan. Anyone else using this treatment.

Jump to this post

I started out with severe bone pain from metastasis found throughout my spine and ribs. Doctors at first thought the pain was due to my Gall Bladder. I had emergency surgery to remove my Gall Bladder. I thought my pain was over. Nope. Pain continued. I had an MRI. It found bone metastases in spine, ribs, femurs, hips etc. PSA was 25 and 28. I recieved 10 radiation cycles to the spine and 5 cycles to the ribs. At the same time, I start on Casodex for a month, PSA dropped very fast. A month later I started Eligard, Nubeqa (Darolutamide) and Zometa infusions. The doctors immediately started me on chemotherapy docetaxel. I completed 10 cycles of chemotherapy. It was my decision to go beyond 6 cycles.
After 10 cycles of chemo my PSA dropped to 0.234. My PSA continued to drop to undetectable and has remained undetectable for almost 3 years now. I have my annual bone and CT scan June 3rd and June 6th along with my Eligard and Xgeva shots. I get Xgeva now because I became allergic to Zometa. I will also get my blood results including my PSA. I hate the anxiety of waiting on the PSA value.

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wdene | @wdene | 22 minutes ago
In reply to @lizziew "My hubby asked to have his PSA checked about three years ago. His doctor said they..." + (show)
@lizziew

My hubby asked to have his PSA checked about three years ago. His doctor said they don’t usually test at his age, which was 69 at the time. Fast forward three years. Hubby is having urinary issues. Go to his PCP, a new doctor, and asked to have his PSA checked. Doctor said they don’t typically test at his age. Symptoms are usually age related. Well, PSA came back elevated. His prostate is huge, with a volume of 156, and MRI, IsoPSA, and PHI all point to PCa.
His biopsy is next month, and will give us a definitive diagnosis.

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Be aware. Three biopsies showed no cancer but symptoms kept escalating. A different method of testing revealed the cancer. Change doctor. Be more proactive.

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