Michelangelo, thank you for getting this information out there. I did not heed early detection opportunities so by the time I was diagnosed it was time for more radical procedures (prostate removal). As a self-employed small business owner I had just signed up for an insurance plan on the new-at-the-time "Obamacare" marketplace when I was diagnosed--I shudder to think what would have happened had I not had this access to care. Please keep up the advocacy for healthcare for all--I know I will!
Jim, I am glad you are well and so glad you had insurance. It's so important that people get informed -- and that we get everyone access to healthcare.
Congratulations Michelangelo! Very happy to hear your good news. Thank you for sharing your experience so others can learn from it. I have listened to you every day since 2005. I have learned so much from you. Thanks for your all your work.
Outstanding news! Michelangelo, thank you, thank you thank you for sharing your story! Most people keep information about their health to themselves. You willingness to be open about you bout with cancer will save countless lives. You will not be able to accurately quantify the impact. Just know that you have made a huge impact.
I recall your insurance company denied the MRI and you had to ungergo a biopsy.
This is the kind of crap I deal with as a health care provider on a daily basis. Fighting with insurances.
Interestingly, if you had Medicare or Medicaid there would have been no questions asked.
Another good reason to point out that Medicare Advantage plans are another insurance company SCAM and millions of seniors are getting duped into signing up for these plans that are damaging Medicare and denying people care. They are great until you get sick!
Very interesting about the Medicare. I have to say my insurance did cover the treatment and I had little out of pocket. But yes, would not pay for the MRI. In may case I would have had to get the biopsy anyway. So it did work out. But for others, it would be unnecessary
Thanks for the update, and great news for you. 11 years ago I had a rising PSA (went above 4 from 2.8 over a 4 year period) that led to a biopsy that led to a diagnosis of cancer. The biopsy found one, and after a lot of research I opted for Proton Beam Radiation, and I'm now a member of "The Brotherhood of the Balloon". I am cancer free, dismissed by my oncologist as well as my urologist, so, I'm with you - let's talk about this sort of thing with other men and the women who care about us. PSA testing still important. So is the research on newer tests that can predict which cancers might turn aggressive. All best to you.
I wish to thank you for sharing your personal health journey with all of us who have come to love, respect and trust you. So grateful that your journey is positive and will continue to be so for all of your years to come! My husband, a very healthy daily runner in his mid-60’s and who receives annual wellness visits along with PSA screenings, just found that his level went from .08 to 2.7 in this past year and will now take the 4Kscore bloodtest to determine if a biopsy or further screening will be necessary. During the waiting period, we are comforted by his testing diligence but also by your honest and compelling personal story!! Thank you for your show, your ability to cut through the baloney and now for your empathy and compassion! You are doing all of us enormous good in so many ways! Btw, I am one who wrote in awhile back who looks forward to listening to your daily shows as she drives around this great country with her husband looking for adventures!! Best to you!! Corinne❤️
Thank you Corinne for the nice comments about my work. I'm glad to hear your husband is both very healthy and diligent in getting screened. As I have written, there are many reasons why PSA rises, so yes, it's a waiting game. You are doing all the right things. Again, thanks for the comments on the show, and best of luck to you and and your husband.
Thank you for sharing that update with us Michelangelo, and for continuing to spread the word about prostate cancer. It's so important that people understand it's treatable, especially if caught early. Wishing you continued wellness! 🙏🏾✊🏾💖
Michelangelo, thank you for sharing your experience. I too was just diagnosed with prostrate cancer after a biopsy. Low score-6 in all four sections where it was detected. I am 54 and my physician at Piedmont hospital in Atlanta said he does not recommend radiation therapy for someone as “young” as me. After reading your experience it has prompted me to do more diligence about radiation therapy. Thank you for writing about this.
PC, if you clicked through to my previous pieces you will see that for a Gleason 6 active surveillance is now the standard. No need for any treatment beyond that, and it may never advance. If it does you get treatment. I certainly hope he wasn't recommending surgery, as you don't need to do that and when and if you do seek further treatment, yes, radiation has equal or better outcomes to surgery, particularly this early on.
Yes I saw that. My oncologist is recommending I get my prostate removed saying I’m too young for radiation therapy. I am seeking multiple opinions. Thank you for providing me with this perspective.
That is a common, and I think a wrong and biased claim, often by surgeons. See a radiation oncologist. I've done a lot of reading on this, and knew it already, but my radiation oncologist literally just told me it when I saw him: Surgeons will tell young guys you're too young for radiation and that you'll "bounce back" easier from surgery because you're young. They don't tell you the "bounce back" means months of erectile dysfunction and incontinence, which often recovers but sometimes doesn't.
Their claim is that radiation while younger will expose you to the possibility of distant cancers from the radiation. But this is another dubious claim and the risks are very low. You should also go on HealthUnlocked in the forums there. There's a great patient advocate there, Tall_Allen, and he has all the studies, all the data and offers informed perspectives.
Again, I believe you should think about active surveillance and get other opinions. There is no need for surgery with a GS 6, and you may never need an other treatment. Most cancers centers of excellence have active surveillance programs, where you're monitored carefully, working with the docs. And the moment they see something change then you think about further treatment.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this new test - miR Scientific Sentinel™ Prostate Test. In the November 2021 issue of the Brotherhood of the Balloon newsletter, they write: "[this new test]accurately detects, classifies and monitors prostate cancer at the molecular level with high sensitivity and specificity. Using molecules derived from urine, scientists can classify patients into four possible groups: no molecular evidence of prostate cancer; low-risk; intermediate-risk; or high-risk prostate cancer". From what I read here - https://www.urologytimes.com/view/fda-grants-breakthrough-designation-to-urine-based-liquid-biopsy-for-prostate-cancer - the FDA granted "break through device" status for this test in October. Being able to know where you are on the risk scale is a real game changer.
Wonderful news Mike. You’ve done a great job educating both men and women on this issue. Thanks for being so open about this. We need you—our collective counselor!
And thank you for the PSA: I reminded my doctor it had been a while since my PSA test, and insisted he add it to my panel of tests. He did, and my results were excellent. I've always worried about my long-term effects of being on the testosterone patch in the early part of this century. Because that patch Rx precedes my current doctor (and his predecessor and his predecessor), there's little institutional memory except my own. Thanks for reminding me to push him on this.
I'm so glad it inspired you -- and that you're okay! And good news -- after years of thinking increased testosterone levels affected prostate cancer it's now been disproved. Lowering levels, through hormone therapy, can slow down aggressive prostate cancer. But raising it does nothing. An oncologist describe it like this: think of a plant in a well-drained pot or yard, and water as testosterone. Too much water won't cause the plant to grow any more than it would -- it just drains out. But too little will shrink/kill the plant.
Mazel Tov Michelangelo, your future is so bright you need a new pair of sunglasses😎
Wonderful news Michelangelo! And bravo for explaining why the PSA is so important
I’m so grateful you are ok and the outlook looks so promising for the future for you.
Michelangelo, thank you for getting this information out there. I did not heed early detection opportunities so by the time I was diagnosed it was time for more radical procedures (prostate removal). As a self-employed small business owner I had just signed up for an insurance plan on the new-at-the-time "Obamacare" marketplace when I was diagnosed--I shudder to think what would have happened had I not had this access to care. Please keep up the advocacy for healthcare for all--I know I will!
Jim, I am glad you are well and so glad you had insurance. It's so important that people get informed -- and that we get everyone access to healthcare.
Congratulations Michelangelo! Very happy to hear your good news. Thank you for sharing your experience so others can learn from it. I have listened to you every day since 2005. I have learned so much from you. Thanks for your all your work.
Outstanding news! Michelangelo, thank you, thank you thank you for sharing your story! Most people keep information about their health to themselves. You willingness to be open about you bout with cancer will save countless lives. You will not be able to accurately quantify the impact. Just know that you have made a huge impact.
Glad to hear all is going well.
I recall your insurance company denied the MRI and you had to ungergo a biopsy.
This is the kind of crap I deal with as a health care provider on a daily basis. Fighting with insurances.
Interestingly, if you had Medicare or Medicaid there would have been no questions asked.
Another good reason to point out that Medicare Advantage plans are another insurance company SCAM and millions of seniors are getting duped into signing up for these plans that are damaging Medicare and denying people care. They are great until you get sick!
Again, sounds like all greatnews for you!
Very interesting about the Medicare. I have to say my insurance did cover the treatment and I had little out of pocket. But yes, would not pay for the MRI. In may case I would have had to get the biopsy anyway. So it did work out. But for others, it would be unnecessary
I went on regular Medicare with a Gap for this very reason, Advantage can be a total rip off.
Thanks for the update, and great news for you. 11 years ago I had a rising PSA (went above 4 from 2.8 over a 4 year period) that led to a biopsy that led to a diagnosis of cancer. The biopsy found one, and after a lot of research I opted for Proton Beam Radiation, and I'm now a member of "The Brotherhood of the Balloon". I am cancer free, dismissed by my oncologist as well as my urologist, so, I'm with you - let's talk about this sort of thing with other men and the women who care about us. PSA testing still important. So is the research on newer tests that can predict which cancers might turn aggressive. All best to you.
Happy to hear of your progress Andy, and to learn that you did the research and found what was right for you. Thanks so much for the well wishes.
So glad to hear this!!
I wish to thank you for sharing your personal health journey with all of us who have come to love, respect and trust you. So grateful that your journey is positive and will continue to be so for all of your years to come! My husband, a very healthy daily runner in his mid-60’s and who receives annual wellness visits along with PSA screenings, just found that his level went from .08 to 2.7 in this past year and will now take the 4Kscore bloodtest to determine if a biopsy or further screening will be necessary. During the waiting period, we are comforted by his testing diligence but also by your honest and compelling personal story!! Thank you for your show, your ability to cut through the baloney and now for your empathy and compassion! You are doing all of us enormous good in so many ways! Btw, I am one who wrote in awhile back who looks forward to listening to your daily shows as she drives around this great country with her husband looking for adventures!! Best to you!! Corinne❤️
Thank you Corinne for the nice comments about my work. I'm glad to hear your husband is both very healthy and diligent in getting screened. As I have written, there are many reasons why PSA rises, so yes, it's a waiting game. You are doing all the right things. Again, thanks for the comments on the show, and best of luck to you and and your husband.
Thank you for sharing that update with us Michelangelo, and for continuing to spread the word about prostate cancer. It's so important that people understand it's treatable, especially if caught early. Wishing you continued wellness! 🙏🏾✊🏾💖
CONGRATS!
Michelangelo, thank you for sharing your experience. I too was just diagnosed with prostrate cancer after a biopsy. Low score-6 in all four sections where it was detected. I am 54 and my physician at Piedmont hospital in Atlanta said he does not recommend radiation therapy for someone as “young” as me. After reading your experience it has prompted me to do more diligence about radiation therapy. Thank you for writing about this.
PC, if you clicked through to my previous pieces you will see that for a Gleason 6 active surveillance is now the standard. No need for any treatment beyond that, and it may never advance. If it does you get treatment. I certainly hope he wasn't recommending surgery, as you don't need to do that and when and if you do seek further treatment, yes, radiation has equal or better outcomes to surgery, particularly this early on.
Yes I saw that. My oncologist is recommending I get my prostate removed saying I’m too young for radiation therapy. I am seeking multiple opinions. Thank you for providing me with this perspective.
That is a common, and I think a wrong and biased claim, often by surgeons. See a radiation oncologist. I've done a lot of reading on this, and knew it already, but my radiation oncologist literally just told me it when I saw him: Surgeons will tell young guys you're too young for radiation and that you'll "bounce back" easier from surgery because you're young. They don't tell you the "bounce back" means months of erectile dysfunction and incontinence, which often recovers but sometimes doesn't.
Their claim is that radiation while younger will expose you to the possibility of distant cancers from the radiation. But this is another dubious claim and the risks are very low. You should also go on HealthUnlocked in the forums there. There's a great patient advocate there, Tall_Allen, and he has all the studies, all the data and offers informed perspectives.
Again, I believe you should think about active surveillance and get other opinions. There is no need for surgery with a GS 6, and you may never need an other treatment. Most cancers centers of excellence have active surveillance programs, where you're monitored carefully, working with the docs. And the moment they see something change then you think about further treatment.
Good luck.
I really appreciate your feedback.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this new test - miR Scientific Sentinel™ Prostate Test. In the November 2021 issue of the Brotherhood of the Balloon newsletter, they write: "[this new test]accurately detects, classifies and monitors prostate cancer at the molecular level with high sensitivity and specificity. Using molecules derived from urine, scientists can classify patients into four possible groups: no molecular evidence of prostate cancer; low-risk; intermediate-risk; or high-risk prostate cancer". From what I read here - https://www.urologytimes.com/view/fda-grants-breakthrough-designation-to-urine-based-liquid-biopsy-for-prostate-cancer - the FDA granted "break through device" status for this test in October. Being able to know where you are on the risk scale is a real game changer.
Wonderful news Mike. You’ve done a great job educating both men and women on this issue. Thanks for being so open about this. We need you—our collective counselor!
So glad you are well. It is so important that we get Health care for all. There is no excuse for not passing it. Carole N
Wonderful news.
And thank you for the PSA: I reminded my doctor it had been a while since my PSA test, and insisted he add it to my panel of tests. He did, and my results were excellent. I've always worried about my long-term effects of being on the testosterone patch in the early part of this century. Because that patch Rx precedes my current doctor (and his predecessor and his predecessor), there's little institutional memory except my own. Thanks for reminding me to push him on this.
Good luck, sir.
I'm so glad it inspired you -- and that you're okay! And good news -- after years of thinking increased testosterone levels affected prostate cancer it's now been disproved. Lowering levels, through hormone therapy, can slow down aggressive prostate cancer. But raising it does nothing. An oncologist describe it like this: think of a plant in a well-drained pot or yard, and water as testosterone. Too much water won't cause the plant to grow any more than it would -- it just drains out. But too little will shrink/kill the plant.