I appreciate that you are trying to raise awareness about prostate cancer. Every man's journey through prostate cancer is going to be different. I would refrain from saying that one treatment was unnecesary because sometimes it is appropriate and necessary. Older patients did not benefit from the same medical advances that you have so such statements don't help them. I believe that you have done your research. Every man should. But AFAIK you are not a doctor. But I still appreciate your effort to raise awareness. It is important to make informed decisions with your doctor. BTW I started my journey with Dr. Walsh's "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer."
Thanks Art, appreciate your thoughts and wish you well. As you know and pointed out, there have been medical advances, and I specifically began the two points I raised with, "In 2022, blah blah ..." Active surveillance is now an option for low-risk indolent prostate cancer, when it previously wasn't considered it. And, in 2022, surgery is an option and radiation is an option. Unlike before, neither is considered "necessary" (with few exceptions), and long-term studies now show equal outcomes with both -- when it was previously thought that one was more effective than the other at eradicating cancer. It's now all about what individual choice a person makes, weighing all the positives and negatives of both. And all choices should be respected. Thanks again.
Bravo, Michelangelo for a terrific public service. My father died from an aggressive prostate cancer in 1993, and it drove me to set up a public Prostate Care Program at SUNY Medical Center, where I worked as a hospital administrator. We focused on communities of Color, and families with a history of prostate cancer, since both groups were twice as likely to develop prostate cancer if if went undetected. We waged a widespread media campaign to offer free PSA exams to the public, and saved many lives. I’m sure that’s what your piece will do as well. Thank you.
I agree. The information provided in the article is useful and helpful. My father too, died of a very aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score = 9) in 1997. He was only 58 when he died. When he was going through treatments he participated in a clinical trial that clearly would not benefit him but hopefully would inform the treatment of others diagnosed after him. Given all the new and more effective treatments today, I like to think it did.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Much love to you and your family on this journey. You are so appreciated by me for all that you do. XO from Tucson. Lori
Thank you Michael for sharing this. I also heard of a doctor in Chicago that is addressing the psychological issues specifically of gay men who have had prostate cancer surgery. You might want to reach out to him for your program. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/health/prostate-gay-sex-cancer.html
Michelangelo - Happy New Year (if I can still say that). It has been awhile since I logged into the Report and I am really, really happy to know that everything went well. Please stay safe :)
My prostate history is similar to yours; I will be having SBRT in April.
Thank you for sharing your story, and with such a reassuring tone.
I have never understood the polarized opinions about simply having a PSA done — the oft confusing and alarming responses to the result definitely need more data, more good analysis. But simply having the test, establishing a baseline, seems both logical and smart. My PSA has always been within normal range, but consistently upward trajectory meant I had a biopsy, cancer has been diagnosed (Gleason 7), and I anticipate the peace of mind that will come with treatment.
Michelangelo, your sharing you journey with prostate cancer will save countless lives. Few people are willing to share their own medical journeys. By willing to share yours people will read your story and go to their doctor because they have symptoms that you shared. You also stress the importance of people doing their homework to investigate the most recent recommendations on treatment options. Thanks so much for saving lives.
Thank you John. I felt like it was important to do and am glad if it helps people if I'm able to use my journalistic skills after something like this happens to me and spread the word to others.
While what I am about to say sounds obvious to most with the therapy you have chosen, you must stay vigilant. My father-in-law had the same treatment 20-years ago. He let his guard down because hey, he had the cure and his PSA rose precipitously. That coupled with scar tissue build-up in his urethra resulted in significant issues leading to other more radical treatments. Good luck to you and I wish nothing but the best to you during your recovery.
Absolutely important -- 90% or even 95% is not 100%. You have to monitor yourself always, for the rest of your life. And I've read stories like this -- i'm sorry he had to go through this.
Michelangelo, you did an excellent job describing treatment options. My husband is a medical oncologist and a prostate cancer survivor. He opted for cyber knife treatments 3 years ago and has done great since. I wish you great health going forward!
Christina, that means a lot coming from someone who is so immersed in the issues. And I'm sorry your husband had to deal with this but it's gratifying to know that he would undergo the very treatment his colleagues administer, that he has that much faith in them. And I'm thankful he's doing life-saving work.
Thank you for sharing your journey. As a man with premature BPH who has already had a procedure called TURP to remove some prostate tissue, I am at higher risk than most for developing prostate cancer. We are doing biannual PSA tests. So far, so good.
As someone who loves someone with a prostate, this is such a reassuring article! My husband has had multiple years of high PSAs but with no evidence of cancer - yet. Knowing all of this will make our visits to his urologist much less anxiety inducing. Thank you so much for sharing such important information.
Michaelangelo, thank you for the enlightening information. So many men feel that they are invincible and skip regular checkups. Your journey will help to educate men. Sending white light energy for an excellent outcome!
Michelangelo it is so important for public figures (and role models) like yourself to help increase awareness like this. It can be life-saving information. Bravo!
I appreciate that you are trying to raise awareness about prostate cancer. Every man's journey through prostate cancer is going to be different. I would refrain from saying that one treatment was unnecesary because sometimes it is appropriate and necessary. Older patients did not benefit from the same medical advances that you have so such statements don't help them. I believe that you have done your research. Every man should. But AFAIK you are not a doctor. But I still appreciate your effort to raise awareness. It is important to make informed decisions with your doctor. BTW I started my journey with Dr. Walsh's "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer."
Thanks Art, appreciate your thoughts and wish you well. As you know and pointed out, there have been medical advances, and I specifically began the two points I raised with, "In 2022, blah blah ..." Active surveillance is now an option for low-risk indolent prostate cancer, when it previously wasn't considered it. And, in 2022, surgery is an option and radiation is an option. Unlike before, neither is considered "necessary" (with few exceptions), and long-term studies now show equal outcomes with both -- when it was previously thought that one was more effective than the other at eradicating cancer. It's now all about what individual choice a person makes, weighing all the positives and negatives of both. And all choices should be respected. Thanks again.
Thank you again for this comprehensive and educational review.
You are welcome Frank!
Bravo, Michelangelo for a terrific public service. My father died from an aggressive prostate cancer in 1993, and it drove me to set up a public Prostate Care Program at SUNY Medical Center, where I worked as a hospital administrator. We focused on communities of Color, and families with a history of prostate cancer, since both groups were twice as likely to develop prostate cancer if if went undetected. We waged a widespread media campaign to offer free PSA exams to the public, and saved many lives. I’m sure that’s what your piece will do as well. Thank you.
Thanks for what you did Steve, and I'm sorry about your father. And thanks for your thoughts on my piece.
I agree. The information provided in the article is useful and helpful. My father too, died of a very aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score = 9) in 1997. He was only 58 when he died. When he was going through treatments he participated in a clinical trial that clearly would not benefit him but hopefully would inform the treatment of others diagnosed after him. Given all the new and more effective treatments today, I like to think it did.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Much love to you and your family on this journey. You are so appreciated by me for all that you do. XO from Tucson. Lori
Thank you Michael for sharing this. I also heard of a doctor in Chicago that is addressing the psychological issues specifically of gay men who have had prostate cancer surgery. You might want to reach out to him for your program. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/health/prostate-gay-sex-cancer.html
Michelangelo - Happy New Year (if I can still say that). It has been awhile since I logged into the Report and I am really, really happy to know that everything went well. Please stay safe :)
Thank you Serge! Glad to hear from you!
My prostate history is similar to yours; I will be having SBRT in April.
Thank you for sharing your story, and with such a reassuring tone.
I have never understood the polarized opinions about simply having a PSA done — the oft confusing and alarming responses to the result definitely need more data, more good analysis. But simply having the test, establishing a baseline, seems both logical and smart. My PSA has always been within normal range, but consistently upward trajectory meant I had a biopsy, cancer has been diagnosed (Gleason 7), and I anticipate the peace of mind that will come with treatment.
Good for you Gary, a very good choice and it's good you are taking care of it and have monitored.
Michelangelo, your sharing you journey with prostate cancer will save countless lives. Few people are willing to share their own medical journeys. By willing to share yours people will read your story and go to their doctor because they have symptoms that you shared. You also stress the importance of people doing their homework to investigate the most recent recommendations on treatment options. Thanks so much for saving lives.
Thank you John. I felt like it was important to do and am glad if it helps people if I'm able to use my journalistic skills after something like this happens to me and spread the word to others.
While what I am about to say sounds obvious to most with the therapy you have chosen, you must stay vigilant. My father-in-law had the same treatment 20-years ago. He let his guard down because hey, he had the cure and his PSA rose precipitously. That coupled with scar tissue build-up in his urethra resulted in significant issues leading to other more radical treatments. Good luck to you and I wish nothing but the best to you during your recovery.
Absolutely important -- 90% or even 95% is not 100%. You have to monitor yourself always, for the rest of your life. And I've read stories like this -- i'm sorry he had to go through this.
Michelangelo, you did an excellent job describing treatment options. My husband is a medical oncologist and a prostate cancer survivor. He opted for cyber knife treatments 3 years ago and has done great since. I wish you great health going forward!
Christina, that means a lot coming from someone who is so immersed in the issues. And I'm sorry your husband had to deal with this but it's gratifying to know that he would undergo the very treatment his colleagues administer, that he has that much faith in them. And I'm thankful he's doing life-saving work.
Thank you for sharing your journey. As a man with premature BPH who has already had a procedure called TURP to remove some prostate tissue, I am at higher risk than most for developing prostate cancer. We are doing biannual PSA tests. So far, so good.
As someone who loves someone with a prostate, this is such a reassuring article! My husband has had multiple years of high PSAs but with no evidence of cancer - yet. Knowing all of this will make our visits to his urologist much less anxiety inducing. Thank you so much for sharing such important information.
Thank you Catherine, and per Alan's comment below, always seek out second opinions, as I wrote and I also linked to HealthUnlocked, a great site.
Please consult more than one urologist. Prostate ca is best dealt with early. Check out HealthUnlocked posts for more insights.
Excellent article! Glad you shared all this info. I just encouraged my husband to ask for the blood test at his next appointment with his MD.
Michaelangelo, thank you for the enlightening information. So many men feel that they are invincible and skip regular checkups. Your journey will help to educate men. Sending white light energy for an excellent outcome!
Thank you for sharing all of this with us. As always, we are sending love and positive vibes!
Michelangelo it is so important for public figures (and role models) like yourself to help increase awareness like this. It can be life-saving information. Bravo!