Post by Joseph L. Wilburn, Jr. 33° on Oct 9, 2006 3:56:20 GMT -5
Prostate Cancer
I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR!
In 1999 I went to the doctor for my annual check up because my wife made me, I was diagnose with Prostate Cancer, my PSA was 4.2. Prostate-specific antigen ( PSA ), for short, is a substance produced by the prostate gland. This test measures the amount of PSA in the bloodstream. Men with prostate cancer often have PSA levels higher than four ( 4 ) mine got up to 12. Prostate ultrasound and biopsy both evaluate the abnormal results of a digital rectal exam (DRE) or an elevated prostate-specific antigen PSA test. Prostate ultrasound involves a probe about the size of a finger that is inserted a short distance into the rectum. This probe produces harmless high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear, that bounce off the surface of the prostate. The sound waves are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images of the prostate gland. The probe can provide images at different angles to help your doctor estimate the size of your prostate and detect any abnormal growths. A prostate biopsy uses trans rectal ultrasound imaging to guide several small needles through the rectum wall into areas of the prostate where abnormalities are detected. The needles remove a tiny amount of tissue. Usually six or more biopsies are taken to test various areas of the prostate. The tissue samples are then analyzed in a laboratory. The results will help doctors diagnose disorders and diseases in the prostate. Treatment for prostate cancer can include everything from "watchful waiting" to removal of the entire prostate gland. The route that you and your doctor choose is based on how large your tumor is, whether it has spread, and your personal preferences.
Radiation and Radioactive Seed Implants Chemotherapy Surgery to remove the prostate gland – radical prostatectomy or laparoscopic surgery Hormone treatment to reduce the size of the tumor Surveillance (also called watchful waiting) "Watchful waiting" is recommended for some patients Radioactive seed implants are a form of radiation therapy for prostate cancer so I went with that. Anywhere from 40 to 100 seeds are commonly implanted I had 115 lost 5 . I did good for a year and then my PSA went to 14 the cancer had recurred. If the PSA level indicates the prostate cancer has not been cured or has come back (recurred) after initial treatment, follow-up therapy will depend on where your medical doctors thinks the cancer is and which treatment(s) you have already had. Prostate cancer grows when exposed to the male hormone testosterone and its related hormones, called androgens. Hormone treatment for prostate cancer is used to stop the production of testosterone and all androgens either temporarily or permanently. Hormone treatments can be given in many ways. Injections or pills are one method. I had injections for 2 1/2 years every four month to stop the testicles from producing testosterone. Hormone treatment is primarily used if prostate cancer has spread outside the prostate. It does not cure cancer. The purpose of hormone therapy is first to delay the progression of the cancer, and second, to increase survival. Bone thinning osteoporosis is a side effect of hormone therapy used to treat some prostate cancers. Some hormonal drugs used to treat prostate cancer increase the risk of osteoporosis. Not all men develop osteoporosis as a result of hormone (also called androgen deprivation) therapy. But bone mineral density screenings may be a good idea after hormonal treatments. Once bone is lost, it cannot be completely replaced. Osteoporosis may not be curable, but some approaches may help to slow osteoporosis.
All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer. About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 34 will die of this disease. About 80 percent of men who reach age 80 have prostate cancer. Besides being male, there are other factors, such as age, race, and family history that may contribute to the risk ,
SO PLEASE GET CHECKED MEN, PLEASE!!!!
The digital rectal exam is typically done during a standard physical exam for men. Because the prostate is an internal organ, your doctor cannot look at it directly. But since the prostate lies in front of the rectum, he or she can feel it by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum. There is no evidence proves that prostate cancer can be prevented. However, you may be able to lower your risk. You can detect prostate cancer in its early stages. Men we don't like to go to the doctor for annual check ups but this is why,
I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR TODAY !!!
I am Truly Blessed; So Mote It Be
I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR!
In 1999 I went to the doctor for my annual check up because my wife made me, I was diagnose with Prostate Cancer, my PSA was 4.2. Prostate-specific antigen ( PSA ), for short, is a substance produced by the prostate gland. This test measures the amount of PSA in the bloodstream. Men with prostate cancer often have PSA levels higher than four ( 4 ) mine got up to 12. Prostate ultrasound and biopsy both evaluate the abnormal results of a digital rectal exam (DRE) or an elevated prostate-specific antigen PSA test. Prostate ultrasound involves a probe about the size of a finger that is inserted a short distance into the rectum. This probe produces harmless high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear, that bounce off the surface of the prostate. The sound waves are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images of the prostate gland. The probe can provide images at different angles to help your doctor estimate the size of your prostate and detect any abnormal growths. A prostate biopsy uses trans rectal ultrasound imaging to guide several small needles through the rectum wall into areas of the prostate where abnormalities are detected. The needles remove a tiny amount of tissue. Usually six or more biopsies are taken to test various areas of the prostate. The tissue samples are then analyzed in a laboratory. The results will help doctors diagnose disorders and diseases in the prostate. Treatment for prostate cancer can include everything from "watchful waiting" to removal of the entire prostate gland. The route that you and your doctor choose is based on how large your tumor is, whether it has spread, and your personal preferences.
Radiation and Radioactive Seed Implants Chemotherapy Surgery to remove the prostate gland – radical prostatectomy or laparoscopic surgery Hormone treatment to reduce the size of the tumor Surveillance (also called watchful waiting) "Watchful waiting" is recommended for some patients Radioactive seed implants are a form of radiation therapy for prostate cancer so I went with that. Anywhere from 40 to 100 seeds are commonly implanted I had 115 lost 5 . I did good for a year and then my PSA went to 14 the cancer had recurred. If the PSA level indicates the prostate cancer has not been cured or has come back (recurred) after initial treatment, follow-up therapy will depend on where your medical doctors thinks the cancer is and which treatment(s) you have already had. Prostate cancer grows when exposed to the male hormone testosterone and its related hormones, called androgens. Hormone treatment for prostate cancer is used to stop the production of testosterone and all androgens either temporarily or permanently. Hormone treatments can be given in many ways. Injections or pills are one method. I had injections for 2 1/2 years every four month to stop the testicles from producing testosterone. Hormone treatment is primarily used if prostate cancer has spread outside the prostate. It does not cure cancer. The purpose of hormone therapy is first to delay the progression of the cancer, and second, to increase survival. Bone thinning osteoporosis is a side effect of hormone therapy used to treat some prostate cancers. Some hormonal drugs used to treat prostate cancer increase the risk of osteoporosis. Not all men develop osteoporosis as a result of hormone (also called androgen deprivation) therapy. But bone mineral density screenings may be a good idea after hormonal treatments. Once bone is lost, it cannot be completely replaced. Osteoporosis may not be curable, but some approaches may help to slow osteoporosis.
All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer. About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 34 will die of this disease. About 80 percent of men who reach age 80 have prostate cancer. Besides being male, there are other factors, such as age, race, and family history that may contribute to the risk ,
SO PLEASE GET CHECKED MEN, PLEASE!!!!
The digital rectal exam is typically done during a standard physical exam for men. Because the prostate is an internal organ, your doctor cannot look at it directly. But since the prostate lies in front of the rectum, he or she can feel it by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum. There is no evidence proves that prostate cancer can be prevented. However, you may be able to lower your risk. You can detect prostate cancer in its early stages. Men we don't like to go to the doctor for annual check ups but this is why,
I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR TODAY !!!
I am Truly Blessed; So Mote It Be