Thread: Prostate Cancer

Of course there are natural remedies that work, but unless there have been properly conducted clinical trials, it is hard to be absolutely certain which ones work, which ones are useless and which ones are dangerous.

If you're referring to "Storm" by Tim Minchin then he says:
"“By definition”, I begin
“Alternative Medicine”, I continue
“Has either not been proved to work,
Or been proved not to work.
You know what they call “alternative medicine”
That's been proved to work?
Medicine.”"



But here is not the time, nor the place to be discussing this

I hope your dad is doing well Ralph

Originally Posted by jimr1

Hi Ralph , I know from personal experiance how Cancer effects everyone in a family . Be posotive , advances in Cancer treatment are truely amazing , he'll be ok. The very best wishes your Dad and you family ..

Originally Posted by Didge

Ralph, sorry to diverge from your original thread - its been a year now, how is your old man? My old man had bowel cancer and lasted 8 years but it was very advanced when diagnosed. There's every chance your old man could go on kicking for years to come.
Good health to you and yours Ralph - my thoughts are with you.
regards Gerald

Thanks.
His prostate surgery went well and so far the prognosis is good. Due to related bowel polyps he has to get the 'back end' fixed eventually.
Sadly, when undergoing the surgery for the prostate, the anaesthetist noticed a problem with his heart. Apparently he has a torn mitral valve. Can't be repaired, has to be replaced or lived with. He has been off work on light duties since (hard as he is self employed). The plan was for M&D to sell the business and retire, then have the operation, however a messy and nasty defamation lawsuit, the trial was only two months ago, upped his stress and blood pressure to unacceptable levels and now the operation must occur this year. He won the case after a protracted hung jury trial, but is now waiting for the other party to appeal, so can't have it just yet.

All in all, pretty rough couple of years for him. On a personal note, much of what he has is likely hereditary, so I hope my sister cops it, not me!

Ralph

Do not accept that prostate cancer is the end of the world !!
I had the diagnosis in the year 2000. Just retired two years before and feeling as healthy and happy as can be.

The psa (indicator test) was up to 36. 'Normal' for a 60 y.o. could be expected to be around 4 or less. Too far advanced for removal by surgery so external beam radiation, after a few months of medication, sorted me for over ten years of continued bliss in retirement. The indicator psa test results gradually climbed up to 14 so hormone treatment commenced. After 12 months the psa test showed the cancer slowed back down and I have had a nine months break from the slowing effects of testosterone deprivation (courtesy of the hormone treatment) I'm now a fit and healthy 73 y.o. and apart from managing the problem, life is nearly normal and nothing to complain or get upset about. Maybe I am just lucky but others in my prostate support group have also had good results!

If I may offer advice, please look up the website Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Also get a good specialist to evaluate the status of your dad. Don't be timid about getting second or third opinions. Get educated and follow up information and above all stay calm. Cheers Mac

Originally Posted by Mac Disco 2 1999

Do not accept that prostate cancer is the end of the world !............... Don't be timid about getting second or third opinions. Get educated and follow up information and above all stay calm. Cheers Mac

Agree 100% that's excellent advice
But you know what I find interesting (and I hope it doesn't happen to me) is that the men I know (all in their late 70's or early 80's) who've had their prostate's removed have voiced real concerns about not being able to get it up any more which isn't an issue for blokes still married for the last 45 - 50 years to the same women cos we know they're not getting it any more, so it shouldn't matter. Just interesting that it causes such concern.

... Prepare for a barrage of "Speak for yourself !" comments...

Yeah, I suppose I stuck my chin out there, didn't I? Basing it on my own experiences (sad to say) and I'm no where near that age.

If the surgeon is competent he/she should be able to save the nerves attached to the prostate that help with erections and most men don't become impotent. But if you have Radiation Therapy on the prostate the nerves are destroyed and impotence will follow.
Radiation Therapy should be the last resort as if it don't work then surgeons won't operate on Irradiated prostate if/when it beomes active again, so the 2 options are have it removed or watch, wait and see.
The main thing is get yourself tested early and at least once a year, or if it is in the family at least twice a year, a few people I know who had late diagnosis are in mortal trouble at the moment, so don't put off testing, Regards Frank.