Prostate Cancer: A Survivor Dad's Perspective

Prostate cancer is, after lung cancer, the leading cause of death among men.  Over 192,000 new cases will be diagnosed each year and more than 27,000 men will die.  Make sure your Dad or Grandpa is not one of those statistics. 

Although prostate cancer may not be prevented, it can be detected in an early stage and treated successfully.  Many men, however, do not prefer to be checked for the disease.   In fact I know several who generally refuse to even go for regular check ups.  In the case of prostate cancer this can be a disastrous decision. 

Modern methods of detection and treatment mean that many prostate cancers are now found earlier and can be treated more effectively. If you are diagnosed this year, your outlook is likely to be quite good compared to statistics from even 5 years ago. And, the most effective means of identifying early prostate cancer is a rise in psa, prostate specific antigen.  Although some controversy exists about the viability of the psa in diagnosing prostate cancer, it is really very effective in preventing cancer deaths.  The controversy involves the fact that a positive test can result from other than cancer causes and leads to biopsy, a rather unpleasant procedure, that may prove the psa is not cancer related. 

Usually doctors consider a psa reading of 4 or above as a possible indication of cancer.  Some, however, consider 2 as a score that is dangerous.  As someone who had a psa of slightly over 4 at the time of my diagnosis, I would tend to suggest that if one finds an increase from one year to the next, even from near 0 to 2, a follow-up in six months or further investigation would be a great idea and a visit to a Urologist would be wise.  

Prostate cancer moves slowly, and can return even after treatment.  Importantly, most men who are diagnosed early will survive with treatment.  What is important is the early diagnosis.  If you know someone over 50 who has not been screened for prostate cancer, I would suggest that you insist on their visiting a physician.  Don't quit harrassing them until they go.  Their life may depend on it.