"Nobody dies from prostate cancer any more."
That’s how my urologist in Puerto Rico delivered the news that my PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test had gone up significantly in less than a year. That matter-of-fact attitude about the possibility that there might be a cancer growing within my body, told me that I should look for another doctor. Subsequently, found an outstanding specialist in Orlando, Florida, who treated me successfully, but more on him later.
The first urologist had seen it all before, but this was potentially my cancer, in my body and I expected, no demanded, a little more compassion than that glib statement provided, even if it was intended to put my mind at ease.
Besides, it turns out that the statement was just not true. About 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer will have been diagnosed in the United States in 2009, according to the American Cancer Society, and, they estimate that 27,360 of those men will die.
That's no small number, but earlier detection and improved treatment have significantly reduced the number of deaths. The experts measure survivability in five-year increments and the Cancer Society puts the current rate at nearly 100 percent for that period of time.
Still, I am somewhat apprehensive as I approach my third annual examination.The third year is the halfway point in my first five-year survival cycle. Last year, my urologist assured me that my prostate was like that of a new born baby and that I would likely die of other causes. That was then and we'll soon see if the outlook continues to be so favorable.
We'll keep you posted and we'd like to hear your experiences, fears and concerns about prostate cancer for a book project that's in the works.
And, that's that... for now.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Best wishes and congratulations on your upcoming test - I have mine scheduled soon as well, which for me will be year seven. Of course, I'm hoping the PSA will be undetectable.
ReplyDeleteI've just published my experiences with PCa in fictionalized form in the novel "Benediction" (available on amazon) about a middle-aged gay man going through the universal cancer story in what I hope is an entertaining but also informative way, as the narratives about this subject are usually so grim.
Wishing you all the best - Jim