Men, if you are over 50 have your prostate checked
I mentioned in a reply that Boner posted about exercise that I took my friend who has pancreatic cancer to his first treatment today. Instead of having traditional surgery, they are using a new technique and intrument called Cyberknife to cut out the cancer without ever cutting into his body. ( It kind of reminds me of some of those old Star Trek shows where the doc would just pass something over the body to heal someone). Alas, my friend will still need chemo or radiation therapy.
The other reason I thought of this topic was because of Gene Upshaw's death. He was an all-pro with the Oakland Raiders and was the players' union's president at the time of his death. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Sun 08-17-08 and died on Sat 08-23-08. We'll never know what could have been if he had had early detection.
The other reason I thought of this topic was because of Gene Upshaw's death. He was an all-pro with the Oakland Raiders and was the players' union's president at the time of his death. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Sun 08-17-08 and died on Sat 08-23-08. We'll never know what could have been if he had had early detection.
Good point, Bob ..
The Gamma Knife has saved a lot of cancer victims, since it is able to precisely cut away cancerous tissue in a way and where no "tangible" knife could (or w/o damaging healthy adjacent tissues) .. I heard they have used that technique on Senator Kennedy's brain cancer ..
Time will only tell whether it will work for him or at least prolong his life .. 
btw, as to prostate c., my dad was a naturopath during the latter part of his life, and read up as much as he could on the subject ..
He swears from what he read that taking a daily zinc supplement will greatly reduce one's chances of getting prostate c. This is based in part on the finding that men who die of prostate c. apparently have almost no zinc present in their bodies (or in their prostates, or some such) ..
The Gamma Knife has saved a lot of cancer victims, since it is able to precisely cut away cancerous tissue in a way and where no "tangible" knife could (or w/o damaging healthy adjacent tissues) .. I heard they have used that technique on Senator Kennedy's brain cancer ..
Time will only tell whether it will work for him or at least prolong his life .. btw, as to prostate c., my dad was a naturopath during the latter part of his life, and read up as much as he could on the subject ..
He swears from what he read that taking a daily zinc supplement will greatly reduce one's chances of getting prostate c. This is based in part on the finding that men who die of prostate c. apparently have almost no zinc present in their bodies (or in their prostates, or some such) .. Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "
HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )
I too was amazed how quickly Gene Upshaw passed away from pancreatic cancer as I didn't realized how lethal this form of cancer is. My sister came down with inflamatory breast cancer which is extremely lethal as well. No lumps associated with it so it's difficult to detect and spreads like wildfire.
Great reminder from SJ to get my prostate checked since it's been over a year and I'm over 50.
Boner
Great reminder from SJ to get my prostate checked since it's been over a year and I'm over 50.
Boner
See, I said I don't adapt well to changes in my routine. Yep, even I make mistakes. Thanks for picking that up. I'm concerned about my friend and his protrate cancer. But, what really galls (sp) me is that my wife has extensive health ins and hasn't see a doctor in over 10 years. She's 56 and I've begged her to just get an exam and basic tests. I guess she's afraid that she'll find out that something is wrong with her. Her family has a history with several types of cancer that affect females and I'm concerned that she may die from a cancer that could have been conquered if she had only had an exam. I can't force her to see a doc. So, although I'm addressing men about cancer they can get, you can see that their is an undercurrent of fear that's eating at me.
As one that has experienced prostate cancer, amen.
My cancer was detected early, only because of complications with a very large kidney stone a year and half earlier. The stone resulted in the lose of one of my kidneys. I was just recovering from that horrible experience six months out, when some unusuall symptoms manifested themselves. My PSA number jumped from 2.7 to 3.6 in six months. Not a good thing.
My doctor performed the needed tests and the diagnoses came back positive for cancer. Every little circuit breaker in my brain snapped. I can't even begin to tell what my doctor told me after that, only they would she would be contacting me the next day.
As it turned out, that was the best day of my life. I determined that from that day on that I just don't have time for any more bad days.
I had radiation therapy. Three very long months of treatment every day except weekends and holidays. You don't know fatigue untill you go through that. I would do the same thing again.
My last treatment was two years ago yesterday. My PSA is now 0.565. YAAHOOO!
Thank you Dr. Stout and Dr. Lee!!!!!
I was 56 when this happened. If you are over 50, get it checked. A little blood work is about all it takes. Well, there the rectal digital exam also.......................Get 'er done!
Paul
My cancer was detected early, only because of complications with a very large kidney stone a year and half earlier. The stone resulted in the lose of one of my kidneys. I was just recovering from that horrible experience six months out, when some unusuall symptoms manifested themselves. My PSA number jumped from 2.7 to 3.6 in six months. Not a good thing.
My doctor performed the needed tests and the diagnoses came back positive for cancer. Every little circuit breaker in my brain snapped. I can't even begin to tell what my doctor told me after that, only they would she would be contacting me the next day.
As it turned out, that was the best day of my life. I determined that from that day on that I just don't have time for any more bad days.
I had radiation therapy. Three very long months of treatment every day except weekends and holidays. You don't know fatigue untill you go through that. I would do the same thing again.
My last treatment was two years ago yesterday. My PSA is now 0.565. YAAHOOO!
Thank you Dr. Stout and Dr. Lee!!!!!
I was 56 when this happened. If you are over 50, get it checked. A little blood work is about all it takes. Well, there the rectal digital exam also.......................Get 'er done!
Paul
The Incredble Shrinking Man!
Great story, and glad you came out O.K. in the end (no pun intended), Paul ..
It used to be with all the cutting required for prostate cancer removal, it seems like it almost always resulted in impotency .. I have heard they have a new surgical procedure they can use now, though, where that side-effect can be avoided many times ..
Anyone know anything about it? 
It used to be with all the cutting required for prostate cancer removal, it seems like it almost always resulted in impotency .. I have heard they have a new surgical procedure they can use now, though, where that side-effect can be avoided many times ..
Anyone know anything about it? Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "
HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )
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