prostatediaries

Prostate cancer decision making is a multifaceted process.

The newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient must use all the tools at his disposal to make a "custom made" decision tailored to him. Particulars about his life, family, and biases also weigh heavily in the decision. It is the blending of all these factors which come together with time to arrive at "hopefully" a well thought decision and specific to the patient.

The Partin Table is an invaluable tool for the prostate cancer patient.

The Partin Tables "categorize" the prostate cancer of the male and aids in the decision making process.

In prostate cancer, hormones don't cure. Think oxygen from a fire, but one little ember left.

Hormone therapy in prostate cancer does not cure prostate cancer. It does however, in many patients, beat it back for an unknown lenght of time and to an unknown degree.

You gotta see the Big Picture

When the male is considering his options about treating his prostate cancer…he must view his options in terms of the big picture. For example if the decision is made in favor of salvaging sexual function but not considering the best treatment for curing the disease, then a decision may be made in error.

Myths and the late diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Myths about the benign nature of prostate cancer and the male's unwillingness to have rectal exams creates the perfect storm of late detection. Men will take a myth and use it as a rationalization not to be checked. The thinking goes…if no one dies of prostate cancer why put myself through the degrading business of a rectal exam? Do women think this way for breast exams? Well…that's the problem.

Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics

Be careful using statistics generated by "Epidemiologists" in making your prostate cancer decision. The numbers are based on the "masses" and not on information that is specific to you and potentially make you "let your guard down" and hence a decision made in error. What do you tell the man who is diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease, who had not been deligent about exams because he read that only 1% of people die of prostate cancer in 5 years after the diagnosis?

UK men don't understand prostate cancer…well, US men don't either

Men's lack of knowledge of the prostate, the risk factors, and lack of symptoms mean nothing, often delays the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The focus of the medical community should be directed at awareness in order to prevent late diagnosis because of the male's misconceptions about this disease.

Who are you and why it's important in your decision making process for prostate cancer.

The newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient needs to know a lot about himself and his disease if he is to make a decision that is right and "customized" to him. McHugh's "Who are you" factors begins the process of making the right decision. It is imperative that one evaluated these and understand the ramifications of each before making an informed decision.

Waiting on the results of a prostate biopsy.

Waiting on the results of any lab test that could indicate a cancer is a very difficult time. Thousands of men experience this yearly and sadly 250,000 times a year the urologist enters the room to say, " I am sorry, your prostate biopsy shows cancer." An excerpt from "The Decision" by John McHugh M.D.

Trifecta? Open vs. Robotic prostatectomy

Patients often choose a method of prostatectomy for the wrong reasons. There may not be a nickle worth of difference of the types of prostatectomy at 3 months.