The prostate cancer tests are all in: PSA test, DRE, biopsy, X-ray, bone scan, CT scan, all the data the doctor needs to make his diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, designed to treat the cancer.
The bone scan, CT Scan and X-Ray can determine if it has spread and to what extent. A man with a Gleason of 9, a PSA in double digits and with 12 of 12 biopsy cores containing high grade cancer has a 98 plus chance the cancer has metastasized. I am one of the very few lucky ones: my cancer has a very small chance it spread to the bone (a small area in the leg that will need to explored) and it has not affected major organs. The chance of a five to ten-year survival rate after aggressive treatment is good.
If only I had the PSA test done three years earlier the disease could have been treated much more easily and with more certainty.
It is true only 3% of men will die of prostate cancer, but 28% will get prostate cancer. If it is not detected early it can and will kill you. Why in the world would men not get tested if only for a 3% chance of saving your life? The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test can be part of any blood test and is a normal part of a physical exam or blood panel.
We went to Dr. DeHaan’s offices Wednesday for a full hour consultation on the results of the tests. As mentioned before the Gleason Score (a way to grade the cancer) was very elevated, 9 of a possible 10, making the cancer aggressive. The next question is, is it treatable, can the growth be slowed? That is dependent on how far the cancer has spread outside the prostate to what organs and if it is in the bone.
The radiation and hormone treatments will not be pleasant but you will never hear me complain. The doctor also commented that my overall health played a part; being relatively healthy otherwise was a big check in the plus column and had an impact on the course of treatment chosen.
The outcome of this journey will most likely be positive, but please remember that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. I dodged a very deadly bullet; many will not be so lucky.
Please remember 560 men in Moline, Martin, Hopkins, Dorr and Wayland have undiagnosed prostate cancer growing in them and some will die from it.
The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test saved my life, no denying it. If the cancer had gone untreated for any length of time it would have killed me and I would have never known I had it until it was too late.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your kind words and prayers. Life is a gift and I fully understand that today more than ever.
From time to time I will report to you on the radiation and hormone treatments.
