by Robert M. Traxler

Prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer for men; if discovered after it has metastasized outside the prostate to other organs or bones, it kills 73% of men effected.

Let that sink in for few moments… if discovered in its early stages, 95% of men survive 15 years or more. The symptoms of prostate cancer that would drive most men to see the doctor only appear when the cancer is dangerously advanced: extreme pain in the upper back and legs, blood in urine or semen.

Many symptoms of the early cancer can be rationalized as old age setting in; problems with urination or mild erectile dysfunction, and it just may be old age. The best way to detect this cancer in the early stages is with a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, a digital recital exam and, if necessary, a biopsy. None are perfect, but they can discover 80% plus of early cancers a whole lot better than nothing.

African American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer should be a good bit more concerned. All men can get cancer of the prostate, men of all ages, but the largest grouping are men between 50 and 70.

In the first column on this subject I used the figure 560 men in Martin, Hopkins, Moline, Wayland and Dorr may have a cancer growing in their prostates and do not know it. That figure is in reality low, but I want to be extremely careful to be accurate in everything said in this series of columns. The goal is to educate the men and families in our area, not try to scare them with exaggerations and false or questionable data.

A bit of a recap. I had a physical exam that found a very elevated PSA score, went to a urologist, Dr. Alexander DeHann, a great guy and fine physician who did an exam and recommended we go straight to a biopsy. I had the biopsy yesterday; it was an outpatient procedure done in a facility in downtown Grand Rapids, and it was not one of the most pleasant things I’ve ever done. Considering it is the best way to find cancer, and if found to grade just what type of cancer it is, the discomfort was fine with me.

The entire process took less than an hour, with the actual procedure taking less than 15 minutes. The probe being inserted hurt for a few seconds, I will not lie to you, and the shot to numb the prostate hurt as much as any shot, but the rest of the process was fast and completely painless. A few seconds of pain and up to 15 or more years of life, I will take life every time.

The biopsy tissues will be used by a pathologist to grade the cancer if present, and help the doctors to map out treatment options, and possibly save my life, so I will gladly put up with a bit of discomfort. To be honest I have had dental procedures that were far worse.

The pathologist’s report will take a week to process the tissue, and Dr. DeHann will call with the results.

Please think about that again: 560 men in Hopkins, Moline, Martin, Dorr and Wayland may have prostate cancer and don’t know it. Martin, one of the smallest of the 5 communities serviced by this newspaper, has approximately 13 men who are unaware they have prostate cancer, Hopkins 20, Wayland City and Township 258, Dorr 264, Moline nearly 6.

Ms. Pat Brewer in a comment to the first column made a sound observation; women need to involve themselves in the process to look after the men in their lives, good advice indeed, many thanks to her. About thanking good folks, Ranger Rick and David Young earned my thanks and respect for their friendship and counsel during this voyage.

Next time the results of the biopsy, and if cancer is found, the treatment options.