Thousands of men have prostate cancer. Here's a chance to talk with others about your experiences, share your concerns and wisdom, and maybe even learn something you didn't already know.
New and better treatments abound--can cures be far behind?
There seems to be a new med that helps manage prostate cancer introduced every few months. Well, maybe not that often, but there have been a few. That is certainly good news for all of us with incurable prostate cancer. I'm taking one of the newer meds and my PSA has gone down to practically nothing (0.4 actually). That doesn't mean the nasty cancer cells have gone away, but they are growing slower--I may die of extreme old age, yet. There are many who may consider me extremely old, already.
I haven't heard that any of the new 'miracle' treatments are likely to lead to a cure, but the longer we all live (thanks to the new meds), the better the chances that somebody in a dank and gloomy laboratory somewhere in Lower Ebonia will have that 'eureka' breakthrough moment and cancer, like polio, can be wiped off the face of the earth. More or less.
Maybe I'm hopelessly optimistic but I expect a cancer cure in my lifetime. But then I also expected to have thick curly hair, a thin and athletic body, and 20-20 vision throughout my lifetime.
My experience with the latest and greatest prostate cancer clinical trial
When I use the term ‘prostate cancer clinical trial’ you probably immediately have visions of old men taking exotic pills, getting strange injections, donating copious quantities of blood and other fluids, having full body X-rays, and tolerating invasive body probes.
Not so - this one is different.
A group of men with incurable prostate cancer and their wives (who do NOT have prostate cancer) were invited to participate in a six month twice weekly closely monitored strength training class. Including my wife and me, there are 20 in each class and husbands and wives work as a team (what an original concept) doing a series of simple but challenging strength building and stretching exercises. The plan is to get stronger, fitter, and ultimately live longer - maybe even save marriages.
The idea of husband and wife working together (a long shot at best) is supposed to increase the possibility of continuing the exercises when the program is completed.
Of course getting 20 old duffers to do anything as a group and stay focused isn’t easy and the instructors/experimenters have their hands full. It’s a lot like, well, herding cats.
I am a prostate cancer survivor. That's better than NOT being a survivor but not quite as good as not having cancer in the first place.
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003. I've still got it. I had surgery followed by radiation followed by clinical trials followed by hormone therapy.
The whole experience has been educational, interesting, and more than a little traumatic from time to time. I decided to write a book about prostate cancer facts AND my personal experiences. You can find it on amazon.com or at my website (axmaker.com). The title is: REAL MEN GET PROSTATE CANCER TOO.
Real men (and most of us guys think we fit that description) actually do get prostate cancer. A lot of us have and will in the future. And whether it is diagnosed when you’re 49, 63, or 87 there’s a good chance it can be cured or lived with or managed. It works better if we do the right things – whatever those things may be.
What are your experiences with prostate cancer? This blog is open to your experiences, wisdom, victories, and disappointments.
Click on COMMENTS and ask questions, share, and if you happen to have a cure up your sleeve...
