crazy?

 ive been diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer. im 64 and have chosen to let the cancer run its course. am i crazy? 

 

What are the characterisitcs of your cancer -- psa at diagnosis, velocity prior to diagnosis, clinical stage, Gleason score (including primary, secondary and any tertiary pattern observed), how many cores positive and what percent of each, where in the prostate is the tumor, is it diploid, etc.? If you have very low risk disease, then maybe you are not so crazy. If you have a higher risk disease, and are otherwise in good health, then yea I think you are probably nuts.

Even if you have very low risk disease, you probably want to consult with a urologist who has expertise in "active survailance" and monitor your cancer -- so that if it progresses, you can -- if you want to -- decide to seek treatment.

My dad died of prostate cancer. It is not a lot of fun. So if you can avoid it, and instead die of something else when you get old, that is a good idea.

Gem

I take it that by 'early stage' you mean a Gleason 3+3 with 5-10% involvement in one or two cores.
If so, you should look into the articles - especially recent posts - on Active Surveillance (AS) or Watchful Waiting (WW) which, at 64, are highly rational approaches to the disease for you.

If however by early stage you mean just diagnosed with a Gleason 7 or a 50% involvement, you need to educate yourself on how treatable the disease is, and how painful and ugly bone and lung cancers can be. That's where prostate cancer spreads when it escapes the gland, and when it does, it is not only a slow painful death, it is essentially untreatable.

So, don't panic, but make sure you are not quitting on yourself too early.

tpmgem,
Give us more information. Early cancer and low risk cancer are two different things...Which ever you are needs to me analyzed. For now you remain on the sane list...;-)

Tony

tpmgem, Crazy? I'd say yes if your intentions are to totally ignore the fact that you have cancer. If you're talking about regular checkups, PSA & DRE, with your uro, then you're not. I've been on AS for just over two years & intend to ride this horse 'til he dies at the door step of the glue factory. If you need to chat about anything with AS, feel free.