To Those Diagnosed At An Early Age

I was diagnosed at 43, but it probably would have been picked up a year or two earlier, if the biopsy needle had hit the right spot. When I was in my late 30's, I noticed an uptick in nighttime urination. At 38, when I brought it up with my general practitioner, he performed a DRE. He said it was "boggy". He ordered a PSA. It was 4.5. He referred me to a urologist, who thought the prostate felt normal. He did a biopsy. Negative.
A year later my PSA was 4.1. 9 months after that it jumped to 6.1. The uro thought it was likely prostatitis and/or BPH, so he put me on Cipromax (a potent antibiotic) and high-dose Motrin. My PSA went down a bit, to 5.7. At this point I was 40 years old. T

4 months later, still on Motrin, my PSA jumped to 7.3. T he uro put me on Avodart--which at the time was thought to possibly have a preventative role in prostate cancer, and it would help with urinary issues. And he did another biopsy. This one was negative for cancer, but showed high-grade PIN.

Avodart has an effect on PSA independent of any role it might play as a preventive agent. My PSA fell to 2.2. But then it started creeping up, and when it hit 4.8 (effectively 9.6 because of the effect of Avodart), we did another biopsy and this one was positive.
http://pcabefore50.blogspot.com/2008/11/biography-of-prostate.html

So in short, my PSA was high for my age at 38, so maybe I had it all the way back then and we just kept missing it on biopsies--for 5 years. I do think my symptoms were more psychosomatic or related to some mild BPH and/or prostatitis. If I had been symptomatic all the way back then, five years later I would have been in big trouble. And I wasn't in dire straits at the time of dx. It was Gleason 3+4, 20% involved, not metastatic.

I'm doing fine now. Next month will be 10 years with an undetectable PSA.

DangNabbit, sorry for the upgrade. I would recommend, however, that you have the slides sent to Dr. Epstein at JHU to get an expert opinion which may affect your treatment decision. That saving radiation "in case of" is a bogus argument frequently provided by surgeons. The implication is that you then have a salvage opportunity after surgery but none are available if you have radiation first. That is simply untrue.

And, it's natural that your surgeon would recommend surgery. However, I would suggest that you consult with various experts in the radiation protocols of LDR Brachy, HDR Brachy and SBRT. All of those are likely to cure you as well as surgery but with a lesser chance on onerous side effects. You may ultimately choose surgery but please get yourself educated about the options before making a potentially life changing decision.

Good luck.

Jim

49 at DX. I had annual tests from age 40. Personal decision to start testing then. Glad I did.

My husband had no symptoms 10 & 1/2 years ago as his was picked up in a routine nearly-50 health check, however he has no regrets now about his pathway back then. He went high PSA, biopsy, surgery with experienced surgeon within 5 months. I personally think he was lucky. He had three times the amount of Pca present than showed up in the biopsy eleven years ago, and although minutely scattered, it was spreading. But he had no symptoms at all. Now, 10 years later, he is healthy and well and working with stable PSA too. He was diagnosed on his 49th birthday in 2006, and this year turns 60 on that day. It has taken 10 years to relax but we have to remain confident and we are mostly but don't take life for granted. We were lucky that he made a full recovery. I have been checking into HW reasonably regularly for most of those 10 years as hubby does not use a computer, and as a wife, the HW group was once my only support, as it is now for others.

100% by chance.
My gp decided to change his practice to a men's health clinic because the female Drs left the practice to start a woman's clinic.
It was just a check box on regular blood work. I don't think we even discussed it. Funny thing is, that he closed his practice (I guess not enough men care about their health) before I had the blood drawn.... he doesn't know he did me a huge favour.

Kinda fun to read pre covid threads...I’ll never call em Zombie threads again

Hello, GabsDad2003 ~~~

Your story is inspiring, and shares HOPE with others, facing a serious diagnosis ...

I was diagnosed seven years ago, and my health history is revealed beneath my signature in this post.

Your story is a testament to the power of proactive, aggressive, and directed treatments.

I give personal thanks to you, for sharing your story here.

We have readers joining us from around the globe --- facing a new diagnosis --- and looking for posts like yours that bring encouragement and HOPE.

As time goes by, you might wish to share more of your story --- and continue to chime in on other posts.

Your story is remarkable, hope-filled, and inspiring. You have seen incredible results from your treatments!

You have, within you, a powerful spark -- that keeps a flame burning brightly.

That flame is shining like a beacon ---- and your story will encourage others, beyond all words!

How do I know this to be true? Your story has already inspired me today ...

Stay STRONG, stay DETERMINED, stay RESILIENT!

CYCLONE ----- # Iowa State University

Thanks. I hope others that read these posts understand how bad and dangerous this is but with the right mental attitude and Drs. It can be dealt with. I have always told my Drs. You do what you have to do and I’ll do what I have to do. On a more solemn note. I had a friend/acquaintance from high school that had a similar diagnosis as mine but the PSA was unknown to me and he was diagnosed with Advanced Metastatic Prostate Cancer that had spread to his brain and developed brain cancer and his diagnosis was 2 years ago also but he lost his battle in Friday Sept. 4. I had hoped for a much better outcome for him but God has other plans. SORRILY he is one of the negative statistics of this horrible disease. I wish all out there battling well and keep the strength and positive attitudes.

Good for you!.. frankly, I think one should start getting tested right around this point unless one has a family history and then it should probably start closer to 40. Today, these days, young men have so many options and their age is a huge positive in the overall healing process. younger men have a better capability of physical healing than older men when choosing more surgical modalities than radiation based. (oncologists tend to lean AWAY from radiation based treatments for younger guys)

I was in that case group. Had all choices available to me, and went with RARP. I did my research, found a world class surgeon and team and in the end had a great outcome. I would say I’m back to 95+% of where I was prior to surgery. I’ve sent several young guys ultimately to the same surgeon (after they decide that is the path they wish to choose) and have had the same recovery and outcome.. so, young helps.

Chance PSA test at around age 36 showed PSA= 4.5, MRI showed epithelial hyperactivity but no tumour.
Twice yearly PSA tests revealed a fluctuating PSA between 4 and 6 until MRI Sept 2018 detected a tumour 5mm, subsequent initial biopsy G6 (age 41)
AS for a year and confirmatory biopsy Oct 2019 G3+4=7 (30% 4) tumour 7mm, possible EPE. Surgery recommended (not keen on this).
To date no Tx, still exploring options. MRI May 2020 detected tumour 5mm which is odd although I have drastically modified my diet and practice intermittent fasting.

Diagnosed at 54 in late 2010. Burning pain while urinating led me to the doc, then to a Uro, then to City of Hope who has been managing my treatment ever since. My Dad was also diagnosed at 54 a year after he had been diagnosed and successfully treated for colon cancer. He had RP and ART for the PC. He is now 83 and has not had any recurrence of either cancer in almost 30 years. I hope I am as lucky.

With SEPTEMBER almost here, it's time to mark PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

We've got lots of new members here, and these stories of diagnosis are poignant --- and a testimonial to the importance of staying vigilant, in terms of one's healthcare.

That first PSA for me happened over a Labor Day weekend ----- I started to have a nagging suspicion that something wasn't right.

A physical led to a PSA test --- which then led to a biopsy --- which then led to treatments.

As September begins, I will step into my ninth year of survivorship.

The stories shared on this thread are powerful --- each one tells a valued story.

If you've got a story to add to this thread, we hope you'll share it here!

Stay STRONG in the battle!

My best to each & to all ~~~

CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University