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Interesting Article on AS Anxiety

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Posted 9/24/2018 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
This one showed up in inbox this morning:

Anxiety and AS a Patients Perspective

This also references: https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/apatientsjourney/75240

Interesting discussion from a patient's viewpoint.

Andrew
Posted 9/24/2018 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Key point from the article: The tincture of time reduces anxiety.

Regarding the psyche of the AS patient, I think Dr Klotz (probably the most renowned AS doc) described it best when he reported how many of his patients—over time—feel "ebullient" about their decisions to pursue AS, particularly when they see the crap that their similarly favorable-risk friends have gone through dealing with side effects of their unnecessary aggressive treatments.
Posted 9/24/2018 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Andrew, for posting this link. I've been on AS a year longer than Howard, and I always like to read his latest thoughts.

As Normal noted, and at least for me, any anxiety about living with cancer was quickly mitigated by reading the sad accounts of other men who are suffering from side effects after they chose to treat their low-risk PCa.

I know that newly diagnosed men are scared and panicked. We all were. But, that Dutch doctor who wouldn't even offer AS to some anxious patients is simply a criminal, in my opinion.
Posted 9/24/2018 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Andrew. I don't think there are any surprises in the article. Notwithstanding that, it's nice to know that people are addressing anxiety. I'm in a current MSKCC study on AS. Every 6 months, my wife and I each complete a very detailed questionnaire on AS. I have to answer more questions than my wife as there are questions on sexual performance.

Dr. Ehdaie is one of the authors of the paper referenced in the MedPage article. I have and will continue consult with him as he is a very strong AS advocate at MSKCC.

I have been on AS for 2 years and I still get anxious when I have my PSA test (every 6 months). I think that's "normal". As seen in my signature my PSA has stabilized. My next decision will be when to have the next biopsy. That's a judgment call and I will see what my urologist and Dr. Ehaie recommend. Two years ago, Dr. Ehdaie told me every 2-3 years. I'd like it to be pushed out.

As crazy as this sounds, I sometimes think about not having any more PSA tests, etc. Based on everything I read, I will die of something else so why go thru the anxiety and stress associated with PSA tests and biopsies. I have indolent cancer and doctors are discussing whether to call it cancer at all.
Posted 9/24/2018 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Great article, I think anxiety is a normal part of our journey. The issue is can we still make rational decisions while experiencing anxiety? I think we can. Denis
Posted 9/25/2018 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
PC and anxiety do go together. Cancer in general brings up a whole boat load of feelings and fears. Everyone of us knows either a family member or friend who's died from some sort of cancer. For me just the word can bring back a flood of memories of watching my mother go through hospice.

Then telling me I have it too - fear just takes over and it takes a lot to get past it.

Early on I wanted to do AS, but my risk group put me just over the line.

and even 7 years later, I get a worried when I get the notice that it's time for my PSA test.

Andrew
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