My Update - Now Over Two Years of Active Surveillance

I last posted here nearly two years ago. At the time, an Epstein second opinion on my biopsy slides had downgraded my Gleason scores from 4+3 to 3+3, and after considering all the information and opinions I had obtained, I chose to engage in active surveillance as my course of action.

The most difficult but impactful change I made once diagnosed was to change my diet. I switched from a SAD diet (standard American diet) consisting of lots of chicken, red meat, eggs, and assorted junk food and desserts to a whole plant food based diet - yes, if it had a face or a mother, I no longer eat it. The results have been nothing short of amazing for me over the past couple of years. I've lost about 85 lbs. so far and saw my total cholesterol number drop to 140. I'm still just slightly above where I want to be with my BMI, but if Dr. Esselstyn ("Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease") is to be believed, I also now have virtually eliminated most risk of heart disease. But more importantly, my dietary change has cause the size of my lesions to decrease (confirmed by MRI/biopsy) and my PSA to stay rock steady within the normal range. Changing my diet has been transformative to my health and at this point, I am confident that I can remain in AS the remainder of my life.

Nobody knows better than me that dietary changes are not for everyone, or that it isn't easy to do, but the quality of my life has been enhanced in so many ways by my dietary changes, including optimism for my future, that I'd advise anyone to add dietary improvements to their arsenal against prostate cancer.

Very inspiring post, congratulations. As you said, its not for everyone, but for those who can do it, the results, are terrific.

Thanks for this, Boosted. You and I are the same age and with fundamentally the same PCa situation (although mine was G6 both before after Epstein) and I'm glad to read about how things are going for you. As a 40+ year nearly-exclusive vegetarian (some fish here and there) I didn't have to kick anything in the food department. In fact if anything I could stand to gain a few pounds.

Like you I hope to be able to stay on AS as long as I can. But I'm prepared for any eventuality.

David

Boosted, Congratulations on your good results. Active Surveillance is a good option for many, including you and others on the forum. I read the President Clinton ever since his second heart surgery has been on the dietary regimen suggested by Dr. Esselstyn.

Onward and upward!

ASAdvocate said...
Are you enrolled in an institutional
AS program, working with a local urologist, or doing your own program?

I am working with my urologist. Office visits every six months with PSA testing (was every three during the first year following diagnosis), periodic MRIs (next one scheduled for 2022 unless a significant uptick in PSA occurs). During my appointment with him last month, we talked again about my diet and he shared with me that he also has another patient that chose my path (whole plant food based diet) and that he was experiencing similarly positive results - steady to declining PSAs, much improved bloodwork results, etc.

When I read about Dr. Satilaro's experience (before he reverted to his former eating patterns), and Chris Wark's experience, it really made me consider the possibility that partial or complete remission, or at a bare minimum, successful management (i.e., no further progression) is possible via the right dietary choices. I am extremely fortunate that I had a caring and thorough Gastroenterologist who noted my small nodule during a routine colonoscopy and advised me to have it checked out, I did and the early detection has given me an opportunity to attempt to manage and maybe defeat this thing without requiring radiation, drugs or surgery. And as I posted a couple of years ago, I was truly blessed to find this forum and its helpful members. The information I learned was instrumental in my getting a second opinion on my biopsy results and determining my course of action. As many have already noted, none of us wish to be participating here.

Congratulations Booster. Similar situation for me. On AS for 3 years. Not the biggest meat eater prior, but have gone vegetarian, (no meat) for 3 years. (Grated cheese and occasional fish exceptions). Also dabble into vegan. Maybe it's helped my PSA which has been somewhat stable in the past 3 years. I've lost about 13 lbs in these 3 years at the same activity level. I also had a mitral valve repair 11 years ago, so I'm a bit more food conscious with my cardiac condition.