How my doctor reacted to the taskforce issue

Went for a physical today (not my psa test yet) with the doc who was good enough to check my PSA almost two years ago. It's that test at the age of 40 which lead to the discovery of my G7 cancer. He had nothing to gain from my disease as he was not involved with biopsy or surgery nor referred either to me.

I brought up the task force and how many argue that testing at 40 isn't necessary and all the indolent stuff.

He said it's a bunch of horsecrap and that the advice the task force gave CAN BE good advice for older men in some cases, but that in cases with young men like me, discovering the disease early is critical in improving treatment success and reducing SEs. He cited the 40% decrease in mortality that Ralph and Tony often cite here and that my surgeon also mentions. He said that the task force recommendation hadn't changed how they practiced medicine.

We then talked about my situation, my PSA related stress and my self diagnosed mild depression. He looked at my chart, my post op pathology and told me that I'm doing great, that with my numbers I should expect nothing but good news. I told him about all the people I "met" or heard about who started like me and then had it come back and his response was that we are all different, all have different backgrounds, and that I should never compare my situation to that of any other. He then said that doing so wasn't healthy or productive. I told him that i know all this but that to change perspective and attitude is easier said than done.

He went on to say that just because many men develop PCa in their older years doesn't mean that many more don't get it early because of environmental reasons or family history.

Then I had my EKG and he found an abnormality that requires further testing. I suppose I brought that on myself with my attitude :) I've been saying I'm having issues with breathing and getting light headed from time to time. Mae the mistake of going straight to google where stress from surgery was listed as one of the potential reasons for an abnormal EKG.

David, it is great that this is front and center for you. You no doubt approach business and family in a fact-based method and it probably serves you well. I hope you can overcome the PSA anxiety/depression and if needed, seek specific assistance with it Don't let it control you. I greatly appreciate your direct candor and clarity with these issues.

I remember encouraging you to pursue the assignment in Italy based on my own experience overseas. I would like to hear more of your experience and what it meant to your family. For me, my PCa is only one part of our life at this point and I try to keep it in proper context. I am 20 years older than yoou with grandkids the age of your kids, so our perspective are a bit different, but no less important. We never know what tomorrow brings, but usually the probability is that it will have more to do with our kids' activities, the traffic on the commute, and the weather; rather than with our PSA.

Again, your information is appreciated and it sounds like you have a doctor that is looking out for you. Best wishes with your EKG investigation, hopefully it is nothing that will cause any problems.

David,

It is a blessing to have a doctor who does the right thing on the screening. My GP did the same for me, and my case turned out to be an early detection with what is shaping up to be a very good long term outlook. The doc even took the time to talk about dealing with the mental adjustments several months after my surgery. Still, my blood pressure crept up over the year and I was apparently wound pretty tight at my last PSA discussion with my surgeon. I got a good result and a routine BP check a week later was right in the sweet spot.

Looking for your EKG to be the same.

Explorer