Atlanta Falcons Owner has Prostate Cancer

Cancer does not care how famous or rich you are.

So does Bruce Dehaven, special teams coach for the Panthers. He was told he was terminal.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/08/02/nfl-training-camp-bruce-dehaven-cancer-carolina-panthers

JNF said...
Arthur Blank's announcement is that the cancer is "treatable" and that he will be aggressive and have surgery. The choice of surgery surprises me as he is 73 and engaged to be married.

I noticed this as well, and was also very surprised. Although we may not have all the facts, well informed folks like us may think he is not getting the best advice, or may be over-reacting to the word "cancer." We don't know, but he's not helping the more progressive image I'd like to see portrayed of today's prostate cancer.

From a cancer control perspective surgery is not more aggressive than radiation, just more invasive. If anything, radiation could be considered more aggressive since it can cover a much greater area than surgery.

His fiancé has three children from a prior marriage and, while I haven't found her age reported, pictures indicate to me she was probably 35 more than a few years ago. Children look to be late teens into their 20's. Very attractive lady, in my opinion. She is a leader in MADD, here in Atlanta. Of course I am not dumb enough to guess either a woman's age or weight.

Regarding surgery at Blank's age, the top PCa Surgeon, Patrick Walsh, wrote in his book that he would not operate on anyone over age 70. He required septuagenarians to bring both parents to the consult!! Perhaps Dr. Samadi will do the honors.

My immediate thought on seeing the thread header was "He is in Atlanta, bet he will opt for surgery instead of HDR brachy mono, when the uro JNF saw and did well with does HDR mono right there in Atlanta.

I think most URO's offer surgery, and at the same time HDR brachy mono just really isn't offered in that many places.

Of course, we know nothing of the specific details of his PCa.

However, it does seem to me that many URO's automatically recommend surgery. It also seems to me that in fact some form of radiation therapy would work equally well in most cases ( of course individual cases vary.)

Maybe I am just prejudiced by the several local anecdotal cases I know about.

We have known for a long time that urologists diagnose PCa and that most urologists are also surgeons. Logic tells us what to expect. My urologist, who is only mid 40's has decided that surgery does a lot of harm and no more good than other treatments and has stopped performing surgery. One of his partners is the premier robo-surgeon in Atlanta and he makes referrals, but on a limited basis.

Had Arthur been as smart as I was and found my urologist,he would be having HDR brachytherapy. Thus,making sure he would be cancer free and totally nerve spared (not even bruised) on his upcoming honeymoon night....with no mention of those evil Foley catheters.

I really wish them very well and hope that he found the very best treatment and will do very well. He has been wonderful for the Atlanta community and his fiancé appears that her heart is in the right place as well. They do a lot of good in the community and deserve the very best. However we would like a few more wins from the Falcons................just sayin.

he just wants it out

ed

Easy Halbert, I was trying to be a bit funny and I certainly didn't call anyone stupid.

Every body must choose their own treatment methods and then live with all the consequences both plus and minus. That you chose surgery doesn't mean others should any more than my choice of radiation means that others should mirror my choice.

And remember that I didn't seek out my urologist, my PCP referred me to him. Nothing "smart" about that on my part other than following my PCP directions. I was not "smart" choosing my treatment as it was my urologist using his smarts to direct my treatment. My "smarts" were to find this forum, do research, and seek multiple opinions. Then it was all easy as all the second opinions were in line with the initial direction.

That you are pleased with your decision as I am with mine makes us both smart.