How do you know when you have prostate cancer? Well, you can wait until you have symtoms or you can have a simple bloodwork screening test to check your PSA level.You may not notice any symptoms until it has metastisized (spread). With early detection, while still contained in the gland, there are several options to cure it. If not caught early, it can metasticize and spread to your lymphnodes, bladder, rectum, bones, and other parts of your body; not good at all!
Symtoms:
Trouble urinating, pain when urinating
Decreased force in the stream of urine
Blood in semen
Incontenance, both urinary and bowels
Discomfort in the pelvic area
Bone pain
Inability to arrow big bucks
Hip or back pain
Stomach pain
Erectile dysfunction
If you are a male over 45, especially an African-American male (who are twice as prone to prostate cancer), you should have your PSA checked through blood labwork. Your doctor can advise on how often to have it checked after that, but certainly every few years.
20 years ago at age 51 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer via a blood workup performed as a promise to my brother-in-law who had the dreaded disease. I assured him I would have it checked, never dreaming that I would have cancer. Other people get cancer, not me . Usually PC is a slow growing form of cancer and fairly easy to treat IF caught early. Mine was advance rapidly but contained to the gland. The doc did a radical prostatectemy (removed the whole dang thang with some surrounding tissue margin to be certain) and felt comfortable that he got it all; did not feel the need to follow up with radiation or chemo. I went back to him every 3-6 months for several years to double check, and got a clean bill of health every time until he finally said he didn't need to see me anymore. I have been thankful for 20 years that I did not have to worry about PC anymore...until...
Last summer my new primary care doctor ran my bloodwork. I was mostly concerned with my cholesterol and A1C, never even realized he would check my PSA. Well, it was 22.5 (anything 4 or more is a concern)! Went to a urologist (mine had retired), and my PSA had risen to 28.9, 6 weeks after the 22.5 reading! After 20 years, my cancer had returned! No way! WAY!!!
I took a female hormone shot plus 30 hormone pills to slow the growth down, then started radiation. I am now having hot flashes from the hormones, and my boobs are probably going to rival Caitlyn Jenner's . I have finished #19 of the 35 radiation treatments, and my oncologist assures me I can be cured. Other than the hot flashes, messed up bowel movements and burning urination, I am fine and haven't lost an hour of sleep over this. I DID miss a tuner trip though !!!
You guys get your PSA checked...regularly!
Symtoms:
Trouble urinating, pain when urinating
Decreased force in the stream of urine
Blood in semen
Incontenance, both urinary and bowels
Discomfort in the pelvic area
Bone pain
Inability to arrow big bucks
Hip or back pain
Stomach pain
Erectile dysfunction
If you are a male over 45, especially an African-American male (who are twice as prone to prostate cancer), you should have your PSA checked through blood labwork. Your doctor can advise on how often to have it checked after that, but certainly every few years.
20 years ago at age 51 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer via a blood workup performed as a promise to my brother-in-law who had the dreaded disease. I assured him I would have it checked, never dreaming that I would have cancer. Other people get cancer, not me . Usually PC is a slow growing form of cancer and fairly easy to treat IF caught early. Mine was advance rapidly but contained to the gland. The doc did a radical prostatectemy (removed the whole dang thang with some surrounding tissue margin to be certain) and felt comfortable that he got it all; did not feel the need to follow up with radiation or chemo. I went back to him every 3-6 months for several years to double check, and got a clean bill of health every time until he finally said he didn't need to see me anymore. I have been thankful for 20 years that I did not have to worry about PC anymore...until...
Last summer my new primary care doctor ran my bloodwork. I was mostly concerned with my cholesterol and A1C, never even realized he would check my PSA. Well, it was 22.5 (anything 4 or more is a concern)! Went to a urologist (mine had retired), and my PSA had risen to 28.9, 6 weeks after the 22.5 reading! After 20 years, my cancer had returned! No way! WAY!!!
I took a female hormone shot plus 30 hormone pills to slow the growth down, then started radiation. I am now having hot flashes from the hormones, and my boobs are probably going to rival Caitlyn Jenner's . I have finished #19 of the 35 radiation treatments, and my oncologist assures me I can be cured. Other than the hot flashes, messed up bowel movements and burning urination, I am fine and haven't lost an hour of sleep over this. I DID miss a tuner trip though !!!
You guys get your PSA checked...regularly!
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