Where to Get Really Good Information from Prostate Cancer Survivors

Finding really good information about prostate cancer is a challenge. The ACOR LISTSERV provides an ongoing dialogue between prostate cancer survivors about their conditions, the treatments they are following and the treatment outcomes. if you are recently diagnosed or in your survivor period, I highly recommend subscribing to the LISTSERV. If you find it useful and have the resources, consider making a donation to support their operations.

15 Pounds in 15 Months. Will They Kill Me?

29000Men Comment
I just finished watching Mike Anderson’s movie, Healing Cancer, and I must say that it made a major impact on my thinking.

If you have read my short bio on the blog, you know my prostate cancer background. After my treatment, I searched for ways that I could affect the potential future recurrence of my prostate cancer. The only options I found were diet and exercise, because I wasn’t in the position to change my environment either by lowering work stress or by physically moving to a new location (I live in Manhattan Beach, CA).

I adopted a vegetarian diet and got back on my bicycle. Within 6 months I had dropped to 142 pounds, my weight at the time I graduated from college and entered the US Army. I felt great, although I looked a bit thin to most people (that’s why you see me sporting a beard - it makes my face look a bit fuller).

However, over the past year I relaxed my diet to include chicken, turkey, and an occasional fling with red meat, but also more non-vegetable carbohydrates and, of course, the cheese that I love. The result? My weight has increased to 158 pounds (my normal weight at surgery was 162 pounds - I stand 5’10“).

Yesterday, I reverted to my vegetarian regime and I’ll follow my progress on this blog. I would be very interested in hearing from other PCa survivors about their reflections on Mike Anderson’s research.

Best regards, Robert.
Test.Track.Treat.Live.™

PS: If you are a motorcyclist, check out http://www.tourdeusa.org. I'll be riding across the US and back in 2010 to get guys thinking about prostate cancer. I would love to have company along the way.

What About Prostate Cancer Recurrence?

This is the opening post in my personal process of determining if my prostate cancer is recurring. As is the case with PSA testing, there are differing views concerning when recurrence can be detected. Most PSA testing is done at the one decimal sensitivity level, i.e., at a sensitivity of ".1". Newer ultrasensitive tests can detect PSA levels at a sensitivity of ".01," which is an order of magnitude more sensitive. The Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for prostate cancer (according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network) indicate additional treatment for men who have had a radical prostatectomy (I had an RP in 2003) if they have a detectable PSA level of >.3 ng/ml that increases in two or more subsequent measurements following a period of no detectable PSA. I fall into that category, expect that I my PSA measures over the past 18 months have risen from undetectable, to .01, to .08 with the most recent test at .06. Having spent a career in the military, I'm always focused on proactive response, so I am in the process of meeting with a physician that believes in early detection and treatment. My current task is getting my medical records sent from my surgeon (who believes I am 'cured') to my new physician. So far, my written request has been lost twice. If you are reading this post and are in a similar situation, I would enjoy hearing from you. Test. Track. Treat. Live.(TM)