Comments on: Prostate cancer screening and the PSA test http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/09/prostate-cancer-screening-and-psa-test.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:04:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Scotthttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/09/prostate-cancer-screening-and-psa-test.html#comment-87511 Scott Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:52:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/09/prostate-cancer-screening-and-the-psa-test.html#comment-87511 I must say I agree wholeheartedly. Case in point: my father, who 11 years ago was diagnosed with prostate cancer, largely on a series of PSA results. He & his oncologist chose seed implant therapy, which was promoted as an easy, minimal side effect option. Fast forward to the present day, where is he is age 85 and largely bowel & urinary incontinent. After several years of going to the gastroenterologist (diagnosis: chronic colitis), the GI PA told me (his patient advocate & caregiver) that seed implant therapy destroys not only cancer cells, but the nerve endings at the end of colon & rectum, so that the sensation to evacuate is impaired. Finally, I had an explanation of why he spent at least an hour a day on the toilet (in toto) and would say he had to go, but often could not; and why he often evacuated before he could get to a toilet.<br/><br/>I wondered at the time of the diagnosis if anyone explained to him the concept of "watchful waiting" (a definite option for those with prostate cancer in advanced years); now I really think someone should have definitely explained that to him. I must say I agree wholeheartedly. Case in point: my father, who 11 years ago was diagnosed with prostate cancer, largely on a series of PSA results. He & his oncologist chose seed implant therapy, which was promoted as an easy, minimal side effect option. Fast forward to the present day, where is he is age 85 and largely bowel & urinary incontinent. After several years of going to the gastroenterologist (diagnosis: chronic colitis), the GI PA told me (his patient advocate & caregiver) that seed implant therapy destroys not only cancer cells, but the nerve endings at the end of colon & rectum, so that the sensation to evacuate is impaired. Finally, I had an explanation of why he spent at least an hour a day on the toilet (in toto) and would say he had to go, but often could not; and why he often evacuated before he could get to a toilet.

I wondered at the time of the diagnosis if anyone explained to him the concept of "watchful waiting" (a definite option for those with prostate cancer in advanced years); now I really think someone should have definitely explained that to him.

]]>