Prostate Cancer

[RealMuddyboots]

I know there has been some discussions here on this topic but the recent passing of Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs) just hit my hot button. Two years ago this past January, my best friend, my hunting pard, my first mate on my salmon boat on Lake Michigan needlessly passed from prostate cancer. When you are a geezer, it hurts even more. I don't know Sandberg's circumstances but I do know my best friend did not get simple PSA test every year. No idea why but it happened.

I have been on HT relatively short time in relation to most of you all but I am going to be blunt about this. Get a physical EVERY year and do the blood workups INCLUDING a PSA. It is the most simple thing you can do for yourself, your family and your friends. It's a cancer that caught early is highly treatable.

Nobody likes being preached at with a PSA, but I have had 3 friends in last 10 years pass from failing to do a simple thing. Take care of themselves.

I also believe I failed my friends in not discussing this over a beer and maybe things be different. I now walk in a park and have a chat with my best friend sitting on a bench dedicated to him.

No more benches.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

I CHALLENGE every HT'er to have this conversation with their doctors, their male family members and your friends. Be a ROYAL PITA to them all.

 

[F250]

I have had numerous friends diagnosed with prostate cancer. Each of these guys caught it early, received treatment, and are either still kicking or passed from something else. Yup… test every year !!!

 

[MTTW]

5 years ago, I lost my brother to a very aggressive form prostate cancer. He was diagnosed at 58 after experiencing symptoms and getting his first ever psa test. The test was off the charts high, the cancer had already spread, and 2 years later he was gone.

I get the blood test twice a year; it is so easy.

 

[Islander]

Yep. Get $*)Q!#@$ checked! Colonoscopies too. Both issues often happen when you still have many great decades left to live...if you diagnose on time.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Yep. Get $*)Q!#@$ checked! Colonoscopies too. Both issues often happen when you still have many great decades left to live...if you diagnose on time.

I lost my brother to colon cancer. No F'n reason other than he didn't like getting tests just in case results are bad. I know its crazy but lots of people feel that way. He paid the ultimate price. Another reason to have difficult discussion with family and friends.

 

[hank4elk]

With no PCP for 16 years I went under the radar. On waiting lists. Last full physical was 12 years ago when I got a CDL.
What all the clinics and so called state Dr's called sciatica was not. I went in for MRI from ER.
Oncologist referral showed my PSA was 416.19. Biopsy showed prostate cancer in the bone. Skipped past organs and prostate.
I got lucky and have it under control. PSA is now .03. But still hit stage 4. It will get me,someday.

All could have been avoided by a PSA blood test. Which is avoided in clinics while sending you home with a colon cancer test kit every time. Useless.

Healthcare is this country sucks.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

All could have been avoided by a PSA blood test. Which is avoided in clinics while sending you home with a colon cancer test kit every time.

My best friend had a doc that never suggested a PSA ever! I know still your responsibility too but WTH! You expect doctors to recommend standard tests based upon your mitigating factors. Whether age, physical condition, gender, other tests etc. Nope not one suggestion. I do not understand this level of incompetence of a doctor with a 70 year old man.

 

[NoWiser]

My dad is a prostate cancer survivor for no reason other than he had a diligent doctor. I’m 41 and have gotten a PSA test every year for the last 5 years. My doctor told me that I’ll get prostate cancer but that I “probably won’t die from it.” Reassuring. I also got my first colonoscopy this year. Both tests are very simple and I recommend them to all of my friends who are the same age as me. Even if you’re a bit young, at least you establish a baseline.

 

[recon6036]

I have Prostate Cancer….caught on my annual physical (PSA)….thankfully!!

 

[mxracer317]

My dad is a prostate cancer survivor for no reason other than he had a diligent doctor. I’m 41 and have gotten a PSA test every year for the last 5 years. My doctor told me that I’ll get prostate cancer but that I “probably won’t die from it.” Reassuring. I also got my first colonoscopy this year. Both tests are very simple and I recommend them to all of my friends who are the same age as me. Even if you’re a bit young, at least you establish a baseline.

I’m 45 and got both. Smart to do

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Kinda crazy coincidence, on the day this thread was posted I was having a colonoscopy, and the next day I had surgery to remove a tumor and half of my large intestine. I was officially diagnosed a few days later with Stage 2 colon cancer.

 

[Irrelevant]

My dad is a prostate cancer survivor for no reason other than he had a diligent doctor. I’m 41 and have gotten a PSA test every year for the last 5 years. My doctor told me that I’ll get prostate cancer but that I “probably won’t die from it.” Reassuring. I also got my first colonoscopy this year. Both tests are very simple and I recommend them to all of my friends who are the same age as me. Even if you’re a bit young, at least you establish a baseline.

Same age and my doctor said don't worry for another decade... Maybe I'll have to be a bit more aggressive next year

 

[cgasner1]

Same age and my doctor said don't worry for another decade... Maybe I'll have to be a bit more aggressive next year

After all the shit I’ve dealt with this year I’ve learned 2 things. Male health is a joke. Our medical system is a joke. Get out of the regular doctor and go find one that will work outside of big pharmaceutical

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Everyone has that little voice that can tell you something isn't quite right. Listen to it and even if there is nothing wrong there are times it will save your life. Long story short, I had a heart attack in 2005. I would not be here if I didn't listen to that voice. Even after my GP looked me over cause I didn't feel right, I ended up going to ER late that afternoon cause something just didn't feel right. ER ran more tests and found I had a heart attack preceding week. I was a step away of the big one. Five stents and all is now good 20 years later. We all have that inner voice, an instinct that just seems to have a pulse on your life. Listen to it, you cannot lose listening to it at all.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Everyone has that little voice that can tell you something isn't quite right.

Yes; good advice. Prostate and urinary problems pushed me to urologist who continually tested for PSA number. Biopsy confirmed cancer but luckily at early stage, so now prostate is gone ... and so is cancer. VA said it was Agent Orange, but who knows.

Pain at elk camp kept me from sleeping, so packed up, loaded pickup and headed into ER, where tests showed kidney stone. They took care of it and I was able to hunt some more that season.

Listen to your body and get checked if it's not right with you. However, I don't have a regular physician, nor do I go in regularly as vitamins are all I take and I do NOT want to begin a regimen of many bottles of medication each morning. It is appalling to learn of all the pills taken each and every morning by my peers and friends! I don't want that life.

 

[hank4elk]

Yes; good advice. Prostate and urinary problems pushed me to urologist who continually tested for PSA number. Biopsy confirmed cancer but luckily at early stage, so now prostate is gone ... and so is cancer. VA said it was Agent Orange, but who knows.

Pain at elk camp kept me from sleeping, so packed up, loaded pickup and headed into ER, where tests showed kidney stone. They took care of it and I was able to hunt some more that season.

Listen to your body and get checked if it's not right with you. However, I don't have a regular physician, nor do I go in regularly as vitamins are all I take and I do NOT want to begin a regimen of many bottles of medication each morning. It is appalling to learn of all the pills taken each and every morning by my peers and friends! I don't want that life.

It beats the alternative. 12 a day and alive. Urinary & prostate intact still.

 

[Rack Daniels]

I lost my brother to colon cancer. No F'n reason other than he didn't like getting tests just in case results are bad. I know its crazy but lots of people feel that way.

That’s exactly how I feel… I want to die living….

 

[Straight Arrow]

That’s exactly how I feel… I want to die living….

Understood, but it's good to be cautious and get simple blood tests to prevent metastasized prostate cancer from racking your body while you slowly die a painful death, not being able to hunt or enjoy basic recreational activities. That's not "living" as you and I enjoy.

Case in point is a friend who was diagnosed with prostate cancer same month as I, but with cancer much more progressed. He passed within a few short but painful years.
When I pointed to the close time proximity of our cancers and asked why he had to pass so young, his widow said, "The dumb-ass wouldn't go to the doctor for a simple blood test!"
Her grief included anger in realization that a simple blood test may have made years of difference in their life together.

The medical professionals told me that if you are a man blessed to live a long life, chances are strong that sometime you will develop prostate cancer.

 

[Wild Bill]

The medical professionals told me that if you are a man blessed to live a long life, chances are strong that sometime you will develop prostate cancer.

Yup.

It used to be believed that there was a correlation between men that took fish oil supplements were more susceptible to prostate cancer, but more research showed that men that took fish oil supplements simply lived long enough for prostate cancer to arrive.