Being proactive with prostate cancer

Hello Jerrkyla, My father was diagnosis with PC at the age of 72. He is now 87 and going strong. At the beginning of his journey, I had so many questions. I wanted to what were the chances that the cancer has spread beyond my prostate? Does he need any other tests before we decide treatment? Should I see any other types of doctors before deciding treatment? What does a Gleason score mean? Is this treatment expensive? What types of radiation therapy might work best for him? What are the side effects? What is your take on studies? How quickly should he decide treatment? How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done? How will we know if the treatment is working? Is there limits to what he can do? The one thing that kept me sane through all of this was getting a journal. My father's doctor told him what to do step by step. Keep us up to date. Diane, Community Moderator

Good news on the low Gleason of 6 vs a higher number which could indicate a more aggressive cancer and greater tendency to spread . For example my Gleason was a 9. I am still here and it has not spread as it was caught early. Know that Prostate Cancer is slow growing so waiting a bit for a follow-up should not be an issue.
With a score of 6 your urologist may just suggest a "wait and see approach" Also called active surveillance he most likely will do a follow up biopsy in a few months.
The words you have cancer are scary that said the G6 suggests it is OK to relax a bit. Prostate cancer hits all of us on two levels - physical and mental. The latter is often harder to deal with and it is why I usually suggest that guys find a support group on line or in your community. It really helps to meet other men who have walked this path . And of course there are more than a few of us here who are more than willing to help and chat ... Dennis(ProstateCancer.net Team)

I am glad that you have gotten screened and know your baseline. After my dad and other men in my family had a prostate cancer diagnosis, they began moderating their eating and exercising regimen to help. Their doctors told them that he wanted their bodies to be at its healthiest form so that it could fight against the cancer. Their insurance did cover a nutritionist that helped them meal plan specifics foods to eat as it related to prostate cancer. Continue to ask questions and gain insight on different viewpoints because every man's journey can be different. I wish you well and an abundance of health.


Beverly (Prostatecancer.net Team)

Good Morning, I have similar circumstances as you, my Gleason is 3+4 with a 6.5 PSA, after doing Active surveillance for several months I felt a little anxious just waiting for something to potentially spread, my physician at a leading hospital advised me that he is seeing more Gleason scores as mine spreading out of the prostate and I have decided to have robotic surgery in June for my prostate and lymph nodes removed. I just don't want to keep waiting for the chance of spreading and the older I get the more difficult it could be, good luck, take care Fran