Newly Diagnosed

....A PCa diagnosis often comes as a shock, unexpectedly and upsetting. It is more than a physical disease and can impact you mentally and emotionally. So be aware you will be on a rollercoaster ride in the beginning. Just know that is all normal . At the same time understand that this type of cancer is slow growing and that men can live with it for years. I was diagnosed in 2013 with a Gleason 9 and figured i needed to draw up my will. Ten years later I am still here.


Today there are many treatment options and approaches that can be used. I would say - keep away from Dr. Google as you will find all kinds of things that do not relate to you particular case and in the long run will create more stress for you and your family. This site is an excellent source of reliable information. Personally speaking your best bet is to find a state e or regional cancer treatment center vs a local urologist. My cancer has returned 3 times in 10 years and for the last event i went to the Smilow Cancer Center in New Haven CT and so glad i did. Today i am working with a team at the University of VA in Charlottsville ..
Prostate cancer in most cases is a treatable disease so you are well advised to find a good team. As far as questions ... You will need to know the outcome of the scan to see if and how far the cancer has spread. Most likely if spread outside the probate wall is found you may not qualify for surgery but offered radiation or proton treatment. You may also be offered hormone therapy which is designed to deny the cancer the male hormones it needs to grow. Understand that hormone therapy does not kill the cancer it just slows it down. If prescribed you will want to know what impacts that treatment could have on you sexually, physically and emotionally . Sadly we are all different and how it will impact us and unfortunately the effects on you are not known in advance. I had a rough time with it others in my support group did not. You may also want to ask about any support groups for you and perhaps for your partner. PCa is a family disease and it impacts everyone close to you. I hope this is a good start for you and in time others will chime in.


If so inclined I also invite you to visit a website I put up for the National Prostate Cancer Awareness Foundation . www.PCaAware.org .. .and/ or ... www.TheProstateCancerCoach.com Both sites offer information and videos you may find helpful. Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)

if you highlight my name you may want to look up one or more of my articles ... One may be of interest is " You have been recently diagnosed now what" Dennis

Many thanks for your insights. I just completed an MRI of spine that showed a "bony island" but the bone scan showed potential cancer in that one spot--nowhere else. Now urologist wants me to get a new PSMA Pet Scan which greatly differentiates whether the spot if from prostate or maybe something else. Until then I am getting no treatment other than Casodex. Seems like lots of waiting to get anything going on. Also have an appointment with oncologist next week so I guess they wont do anything until they all agree on a plan. Tough to wait though.

Well-met with oncologist. He says he doesn't think bone scan is cancer but the PSMA Pet Scan will definitely show whether he is correct or not. Really wonder why they don't do a PSMA scan instead of a bone scan as the first test. Had another blood test and my PSA went from 26 to 12 I guess from the Casodex. More to come after Pet Scan next week.


Great group and thanks for the support.