When I was diagnosed, my PSA was 34 (free PSA 8% and doubling time 20 months) and biopsy indicated a Gleason Score of 7, although DRE and diagnostic scan results were negative. Because my prostate was enlarged, my doctor recommended hormonal therapy before undergoing radiation. I scrambled to learn as much as I could about this disease.
I scoured the Internet, libraries and newsstands, and joined several email discussion groups. Researching the LHRH therapy I had started, while simultaneously battling unexpected side effects, I learned about its impact on bones. Sure enough, a bone mineral density test indicated I had osteopenia. I was now looking not only at cancer, but also at deteriorating bones. I was lucky to see a bone specialist and receive medications to help protect my bones.
Six years later, IÂm still fighting these malignant cells. After several sessions of hormonal and radiation therapy, I had to stop the hormones because I could no longer tolerate the side effects. IÂm now on a different therapy with estrogen patches. Unfortunately, my PSA is still rising, albeit slowly. I know my battle will continue for the rest of my life. Unlike some others whose cancer was discovered early enough, I donÂt see a cure in my future because I dillydallied about getting tested.
Help from many sides
I appreciate my doctors, who have been carefully
monitoring me to ensure that the current treatments
and medications are working. I try to help
minimize the time spent on treatment review
during appointments by preparing graphs. I
tabulate all blood test results on a spreadsheet
 this enables us to instantly see where trends
are heading. With a Multigraph from the Prostate
Cancer Research and Education Foundation
(www.pcref.org), we keep track of PSA and
other parameters such as testosterone, and chart
treatment periods, diagnostics and other events.
My wife Marija has been at my side from the beginning, but it took me too long to recognize the value of her support. We should have made more of our time together during doctors visits and conferences throughout North America, but I was often grumpy and couldnÂt appreciate the moment. IÂm slowly learning that prostate cancer doesnÂt mean the end to lifeÂs pleasures and joys.
Support groups give an additional boost to the aid cancer fighters receive from their families. Sharing information with others about symptoms and treatments makes a great difference. It can help us take our disease in hand at the beginning of our battle, and can be an even bigger help if hormone-refractory cancer takes over.
From "not interested" to fully engaged
Before being diagnosed, I knew little about prostate cancer. I was convinced it could never happen to me, and sitting in a doctorÂs waiting room seemed like a waste of time. Now, when I try to share my sense of urgency with others about how lifestyle changes and early detection can improve survival, I meet many men who react as I did, "not wanting to know" about this cancer. What goes around comes around, I guess.
I watch what I eat, because compelling research shows it makes a big difference in quality of life, and I try to minimize stress. Diagnosis doesnÂt translate into instant death. It takes time; I want to make it a good, long time. With the assistance of excellent doctors, my research has helped me to fully engage in my treatment and, most important, to counter many of the adverse effects.
I hope that greater emphasis will be placed on studies of hormone-refractory prostate cancer. This is the kind that kills, when hormonal therapy
can no longer stop the growth of cancer cells  watching and waiting this one out isnÂt an option. We need a broader range of treatments in Canada
NOW. We need to push for research because there is NO CURE for this type of prostate cancer, and this wonÂt change without us!
We must all join the fight against prostate cancer, for ourselves and for our sons and grandsons.
More ... Coping with prostate cancer:
the partner's point of view By Marija Papaurelis
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