Medical insight, personal stories and humor from a urologist who has been where you are now.
I was reading where President Obama is still smoking. Then I read that one is at increased risk for prostate cancer if one smokes. And then I know that of the risk factors for prostate cancer, none is greater than being black and having a family history. As my mother would say..." A word to …
Continue reading "Risk factors of prostate cancer and a smoking President Obama"
What! I though having a national health care system would make health care equally accessable to all and hence improve things for all? What? The lower socio-economic patient is more likely to be "unaware, over weight and smoke." And finally, " the government needs to do more to improve the "uptake of screening and treatment …
For years urologists have been aware of the "upgrading" of the Gleason's score when comparing the biopsy report with the final pathology report. The tricky thing here is that the urologist and the "surveillance minded" patient are making decisions about surveillance on limited information, i.e. the biopsy report. ( Think of twelve cores about twice …
Here's a dirty little secret for you....prostate cancer patients often don't choose the treatment that they feel gives them the best chance for cure. They are "I want my cake and eat it too type" patients. By this I mean, "Which treatment will best treat my cancer and limit my potential side effects and complications." In …
This was a comment/question a few days ago....this issue is confusing but I think I can simplify it-here goes. The ongoing debate about the PSA has to do with pretreatment decision-making. The PSA is often times elevated before the diagnosis of prostate cancer is made for many reasons other than prostate cancer. So some want …
A podcast excerpt of a story at the end of "The Decision." I bet you didn't think I knew that much about diapers did you?
Podcast on Internet Only type of patient. After examining a patient one day (PSA and rectal exam) he asked if that was all I was planning to do to him to check for prostate cancer. I said that what I had done was enough for now, the prostate felt fine and the PSA would be …
Continue reading "Are you a Internet Only prostate cancer patient?"
Otis Brawley: I have never had a PSA and do not desire one. I have had relatives with the disease. I just do not believe it saves that many lives. SEER data show that a large proportion of so called early detected patients with pathologically localized disease (the best prognosis one can have) ultimately relapse …
Podbean thoughts on "sapping up" all you can from everyone before you make your "decision."
Prostate Diaries 