male only A word to guys, and those with guys in your life…

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

There is a lot of FUD right now about how effective a yearly PSA test is, even to the point of recommending that guys consider not having it checked on a yearly basis. I personally have mine tested every year and have been watching PSA climb over the last several years, and when I went in for this year’s physical, my PCP kicked me back to a urologist for a biopsy, and the biopsy came back positive for prostate cancer.

2 weeks ago yesterday, I had my prostate removed, walked out of the hospital 24 hours later, got my pathology report back 5 days later showing that the cancer was contained in the prostate and I had a 90% of remaining clean.

The point is, I didn’t have symptoms, fact is the surgeon, said that I probably wouldn’t have had symptoms for another 5 years. My surgery was easier because of two things:

1. We caught it early

2. My dropping 70 pounds over the last year.

So, if you are over 40, eat your pride, drop your drawers and try and relax, it could save your life.

[gowalking 10,790]

Glad the prognosis is good Terry. Will you undergo radiation or is that not needed with the prostate removed?

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

Glad the prognosis is good Terry. Will you undergo radiation or is that not needed with the prostate removed?

Because they caught it early, because it was contained, no chemo, no radiation. For the next 5 years they will watch my PSA for a reoccurrence, after that I am clear.

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

There is a lot of FUD right now about how effective a yearly PSA test is, even to the point of recommending that guys consider not having it checked on a yearly basis. I personally have mine tested every year and have been watching PSA climb over the last several years, and when I went in for this year’s physical, my PCP kicked me back to a urologist for a biopsy, and the biopsy came back positive for prostate cancer. 2 weeks ago yesterday, I had my prostate removed, walked out of the hospital 24 hours later, got my pathology report back 5 days later showing that the cancer was contained in the prostate and I had a 90% of remaining clean. The point is, I didn’t have symptoms, fact is the surgeon, said that I probably wouldn’t have had symptoms for another 5 years. My surgery was easier because of two things: 1. We caught it early 2. My dropping 70 pounds over the last year. So, if you are over 40, eat your pride, drop your drawers and try and relax, it could save your life.

Terry I am so happy for you!!! Feel better

[gowalking 10,790]

Oh that's good to hear.

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

Omg , glad they caught it early , sorry to hear you had to have surgery though , but you know it does help that we have lost weight , nice to hear things are o k with you and you know I check on people from time to time , now back to family and your journey to a better healthy life.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Glad to hear it was a good outcome. Thank you for this important information.

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi Terry, so glad for this positive outcome and for modern science -- hope you're feeling better and back to exercising soon. I am going to remind my husband to make that appointment.

[Jim1967 3,569]

Hi Terry,

Glad to hear they caught it early and your on track for a great recovery. I have been getting mine checked yearly as well since my Uncle died from it many years ago. I started early (if there is such a thing) and had my first when I was 35. I make sure to stay on top of it since my Father had prostate and bladder cancer. He had to have his bladder taken about 3 years ago and top of it had lung cancer as well. He's a fighter indeed. Cancer has taken a lot of familiy far too soon.

Great advice

[cheryl2586 3,053]

Glad they caught it Terry. People don't realize the importance of these things. Prostate and colon cancer are two big things that if caught early can be cured. Well men are stubborn and I make sure my husband goes and gets a physical every year. The same with women and breast exams and mammo's. My sister had double mastectomies a year ago because of stage four breast cancer. Thank goodness it was contained and did not affect the lymph nodes yet.

[Sharpie 3,306]

Terry , so glad you caught this early. Early detection is so important with Cancer. My husband had esophageal cancer several years ago and he caught it very early on so received the necessary chemo and radiation quickly. Sounds like your surgery and treatment is successful. Best of Luck and healthy healing.

[labwalker 1,177]

Terry, I am curious about your "dropping your drawers" comment... my doctor is adamant that a digital exam wouldn't reveal prostrate cancer... but he does an annual PSA screening, which I am thankful for having done. I am curious what revealed your cancer? Digital exam, or PSA numbers creeping higher?

I guess I am lucky in that my PSA is holding at 0.8 since I first had it done several years ago.

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

Terry, I am curious about your "dropping your drawers" comment... my doctor is adamant that a digital exam wouldn't reveal prostrate cancer... but he does an annual PSA screening, which I am thankful for having done. I am curious what revealed your cancer? Digital exam, or PSA numbers creeping higher?

I guess I am lucky in that my PSA is holding at 0.8 since I first had it done several years ago.

Well, I'm not a medical professional but I have been to 4 different urologists over the past several years, and each one of them insisted on sticking his finger were the sun doesn't shine.

Here is what I learned from my years battling my prostate:

1. A rising PSA doesn't mean you have cancer (Often caused by infection)

2. Cancer doesn't always cause your PSA to rise.

3. According to my urologist, digital manipulation allows the Dr. to gauge size and texture (i.e. a hard spot indicates a tumor). FYI, the last urologist did a digital manipulation knowing that I had cancer, because it gave him more information about the stage of the disease.

What revealed my tumor was a 21 needle biopsy which found cancer in three of the 21 samples. One of those was an aggressive strain.

Edited July 9, 2014 by Terry Poperszky

[labwalker 1,177]

I'll be sure to question my doc this fall when I go back for my semi annual visit. The older I get the more I worry about these things.