I get to play with a new machine for the next 8 weeks

[The Artful Bodger]

That's what they said about my father-in-law when he was in his early 80s. It got him not too long after his 90th birthday...

-bill

I am sorry to hear about your father-in-law. It is always a challenge to know what is the best for older men as the treatment is not without risk and prostate cancer, usually, progresses quite slowly in old age.

On the other hand, younger men in their 40's or so may have a quite short time after diagnosis unless treated.

[oil mac]

Ernie,
Sorry to hear of your problem, & you have my thoughts and prayers for a good outcome, I also was having a grim time over the last two years, The docs have recently given me a psa test, which turned out good I was due a bladder test in a few months, as i had a suspicious growth removed a year ago, Fortunately? itook ill about a month ago, and the surgeon had a quick look two weeks ago, inside the bladder, He has found another one of the bastards, He says he will get rid of it no problem,
Listen guys, dont neglect getting your prostate checked, Forget the embarrasment To the medical folk, we are their patient, they see hundreds of us , and their first premise helping us to get us better For a few moments of discomfort, it is nothing to saving your life The bladder exam is worth it for me every year in the interest of my welfare.

[EddyCurr]

Some might be familiar with author, speaker and one-time envelope
magnate Harvey Mackay.

Decades ago, Mr Mackay spoke in my community. While his theme
that night was based on the principals in his book, "Swim With the Sharks"
he took time out for an aside to speak about the importance of PSA
Tests to screen for prostate cancer.

I'd never heard of the Prostrate Specific Antigen test prior to this and
while I was below the age for the group deemed most at risk, I asked
for the test at my next medical exam with a view to establishing a baseline.

Prostate cancer is said to be "the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men
in the United States" (Stanford Medicine). The frequency is the same in my
country.

Despite this, at the time I first requested a PSA test here in Canada and
several times after, I was denied. At one point, upon venting my frustration,
I was told that the test was too expensive to administer higgledy piggledy.
along with a littany of other excuses that are not appropriate for this
thread. When I demanded to know how expensive - I was told $35 !

Sheesh

I paid for the test that first time and several times afterward. At some
point the profession became more enlightened and the test became
available to me under the regular HC coverage.

SFAIK, the PSA is still not a substitute for the digi exam - they complement
each other. I get screened more or less annually.

Incidently, the reason for Mr Mackay's fervor for spreading awareness
about the PSA test back then is due to his personal experience with
prostate cancer. By appearances, Mr Mackay continues live an active
thriving life now, many years after that episode.

Closer to home, I learned that a male family member and several seniors of
my acquaintance had been diagnosed with PC. These gentlemen lived to
ripe old ages and expired due to other causes.

.

[The Artful Bodger]

One thing to keep in mind regarding PSA is that it is not a 'sinister' substance, in fact it is thought to play a part in the reproductive system protecting the little swimmers when they enter a hostile environment!

So every man (who has still got his prostate) should have some PSA and as EddyCurr did it is a great idea to get a base reading at, say, 40 years of age, or earlier if there is history of prostate cancer in your family.

PSA levels can rise for various reason and cancer is only one of them but of course any instance of raised PSA must be investigated.

[The Artful Bodger]

There was this chap who went for the digital examination and asked for a second opinion so the doctor used two fingers!

[EddyCurr]

Highlights from news about a promising study

Virus can attack prostate cancer
CBC News
2010.03.09

Dr. Don Morris, an oncologist at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary
and his colleagues used a reovirus — a respiratory virus commonly found
in the environment — to kill prostate cancer cells.

The experiment involved injecting the reovirus into six prostate cancer
patients, as well as mice models and test-tube studies to check how
well the approach worked.

The reovirus naturally responds to mutations in the Ras pathway found in
cancer cells. In normal cells, antiviral particles neutralize the virus before
it can replicate.

When the reovirus enters tumour cells, though, it causes the cancer cell
to burst and release thousands of viral particles that go on to kill other
cancer cells. The bloodstream also carries particles to adjacent tumours,
which may also regress, the researchers found.

The researchers stressed they don't see reovirus as a cure for cancer,
since it was rare that tumours completely vanished. The injections also
worked better when given along with chemotherapy.

The study was published in Tuesday's online issue Cancer Research, a
journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

.

[dockrat]

Well I’m over the hump now. 19 more sessions to go and not feeling too bad at all. I just have too much time on my hands though. Total time for treatment including the drive there and back is about 1.5 hours. The rest of the day is mine. I’m spending too much time in the tool places. Went into KBC to kill some time and came out $800.00 lighter. New Bison chuck, 5c collet set, collet block set, and a knurling tool. I was blown away by how much Bison has gone up over the last year!! The behind the cab toolbox on my truck is full of offcuts and drops from scrounging at any machine shops I can find. I got to meet Dave (DFMiller from the board) in his shop and we got to have lunch together again the other day. So nice to meet others from the board but I am sure looking forward to getting home and making chips again

[oldtiffie]

Well done Ernie.

Keep us posted on progress.