Prostate cancer?

I realize that this is a climbing forum. And this specifically is a accident or injury forum. However, considering this site is likely mostly male, with a broad age gap, I feel like I can get a good amount of help/info here. If anyone feels this is not the time or place, I apologize. If the mods feel they need to delete it, ok.

Anyway. My father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is around 55 years young. All I know at this point is that his bone scan and bladder scan were ok. And that he has been classified as a number 4, whatever that means. Anyway, given that tiny bit of info, what do you guys think? How serious is prostate cancer? I know i know, its cancer, but I have heard that if your going to get cancer, prostate cancer is the one you would want to have versus some other forms.

If you yourself have survived it, I would be interested in the details, if you are comfortable and willing to share. If not on a public forum, I can be emailed using the message feature. Thanks in advance guys (and gals). My grandmother passed away from lung cancer, def dont want my father to have to go through something similar. He def doesnt deserve this. I know cancer doesnt discriminate.

My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer this past year at 63. It was caught in the early stages as he had been getting regular checkups and his PSA came back high. He had his prostate removed and the cancer had not spread. He is currently cancer free and doing well. Find the best doc that you can find, as surgery can lead to bladder problems or lack of control in that area. Good luck.

My Father's best friend and long time climbing partner died a few years ago from cancer. It started as prostate, he for whatever reason was fearful of seeking aggressive treatment, and it spread to his bladder. By the time he submitted to surgery it was too late, and my Dad had to spread his ashes off of castle rock, he was about 60. I still climb with some of his rack to this day. Don't mess with it, get your Dad on whatever treatment he needs asap. I am a medical herbalist and have studied natural healing for years, but zap that shit with the nasty rays man.

Thanks everyone. And Im sorry to hear about your grandpa john. highlander, Im glad to hear your father is in remission and doing well! Thanks for the tips Evan. He had his bladder checked yesterday and woke up to the doc giving him a thumbs up. He had a bone scan last week and were just waiting for the results to be read by the doc.

thanks again guys. Im hoping he caught it in time. Seems as though there is a similar story in all of this, that these men didnt really believe in getting checked by a doc, as is the case with my father. Hopefully he got lucky and they caught it in time. He is willing to do whatever it takes....and if he isnt, I am.

If by classified as a number 4, you mean Stage 4-The docs feel there is involvement of one or more organs and possible lymph node involvement. The results of the bone scan are important. This will help define staging, as well.

Much of the anecdotes shared are quality. You are right, regular checks and early diagnosis/treatment are optimal.

But there have been a lot of advances in Prostate CA in the last 10 years. Outcomes have improved even for those across the stages. Encourage your dad (once the diagnosis has been staged/full tissue involvement staged) to take all the results to one more specialist. Most oncologist are open to this and will even coordinate the second review.

Treatments can include radiation (sometimes multi-site) and surgery. I went to grad school with this Doc ( dukehealth.org/physicians/w… ) . He is a smart doctor and compassionate. This is his field of expertise. He might be at least a resource for your family.

Either is rough going. Your dad is going to need support and encouragement. If he has the surgery, be sure to ask for a home health nurse. Most insurance companies will auth a few visits after surgery. It's a complex surgery with it's own complications and management, all the while dealing with the CA stuff.

I will send good thoughts your family's way and hope that the results of the bone scan are clear.

thanks a lot boo. Means a lot to me right now. Im not sure what that number means. To be honest. My mother said that my grandfather was a number 8 when he was diagnosed. And my father is a 4. So im not sure if it relates to the involvement of other organs. I certainly friggin hope thats not the case :(

EDIT...I believe this is exactly what they were talking about.

Definition:
Gleason scorelisten (GLEE-sun...)

A system of grading prostate cancer tissue based on how it looks under a microscope. Gleason scores range from 2 to 10 and indicate how likely it is that a tumor will spread. A low Gleason score means the cancer tissue is similar to normal prostate tissue and the tumor is less likely to spread; a high Gleason score means the cancer tissue is very different from normal and the tumor is more likely to spread.

I'm sorry to hear about the battles your friends and family have had to fight with Prostate cancer.

Not sure if this is the time, but, Pretty much every man who lives long enough will get prostate cancer. Its usually very treatable if caught in its early stages. SO!! All of you should get checked regularly!

Best of luck to those who are currently fighting the battle.

josh

J. Thompson wrote:Not sure if this is the time, but, Pretty much every man who lives long enough will get prostate cancer. Its usually very treatable if caught in its early stages. SO!! All of you should get checked regularly!

Ok, that value makes way more sense with how you described him initially. I was referring to a general staging scale. As you found, Gleason is tissue specific.

Ask lots of questions and read as much as you can. The more you understand; the better help you will to him.