New Prostate Cancer Tests Could Reduce False Alarms

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

1. Too late for me

When I turned 61 my PSA suddenly peaked. After a biopsy and a second opinion my urologist was more than happy to perform a prostatectomy. When the lab examined the prostate and the cells removed from surrounding tissue, however, they found zero cancer cells. Zero. The side effects of the operation suck.

If I had to do it again I would get as many tests as possible, from as many different labs as possible, until I felt absolutely positive of the diagnosis. I would not allow anyone to rush me into making a decision. (This my first major operation so I thought doctors were gods, not humans with egos and the same frailties as the rest of us.) I would also use the da Vinci Surgical System -- a friend didn't have the side effects after an operation with that machine. Unfortunately that option wasn't available under my HMO.

There are lots of websites with suggestions for preventing prostate cancer and your options if you get a positive result. I'd highly suggest checking some of them out.