AFF Cancer Survivors Thread

[Pushka]

MrP recently had a health screen courtesy of the Australian Cricketers Association. And molemap suggested melanoma on top of his shoulder. Lucky an appt opened up with the Dermatologist a few days later and he is confident it isn't. Just monitor for change. Not used to instant negatives! I'll take it though.

As an aside they gave the guys the choice of smoothies. Several flavours. One well known ex test cricketer suggested mrP try a particular flavour. He'd sampled all of them. Of course a couple of weeks ago ACA announced that the smoothies contained the frozen fruit subject to recall. Haven't heard of any HepA complications yet.

 

[drross]

MrP recently had a health screen courtesy of the Australian Cricketers Association. And molemap suggested melanoma on top of his shoulder. Lucky an appt opened up with the Dermatologist a few days later and he is confident it isn't. Just monitor for change. Not used to instant negatives! I'll take it though.

As an aside they gave the guys the choice of smoothies. Several flavours. One well known ex test cricketer suggested mrP try a particular flavour. He'd sampled all of them. Of course a couple of weeks ago ACA announced that the smoothies contained the frozen fruit subject to recall. Haven't heard of any HepA complications yet.

the machines aren't infallable...but maybe MrP should have the spot off anyway

 

[QF WP]

Read this article this afternoon:

A POTENTIAL OVARIAN CANCER BREAKTHROUGH

Researchers may have developed a screening test that could detect twice as many cases

https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/prevention/a/27656910/a-potential-ovarian-cancer-breakthrough/?cmp=ydn

I love R&D

 

[QF WP]

I haven't shared lately how much I hate cancer. Looks like it is about to claim another:

 

[Buzzard]

Sporting a hole in my head following the removal of my third skin cancer, this one an SCC the other two BCC's, the plastic surgeon that carried out the proceedure tells me that a skin cancer check every 12 months is not on.
Every 6 months he tells me, let's catch these things as early as possible so that if something is found there will be less invasive surgery required.

So for all you AFFers out there that don't get proper skin cancer checks, please go to a specialist clinic, at least once a year. Even if you get negative results each year, just keep going. Please.
A negative result is what you want.

 

[FxTrader]

Just had a ~9cm dia ball of Prostate cancer removed by a nice robot and surgeon team working for 4.5 hours. 6 weeks to know if I'm clear or back for radiation. PSA was 4.7 so it was not telling the truth.

What can I say but:

GET YOUR PROSTATE PHYSICALLY CHECKED / SCANNED.

 

[Buzzard]

Just had a ~9cm dia ball of Prostate cancer removed by a nice robot and surgeon team working for 4.5 hours. 6 weeks to know if I'm clear or back for radiation. PSA was 4.7 so it was not telling the truth.

What can I say but:

GET YOUR PROSTATE PHYSICALLY CHECKED / SCANNED.

Yes, I agree. I was meant to have a biopsy over a year ago but didn't go back. With a PSA around 9 I should get cracking. I used to have a test every 3 months.
I wish you a speedy recovery and a good result FxTrader.

 

[JohnM]

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer just over four years ago. That first biopsy showed a small low-score (Gleason 3+3) focus.

I opted for active surveillance. Since then, I've had two further biopsies and, most recently, an MRI scan. PSA is monitored 6-monthly (but PSA is a very loose guide).

Each biopsy has shown a very similar pattern in the same location (that consistency is a good thing in itself, as needle biopsies are very small samples and there is an anterior 'shadow' area that trans-rectal biopsies can't avoid) of low-grade tumour.

A diagnosis of PCa is not a death sentence, nor is it necessarily a trigger to take aggressive action. The key thing, once diagnosed, is to monitor regularly and be prepared to act decisively should the situation take a turn for the worse (notably a re-staging that identifies a 4 score in the bi-modal Gleason schema).

 

[penegal]

I have not had the experience yet, but given a significant family history, I am very likely to have Prostate Cancer in the next 10-15 years (assuming I live that long...).

I have started regular tests (despite the unpleasantness), and fortunately all is okay at the moment.

 

[JohnM]

I have not had the experience yet, but given a significant family history, I am very likely to have Prostate Cancer in the next 10-15 years (assuming I live that long...).

I have started regular tests (despite the unpleasantness), and fortunately all is okay at the moment.

We do need to talk over dinner.

 

[Buzzard]

I first had prostate surgery when I was about 35. It wasn't cancer, just a somewhat enlarged prostate that was causing me problems. I wonder if that puts me in some sort of high risk category? My last biopsy a few years back was negative.

 

[JohnM]

I first had prostate surgery when I was about 35. It wasn't cancer, just a somewhat enlarged prostate that was causing me problems. I wonder if that puts me in some sort of high risk category? My last biopsy a few years back was negative.

My understanding, from the literature, is that there is not an increased risk of PCa with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia - aka enlargement of the prostate) - but they can occur concurrently.

Did you have a TURP (trans urethral resection of the prostate - aka a 'rebore'?). 35 is young for it.

 

[QF WP]

I have not had the experience yet, but given a significant family history, I am very likely to have Prostate Cancer in the next 10-15 years (assuming I live that long...).

I have started regular tests (despite the unpleasantness), and fortunately all is okay at the moment.

Seems that we share some commonality then - I have yet to start the testing process though . My father had a Gleason 5+4 and his twin brother 4+3 a few years earlier. Both of them had IIRC a capsule injected into the prostate and thankfully both have been successful, however it probably won't last.

We do need to talk over dinner.

Save me a seat then at the table will you...make sure there is a decent bottle of red

My understanding, from the literature, is that there is not an increased risk of PCa with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia - aka enlargement of the prostate) - but they can occur concurrently.

Did you have a TURP (trans urethral resection of the prostate - aka a 'rebore'?). 35 is young for it.

My recollection is that once you've had a re-bore, you can't treat it with radiation later in the event of a further episode. So many things to consider

 

[drross]

Seems that we share some commonality then - I have yet to start the testing process though . My father had a Gleason 5+4 and his twin brother 4+3 a few years earlier. Both of them had IIRC a capsule injected into the prostate and thankfully both have been successful, however it probably won't last.



Save me a seat then at the table will you...make sure there is a decent bottle of red


My recollection is that once you've had a re-bore, you can't treat it with radiation later in the event of a further episode. So many things to consider

so long as no radiation used with the rebore, can have it later on if needed

 

[medhead]

Is Mri the best imaging modality for prostate. I thought some of the PET tracers were good at going to prostate cancer.

Asked as a complete novice on imaging efficacy.

 

[JohnM]

Is Mri the best imaging modality for prostate. I thought some of the PET tracers were good at going to prostate cancer.

Asked as a complete novice on imaging efficacy.

I have seen no mention of PET imaging for PCa. MRI has only become useful with the recent more powerful (3 Tesla or so?) devices, as I understand it.

MRI is supplementary to biopsy, not a replacement.

 

[Buzzard]

My understanding, from the literature, is that there is not an increased risk of PCa with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia - aka enlargement of the prostate) - but they can occur concurrently.

Did you have a TURP (trans urethral resection of the prostate - aka a 'rebore'?). 35 is young for it.

Sorry JohnM but I am not sure exactly what to call the proceedure.
All I can tell you is that yes, it was via the urethra and that some of the prostate was cut away IIRC. My wife always tells me I should keep some sort of medical diary.
Let's just say that after the proceedure I could put out fires!
I remember my urologist saying to me that he hears "these problems" all day long, the only difference is that the patients are usually 65 not 35.

 

[JohnM]

Sorry JohnM but I am not sure exactly what to call the proceedure.
All I can tell you is that yes, it was via the urethra and that some of the prostate was cut away IIRC. My wife always tells me I should keep some sort of medical diary.
Let's just say that after the proceedure I could put out fires!
I remember my urologist saying to me that he hears "these problems" all day long, the only difference is that the patients are usually 65 not 35.

That's it: a TURP or, colloquially, a 'rebore'. BPH is generally associated with age - hence why most older men need to get up to pee during the night.

Sounds like you had a very good result on the urinary front. A TURP can also result in so-called 'retrograde ejaculation' where the cough goes 'backwards' into the bladder.

 

[Buzzard]

Thanks for clearing that up JohnM, appreciated.

 

[QF WP]

Nice to see some advances....

https://t.co/8YbdQH6BTU