Entries by Janet
Metastasis Is a Spectrum
News flash: All metastasis is not alike, and the basic category of “metastatic prostate cancer” is being redefined by doctors and scientists even as we speak. It’s not just either-or anymore – either cancer is confined to the prostate area, or it has escaped. It’s actually more of a spectrum, and it is very likely […]
Two Changeable Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer Death
Hey, wait, come back! This story sounds grim, but it’s actually hopeful! There are two things you can do right now that raise your odds of not dying of prostate cancer: Stop smoking, and lose weight. Both of these can make a big difference. For several years now, doctors have known that there was a link […]
TRexit: The Movement to Leave Traditional Prostate Biopsy “Behind”
In Australia, and to a smaller but increasing extent in the U.S., urologists are moving away from the traditional transrectal (TR) biopsy. A much lower risk of infection is a big reason why. Nobody wants a prostate biopsy, but we’re stuck with it. Literally. Multiple times. And for the vast majority of men (more […]
Boomers: Take Care of Your Brain!
Troubling news from a new study, published in the Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences: Baby Boomers’ brains aren’t aging well. Compared to previous generations, Boomers in this ongoing study, of 30,191 Americans over age 50, are experiencing a sharper drop in cognitive function, and are more likely to develop dementia. And… PAUSE! Before we start […]
How to Have Your Best Prostatectomy
Please Read This Before You Go Under the Knife. Nobody thinks a prostatectomy will be a breeze; if anybody tells you that, take it with a big old mental grain of salt. Even with the best surgeon in the world, there will still be some incontinence and erectile dysfunction. But ideally, with exercises, biofeedback if necessary, […]
Beyond PSA: “Second-Line” Tests for Prostate Cancer
Maybe you’re in your 50s, and your PSA is 3. Maybe you’re in your 60s, and it’s 4. Maybe you’re in your 40s, and it’s 2. And maybe, unfortunately, your family doctor seems in no hurry to do anything about it, saying something complacent like, “Your PSA looks good,” or “the government guidelines don’t really […]