While in training this week, one of the women shared that she helped out at her Church with a PSA screening. She stated that the DR told her "Men who sleep around get prostate cancer more often" I unfortunately attacked the messenger and about jumped across the room yelling about how inaccurate that statement was. I did apologize for my reaction and then informed the class about PSA and getting a base line. I think a few of the women will be having their fathers and husbands get tested. So something positive probably came from it. The woman next to me said "can you die from that?" and one of the guys sitting in the back said "how do you catch prostate cancer?"
Why share this with you???? Are there really some Drs out there that are that uninformed? I am dumbfounded about the level of ignorance within a small group of people. There are 17 people in my class and those comments came from 3 different people. I think we (in general) need to do a better job of getting some basic info out in the public.
I just needed to vent a bit!!!!
Hope you are all having a great week and will have a good weekend.
FYI, I passed my firearms qualification this week!! Woo-hoo
well, that would explain it. My wild youth did me in.
:)
but it was more likely genetics. Or so I will swear to my wife and mother.
The germ of truth to what was blown out of proportion is perhaps the connection between prostate cancer and an STD, Trichomoniasis, that was discovered a few years ago. Men who have had Trichomoniasis are a little more likely to get prostate cancer, and it is far more likely to be aggressive/deadly if they do.
http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20090911/std-linked-to-prostate-cancer
http://urology.jhu.edu/newsletter/prostate_cancer_discovery_924.php
There was also a study in 2009 (http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20090127/**********-and-prostate-cancer-risk) that appeared to show a correlation between frequent sex and prostate cancer, but other studies contradicted that.
Galileo
Dx Feb 2006, PSA 9 @age 43
RRP Apr 2006 - Gleason 3+4, T2c, NX MX, pos margins
PSA 5/06 <0.1, 8/06 0.2, 12/06 0.6, 1/07 0.7.
Salvage radiation (IMRT) Jan-Mar 2007
PSA 9/2007 and thereafter <0.1
pcabefore50.blogspot.com
:)
but it was more likely genetics. Or so I will swear to my wife and mother.
The germ of truth to what was blown out of proportion is perhaps the connection between prostate cancer and an STD, Trichomoniasis, that was discovered a few years ago. Men who have had Trichomoniasis are a little more likely to get prostate cancer, and it is far more likely to be aggressive/deadly if they do.
http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20090911/std-linked-to-prostate-cancer
http://urology.jhu.edu/newsletter/prostate_cancer_discovery_924.php
There was also a study in 2009 (http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20090127/**********-and-prostate-cancer-risk) that appeared to show a correlation between frequent sex and prostate cancer, but other studies contradicted that.
Galileo
Dx Feb 2006, PSA 9 @age 43
RRP Apr 2006 - Gleason 3+4, T2c, NX MX, pos margins
PSA 5/06 <0.1, 8/06 0.2, 12/06 0.6, 1/07 0.7.
Salvage radiation (IMRT) Jan-Mar 2007
PSA 9/2007 and thereafter <0.1
pcabefore50.blogspot.com
I got it from a toilet seat. Honest! 
Actually, the level of ignorance is pretty appalling. The amount of public attention PCa has received compared to, say breast cancer, is pretty dismal. Unfortunately, doctors seem to be part of the problem.
Until there's an organization for PCa on the level of the Susan G. Komen foundation, prostate cancer will be poorly understood and men who struggle with it will struggle that much more due to ignorance.
Actually, the level of ignorance is pretty appalling. The amount of public attention PCa has received compared to, say breast cancer, is pretty dismal. Unfortunately, doctors seem to be part of the problem.
Until there's an organization for PCa on the level of the Susan G. Komen foundation, prostate cancer will be poorly understood and men who struggle with it will struggle that much more due to ignorance.
I always wondered how I got it. 
Rodger.
Age 59 at diagnosis
PSA 9
Biopsy positive 4+3=7
15 May 2010
Gleason 4+3=7
Stage T2B
Perineum invasion
PSA at 3 months=undetectable
6 month PSA still 0.03
12 Mth PSA 0.04
18 Mth 0.03
2 Yr 0.03
Incontinance no problem
ED was 100% now No Problem
The amount of ignorance out there always amazes me.
and if they don't believe you, just mention you qualified on the weapons range. ;)
I'll be in the shop.
Age 52
PSA 4.2 10/2011
GS 3+4
Stage T1C
2 out of 14 cores positive
Treatment IGRT - 2/2012
My PC blog
and if they don't believe you, just mention you qualified on the weapons range. ;)
I'll be in the shop.
Age 52
PSA 4.2 10/2011
GS 3+4
Stage T1C
2 out of 14 cores positive
Treatment IGRT - 2/2012
My PC blog
so funny!!!!
Husband 39 at diagnosis 12/2010.
No symptoms, PSA 18 in 10/2010
one month antibiotic then PSA 12.6 in 11/2010
biopsy end of 11/2010 Gleason 6
Da Vinci prostatectomy 2/2/2011
Taking 20 mg levitra daily June 2011.
Feb 2012 - 1 year post surgery PSA = undetectable
Low T - started Androgel Feb 2012
Started Trimix Feb 2012
staging: pT2aNo, Gleason6
Husband 39 at diagnosis 12/2010.
No symptoms, PSA 18 in 10/2010
one month antibiotic then PSA 12.6 in 11/2010
biopsy end of 11/2010 Gleason 6
Da Vinci prostatectomy 2/2/2011
Taking 20 mg levitra daily June 2011.
Feb 2012 - 1 year post surgery PSA = undetectable
Low T - started Androgel Feb 2012
Started Trimix Feb 2012
staging: pT2aNo, Gleason6
Okay and my eyesite is gettind bad and hair grows on my palms for another reason.lol
Dx6/06 age 42 psa3216 bone mets lung mets lymph mets mass growing into bladder
Lupron/Cassodex psa dropped to <0.05 all scans clear on jan. 09
2010/2011 lupron holiday and 6 months d.e.s.
Psa rising 6/11 5.3, 12/11 10.55, 2/12 21.42
Currently seeking provenge.
Bone scan 2/20/12 clearg
cat scan 2/17/12 1 nodule lower lobe right lung 1.5cm square
I start Provenge therapy on April 24
Psa irrelevent
Dx6/06 age 42 psa3216 bone mets lung mets lymph mets mass growing into bladder
Lupron/Cassodex psa dropped to <0.05 all scans clear on jan. 09
2010/2011 lupron holiday and 6 months d.e.s.
Psa rising 6/11 5.3, 12/11 10.55, 2/12 21.42
Currently seeking provenge.
Bone scan 2/20/12 clearg
cat scan 2/17/12 1 nodule lower lobe right lung 1.5cm square
I start Provenge therapy on April 24
Psa irrelevent
Just as there have been medical studies that suggest red wine is good for your heart one month - then bad for you the next month - the same can be said for those searching for the cause(s) of prostate cancer.
This particular region of study is based on the belief that changes to the prostate itself -inflammation - infections - can trigger prostate cancer. Here is one article link:
http://prostatecancer.about.com/b/2009/02/24/new-link-between-stds-and-prostate-cancer.htm
-keep up the good work Susan,
hugs,
Bronson
p.s. do a cut and paste - when I try to make it active - it messes up-
This particular region of study is based on the belief that changes to the prostate itself -inflammation - infections - can trigger prostate cancer. Here is one article link:
http://prostatecancer.about.com/b/2009/02/24/new-link-between-stds-and-prostate-cancer.htm
-keep up the good work Susan,
hugs,
Bronson
p.s. do a cut and paste - when I try to make it active - it messes up-
Post Edited (tatt2man) : 5/19/2012 6:22:47 PM (GMT-6)
Bronson
That link is not working for me!
S.
That link is not working for me!
S.
It’s truly amazing how some patients deify their doctors, even in light of the stupid stuff they say or clearly don’t understand. But on the other hand, we sometimes assume that they know everything about everything and that just isn’t practical; so our fault for assuming too much?? Your examples, Susan, should be enlightening, but unfortunately will be forgotten tomorrow.
This fact is the foundation, of course, for the mantra here at HW for people to become educated and empowered patients!
Good job slapping the stupid **** down!
By the way, has anyone ever seen a legit medical study that says a glass of red wine per day is actually bad for you?? I didn’t think so. Key words: legit, study, bad.
Bronson -
regarding a possible link between cancer and infections, I watched this video clip just yesterday.
video.foxnews.com/v/1636141609001/
Here they say that 1 in 6 cancers are possibly the result of infections.
regarding a possible link between cancer and infections, I watched this video clip just yesterday.
video.foxnews.com/v/1636141609001/
Here they say that 1 in 6 cancers are possibly the result of infections.
Hi Susan...have been thinking of you...glad you passed the firearms qualification.
You go girl!
Husband...age 69..70/July
Diagnosed PC 12/09 DRE, PSA unreliable (1.7)
Lpros-poorly differentiated Prostatic Adenocarcinoma GS 5+5=10 (#1,2,5,6,9,10)
Rpros-same as above GS 5+5=10 (#3,4,8,11)
Radiation and Brachytherapy HT ED continues
You go girl!
Husband...age 69..70/July
Diagnosed PC 12/09 DRE, PSA unreliable (1.7)
Lpros-poorly differentiated Prostatic Adenocarcinoma GS 5+5=10 (#1,2,5,6,9,10)
Rpros-same as above GS 5+5=10 (#3,4,8,11)
Radiation and Brachytherapy HT ED continues
I wouldn't be surprized if someone said it is caused by invading aliens or something out of a twilight zone episode or movie theatre viral concept thing. Hey, I think I found a pod last night lying beside my bed, I might have even seen Donald Sutherland walking by too!!!! LOL- (aka- Body Snatchers movie) A true classic that kids would have nightmares about. I won't comment on the perfection of diagnosis, treatments, options, protocols, pathology, biopsies and opinions....all that is found in 'The Twilight Zone'. Our lives are the reality t.v. version of it all. I have wondered about some of my early docs and their mindset, probably they were alien abuctions (lol) and reprogrammed, so that they could treat us patients a certain way. Some seemed a little to Lupey to me (the Lupron Injectors), might make a good movie too, just on that idea!
Well, being from the deep SOUTH, I thought that getting PC came from eating too much grits and gravy as a kid!
.diagnosed May 2011..5 of 12 biopsy samples positive
.surgery June 2011
.before surgery PSA 2.2...bone scan negative
.post surgery PSA 0.02 ...4/18 PSA 0.02
.ED only remaining SE
.Age 78
.diagnosed May 2011..5 of 12 biopsy samples positive
.surgery June 2011
.before surgery PSA 2.2...bone scan negative
.post surgery PSA 0.02 ...4/18 PSA 0.02
.ED only remaining SE
.Age 78
ICECAT .
I just have to ask what on earth are grits???
Rodger. 
Age 59 at diagnosis
PSA 9
Biopsy positive 4+3=7
15 May 2010
Gleason 4+3=7
Stage T2B
Perineum invasion
PSA at 3 months=undetectable
6 month PSA still 0.03
12 Mth PSA 0.04
18 Mth 0.03
2 Yr 0.03
Incontinance no problem
ED was 100% now No Problem
Age 59 at diagnosis
PSA 9
Biopsy positive 4+3=7
15 May 2010
Gleason 4+3=7
Stage T2B
Perineum invasion
PSA at 3 months=undetectable
6 month PSA still 0.03
12 Mth PSA 0.04
18 Mth 0.03
2 Yr 0.03
Incontinance no problem
ED was 100% now No Problem
from Wikipedia:
Grits (also sometimes called sofkee or sofkey from the Muskogee word) are a food of Native American origin common in the Southern United States and mainly eaten at breakfast. They consist of coarsely ground corn, or sometimes alkali-treated corn (hominy). Grits are similar to other thick maize-based porridges from around the world, such as polenta, or the thinner farina.
Grits are usually prepared by adding one part grits to two-to-three parts boiling water, sometimes seasoned with salt or sugar. They are usually cooked for 5–10 minutes for "quick" grits or 20 or more minutes for whole kernel grits, or until the water is absorbed and the grits become a porridge-like consistency. As grits expand when they are cooked, they need to be stirred periodically to prevent sticking and forming lumps. They may be served with grated cheese, butter, sausage or country ham red-eye gravy. Grits have also been known to be served with fish such as fried catfish or salmon croquettes. Shrimp and grits is considered a breakfast delicacy in the Low Country of coastal South Carolina. Another popular variant is Charleston-style grits, where the grits are boiled in milk, instead of water, to give them a creamy consistency.
Grits can also be fried in a pan or molded to create a firm block; the resulting block can be cut with a knife or wire, and the slices fried in a fat such as vegetable oil, butter, or bacon grease.
The word "grits" derives from the Old English word "grytt," meaning coarse meal. This word originally referred to wheat and other porridges now known as groats in parts of the U.K., maize being unknown in Europe in the Middle Ages. The word "grits" is one of the few words that may properly be used as either singular or plural in writing or speech and can be used with a singular or plural verb.
The word "grits", referring to a food, should not be confused with "grit", which can mean either "courage" or "a small particle, like fine sand".
Regular definition of any true southern person: Grits are a heavenly, true southern concoction that makes breakfast greater and life more fulfilling. Most likely if you ain't southern (USA) then you won't like them or won't understand their deliciousness. I like mine with sugar and butter, or poured over my biscuits and gravy.
James C, 65, A Better Man, Injections? Read This
4/07: PSA 7.6, 3/16 PCa, 5% inv, lf. lobe, GS6
9/07: open RP, Path: pT2c, 110 gms., Prob. micro.inv.-left apical margin -GS6
4 Yrs: .04 'til 4/10-.06, 12/10-.09, 5/11-.08, 9/11-.14, 2/12-.10
Grits (also sometimes called sofkee or sofkey from the Muskogee word) are a food of Native American origin common in the Southern United States and mainly eaten at breakfast. They consist of coarsely ground corn, or sometimes alkali-treated corn (hominy). Grits are similar to other thick maize-based porridges from around the world, such as polenta, or the thinner farina.
Grits are usually prepared by adding one part grits to two-to-three parts boiling water, sometimes seasoned with salt or sugar. They are usually cooked for 5–10 minutes for "quick" grits or 20 or more minutes for whole kernel grits, or until the water is absorbed and the grits become a porridge-like consistency. As grits expand when they are cooked, they need to be stirred periodically to prevent sticking and forming lumps. They may be served with grated cheese, butter, sausage or country ham red-eye gravy. Grits have also been known to be served with fish such as fried catfish or salmon croquettes. Shrimp and grits is considered a breakfast delicacy in the Low Country of coastal South Carolina. Another popular variant is Charleston-style grits, where the grits are boiled in milk, instead of water, to give them a creamy consistency.
Grits can also be fried in a pan or molded to create a firm block; the resulting block can be cut with a knife or wire, and the slices fried in a fat such as vegetable oil, butter, or bacon grease.
The word "grits" derives from the Old English word "grytt," meaning coarse meal. This word originally referred to wheat and other porridges now known as groats in parts of the U.K., maize being unknown in Europe in the Middle Ages. The word "grits" is one of the few words that may properly be used as either singular or plural in writing or speech and can be used with a singular or plural verb.
The word "grits", referring to a food, should not be confused with "grit", which can mean either "courage" or "a small particle, like fine sand".
Regular definition of any true southern person: Grits are a heavenly, true southern concoction that makes breakfast greater and life more fulfilling. Most likely if you ain't southern (USA) then you won't like them or won't understand their deliciousness. I like mine with sugar and butter, or poured over my biscuits and gravy.
James C, 65, A Better Man, Injections? Read This
4/07: PSA 7.6, 3/16 PCa, 5% inv, lf. lobe, GS6
9/07: open RP, Path: pT2c, 110 gms., Prob. micro.inv.-left apical margin -GS6
4 Yrs: .04 'til 4/10-.06, 12/10-.09, 5/11-.08, 9/11-.14, 2/12-.10
Thank you James.
Im surprised that it is a breakfast I thought it may be similar to what we call Bubble and Squeak.(Left overs)
Bubble and Squeak in this Bubble and Squeak recipe is the name for fried left-over vegetables from Sunday Lunch. Traditionally it would be eaten on a Monday for lunch or dinner with a fried egg, bacon, or meat leftovers. There is no specific recipe it is simply a way of using up whatever you have left from dinner. One main component is mashed potatoes which is the glue holding all the other vegetables together and often, but not always cabbage.
Rodger.
I love some Shrimp and Grits. Many morning I will have grits and eggs.
Cajun Jeff
9/08 PSA 5.4 referred to Urologist
9/08 Biopsy: GS 3+4=7 1 positive core in 12 1% cancer core
10/08 Nerve-Sparing open radicalSurgery Path Report Downgrade 3+3=6 GS Stage pT2c margins clea
r3 month: PSA <0.1
19th month: PSA <0.1
2 year PSA <0.1
Only issue at this time is ED but getting better
Cajun Jeff
9/08 PSA 5.4 referred to Urologist
9/08 Biopsy: GS 3+4=7 1 positive core in 12 1% cancer core
10/08 Nerve-Sparing open radicalSurgery Path Report Downgrade 3+3=6 GS Stage pT2c margins clea
r3 month: PSA <0.1
19th month: PSA <0.1
2 year PSA <0.1
Only issue at this time is ED but getting better
I just have to ask what on earth are grits???
in botswana it's a staple but they call it maize (ground corn). when i lost all that weight last year i ate a small bowl of grits most mornings seasoned with salt, pepper and a dab of margarine.
ed
age: 57
PSA on 12/09: 6.8
gleason 3+4 = 7
HT, BT and IGRT
received 3rd and last lupron shot 9/14/10
2/8/11 PSA <.1, T= 6 ng/dl
6/8/11 PSA .2, T = 540 ng/dl
8/19/11 PSA .3, T = 487 ng/dl
10/5/11 PSA .2, T = 530 ng/dl
3/1/12 PSA .3
In some towns in the south, it is required, by law, for restaurants to serve grits with any breakfast order. 
We often have cheese grits mixed up with sausage for an easy breakfast at home.
At one of my favorite southern, fine-dining restaurants, the salad croutons are made of grits.