| #5 I was diagnosed three and a half years ago with prostate cancer and treated in the same way as Gen. Petraeus. My doctor said that if you are going to get any kind of cancer this is the most treatable---unless it goes to advanced metastasized PC and gets into the bones. I do think cancer can be stress-related as stress impacts the immune system. The two factors reported in the research literature that I could find that are most strongly related to prostate cancer are age and heredity. I was surprised to learn how little is known about this disease. Early stage prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, radioactive seed implants, external beam radiation. The outcomes are all about the same regardless of treatment with early stage prostate cancer--it is mostly a matter of preference. Chemo is not given except in advanced cases of metastasized PC. There are some interesting developments in PC treatment among which are the Provenge vaccine and proton beam therapy. For men who are getting older and have close relatives such as your father or brother who might have had PC, it is good to get an annual digital rectal exam and PSA test. There is some controversy about the PSA test concerning the over-treatment of slow-growing not particularly aggressive forms of prostate cancer. One would ordinarly get a biopsy if the digital rectal exam and PSA test were positive. The biopsy usually consists of at least 12 needle samples taken between the anus and testicles but in the prostate gland. Maybe this is an over-discussion of this topic but I thought it might help someone. I sincerely hope Gen. Petraeus is successful in his treatment. The odds are in his favor since he caught it early and treated it early. Anyway prayers for Gen. Petraeus and his family. |