The diagnosis and treatment of Prostate cancer is a fast moving field.
I am committed to presenting the most up to date practical information on this site.
Be Optimistic!
The American Society of Clinical Oncology reports that the relative long term survival for men diagnosed with Local and Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer is 98% at 10 years and 96% at 15 years.
It is of the utmost importance to be diagnosed early.
Prostate Cancer – 2020 Vision
Are you frightened of Prostate Cancer? Have you just been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and are apprehensive of the future? Or do you feel the necessity to find out about this disease so that you can remain healthy? Then this site is for you.
I was diagnosed with serious Prostate Cancer in April 2018. I instantly realised how little that I knew about this disease and, as it is cancer, I was of the belief that I was on a very slippery slope. I have a relative who is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease and he has taught me just about everything he knows. Through this website I would like to pass this information on in the hope that it can help readers to understand the disease at a level that is sufficient for them to have a “relaxed” journey – as I did – by knowing how everything “fits together” in the journey.
The reality is that Prostate Cancer, of all the “big” cancers, is the most survivable. Indeed, if men come forward early enough it may be possible to bring deaths from this disease down to approximately zero. This is because Prostate Cancer is a much slower growing cancer than are the other big cancers, and modern technologies are now able to destroy all of the cells of Prostate Cancer bringing the patient back to cancer free life. And the side effects are now so low that the “Quality of Life” of treated men is very high. In my case, despite having serious prostate cancer, I am now cancer free and living more or less the same life as before my diagnosis. I lack a bit of stamina, but that is a common side effect of the treatment.
I want this site to be PRACTICAL. I am not trying to achieve a treatise on the disease, nor on the diagnosis and treatment path. I am trying to expose the reader to the commonly used technologies for handling the disease. As I write these words that is “2020 technologies” but my aim is to keep abreast of the scene and offer more choices as time goes on.
I am calling the site “2020 vision” as I intend to make some comments about how the practical technologies of 2020 can be improved to make the journey even easier than it is today.
Firstly, I’d like to introduce you to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) of Los Angeles by way of a video.
Video featuring Alex and Dr Mark Scholz
I believe this Institute to be of the highest quality and it underpins my thoughts as a retired scientist with those of a very experienced Oncologist. If you feel that you want to go deeper into the subject than I am presenting here, I strongly urge you to use their site, and their many useful videos.
A Warning about Prostate Cancer Websites
At the time of writing – 2020 – since 2010 two very great strides have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Many, many websites do not properly address these advances.
Those two advances are mpMRI Scanning and Theranostics.
I discuss them on my site, and the PCRI likewise promote them on their site. Indeed the PCRI has called the arrival of Theranostics the “biggest breakthrough in Prostate Cancer since the PSA test”.
It will revolutionise some aspects of advanced disease diagnosis and treatment.
The ONLY website that I recommend from my websites is that of the PCRI which can be entered here – PCRI
I would add that the PCRI is a non-profit organisation and that its opinions are based on what is best for the patients. I would not advise my readers to go beyond PCRI in their search for information as some sites give opinions based on their business objectives.
The Tide is Turning
As noted in the previous section, a new advancement is Theranostics. Currently this is used in a diagnostic role using a PET/CT scanner. The patient receives a dose of a compound called PSMA which is labelled with Ga-68 – a radioactive form of Gallium. PSMA attaches to Prostate Cancer cells and their disposition can be recorded on the PET/CT scanner.
Here is a recent video featuring Alex and Dr Mark Scholz discussing this new technology and other aspects of Prostate Cancer.
The references, in the video, to 5T and 7T are references to the capability of MRI Scanners. I cover this on my mpMRI page in the Diagnosis section.
This is a clear example of “The Tide is Turning”.
A Prostate Cancer Primer
I have written a short Primer to introduce you to Prostate Cancer. You may find it easier to understand all of the various website pages if you read it first. You can access it as a web page from the “Home” menu item, or as a downloadable “pdf” file from the “About” menu item.
Alternatively, if you prefer listening to reading, I provide a video on YouTube. It is about 43 minutes long, but it covers more or less in full, the contents of this website.
Finally …
I wish all readers, diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, a healthy and fulfilling journey. I will report back through the “My Journey” page on any further developments in my own case.
I regularly read on the various prostate cancer sites and forums of men, like myself, who had no symptoms and who are eternally grateful that they insisted on having a PSA test “just to make sure”. If you are over 50, and definitely if over 60, and you are asking yourself “Should I have a PSA test?” then think no longer – have one – you may have no symptoms but be harbouring this disease. The earlier this disease is caught the better. However, whatever stage you catch it, if you have a significant cancer, you will definitely live longer if it is diagnosed and treated. Remember that well over 8 men in 10 don’t have Prostate Cancer, so your PSA is very likely to be in the normal range.