Prostate cancer?

my dad has just been disgnosed with advanced prostate cancer. does anyone have experience of this in their family and how this progresses?


i have been advised to have a psa test a s a p to determine wether i have it too as it ispossibly a genetic thing.


my dad is 73 i am 50.


should i worry or is there cause for hope?

Prostate cancer?
If the cancer is still confined to the prostate then his chances for treatment and cure are good. If the cancer has spread it is more difficult. At your age you should be having a psa with your annual check ups. They do not know if this is genetic, but every male has the potential for prostate problems. Between the ages of 50 to 59 you have a 50% chance of some problems, not necessarily cancer. When you are older than 60 your odds go up. You must have testing done on a regular schedule. With early detection prostate cancer is easily treatable.
Reply:My dad had it, and he was told that many men die WITH the disease rather than OF it.


Hope this helps
Reply:You almost certainly can be cured of it, even IF you have it.





Most people who have it, die WITH it, rather than FROM it.





I wish the best for your Dad.
Reply:my father died about 10 years ago of prostate cancer . the progress is individual he chose not to fight it ( but by then he had secondaries in the bone ) so it was mainly pain relief he had the hormone shots and there was a radioactive drip he had.My dad was 65 when he went , my advice if I may ? take each day as it comes, enjoy every moment and if he is like mine was and not overly demonstrative hug him often because I promise you , it is the memories that are left that help.I have a psa every yr it is only a blood test it is a good indicator whether you may have a problem but touch wood that is not a problem I have at the moment





paul
Reply:The PSA test is notoriously inaccurate and can cause a great deal of distress and worry without need.





It is not something that runs in the family particularly, so I don't think you need worry unduly. However, it is a common condition, but not at your age.





As cancer goes, it is a fairly benign type, and is not always life threatening. However, there are some cases that are more serious, and your dad's doctor can give you some idea of the type he has.





There are Complementary and Alternative approaches that can help. Shark Cartilage has had a great deal of good press - and I have personally seen a number of people who have used this with great effect. Make sure that you get a high quality supplement if he decides to try this.





Other approaches can also be helpful, and a nutritionist or herbalist experienced in helping patients with cancer can make a huge difference.





Hope you find some support for your dad and things work out, and try not to worry about yourself.
Reply:Sorry to hear about your dad.


There is different degrees of prostate ca.


and a good prognosis with allot of them.:)


PSA is not an accurate test alone you may need to have a biopsy. Cancers can be familiar so get it checked out.


Find yourself a good urologist someone that you can relate to.


My father was told 8 years ago he had only five year he changed his urologist as he was a pig and has a wonderful oncologist. Is fighting fit still :)





In autopsy reports they have found lots of men have prostate ca but it was other conditions or natural causes that caused the last breath to be taken not the Ca





Don't panic and don't listen to horror stories.


But have the test
Reply:I'm sorry to hear your news. My experience of prostate cancer has been by my work as a practising UK doctor with several jobs in oncology care. It would be foolish to fill you with false promises and at a time like this most people need transparency and honesty not euphemisms.





The psa tests are only used really as a guide line. However, treatment for prostate cancer is very good and prognosis depends upon many other factors for example whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and whether your father has any other medical conditions. there are a number of treatment options open to you including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy. Many factors influence what treatments are open, and a method called the gleason score is often used. More information about this can be found on the cancer research uk website. Basically, it looks at how the cells have changed and therefore how they would respond to cancer treatments. I am no expert in oncology and so I cannot stress enough the vitality that you have a frank and detailed discussion with a cancer specialist such as your father's oncologist or even Macmillan Nurse. Most units have specilist health advisors available upon request.





Realistically, most people diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer can live up to 5 years post diagnosis. However, this strongly depends on the treatment options that are available to you and indeed whether your father's response to treatment is good.





There is always cause for hope and I suggest that you look at the cancer research website for more advice regarding prostate cancer. More and more people are surviving cancer and living their lives. You will have some rocky times ahead but you should celebrate life to the full.





Hope this helps.
Reply:Will everyone actually read the question. This gentleman has informed you that his father has "advanced prostate cancer", by which i mean we are talking about a Gleeson score of 8,9 or 10, with possibly spread to the bone. Please stop with the "very cureable" comments, as by this stage, it is very uncommon. To the poster, not wanting to sound harsh, so don't misunderstand me. In terms of how it progresses, ir depends on several factors, such as the Gleeson score, his PSA level, and importantly, his response to hormone treatment. When my grandfather passed away, he had a Gleeson score of 10, and bone mets, but still lived another 18 months at the age of 80. It is often gradual decline, until the point where the patient loses the will to live. In my grandfathers case, the oromorph and the illness lead to a lot of weight loss, and lethargy caused by the bone mets, which necessitated some blood transfusions. He lost a lot of his appetite, but did find that he could be tempted by spicy foods such as mexican and indian cuisine. It was quick towards the very end, but so long before that, we almost forgot at times he was seriously ill.





As for yourself, there is evidence of the hereditary link, so it is advisable to have a PSA test. Any slight abnormalities may be just simply followed up and see how it progresses. Any serious raises, and you'll probably be referred for tests to check!
Reply:To attempt to prognosticate one would need very detailed staging information. This is something ONLY his oncologist can do.





Familial aggregation (at least 2 cases in the family) is observed in about 20% of cases and a hereditary form of PC, compatible with a Mendelian inheritance, in 5%. This proportion increases with younger age at diagnosis. Translated this means you need 2 family members, rather than 1, to have 20 % risk, otherwise your maximum risk is 1 in 20, probably less since your father is already 73.
Reply:OF course there is hope. Your dad having prostate cancer does not mean you will get it. i am so sorry to hear of your Dads cancer.


i am a nurse and regularly nurse men with this type of cancer.


Not sure what questions you want answered with regards to the cancer itself. The people i am looking after appears to be slow acting and generally they are well controlled comfort wise.


The person i am looking after at the moment was given 6 months to live and 2 years later he is still with us living a good quality of life.


It should be remembered that cancer does affect different people differently.


But all means get the test done if you are offered it. that way you will be observed closely.
Reply:all men over 50 should be checked with a simple blood test to check PSA. it is genetic


it is a slow growing cancer treated with hormones your dads outlook should be quite good


http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/forums...
Reply:There is probably hope, though I dont know how advanced it is, prostate cancer is usually slow moving. I have heard that you are more likely to die with it than from it.





Good louck and I wish you well.

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