[ConorMacNessa]

This has been looming for some time. I had my first PSA before the turn of the century. In 2006, at age 59, I had a PSA high enough (4.5, IIRC) to cause my PCP to refer me to a urologist, who performed a prostate biopsy. Inconclusive - some precancerous cells.

A year later, my follow-up biopsy disclosed a fast advancing cancer - 9 Gleason, for which I was treated - classic radiation for 42 days and hormones for two years.

I'm now 8 years out, and but for that 2006 PSA, I'd be a dead man.

Thanks, Obama, and bean-counters everywhere!

"I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender
the members of my command while they still have the means to resist."

[Capt. Tom]

A year later, my follow-up biopsy disclosed a fast advancing cancer - 9 Gleason, for which I was treated - classic radiation for 42 days

I had the same radiation time line. Forty two days,
They even put gold slivers in my prostate so they could better target the prostate while I was on the machine.

You can remove a prostate for about $35,000.
Prostate Radiation for 42 days and preparations and yearly follow ups put the bill close to $170,000.

When I was in there getting radiated, I met 3 people who had their prostates removed years earlier and were back in for radiation in the prostate area. -Tom

[OftheOhio]

Thanks Connor, Who would have thought a Marine (me) would live to be 63, let lone 67. Semper Fi. Colon cancer got my old uncle Leon, a veteran that walked Okinawa and back again. You must have had doctors you trusted. I can’t say the same for the reprobates I’ve been exposed to. May we live long brother.

[goodnesswins]

HIFU...and early detection via PSA saved my husband what you had to endure...but he had to go to Mexico for it because our nefarious government hadn’t approved hifu...as Europe and Mexico had. Cost was $26k...no radiation...no drugs...and no side effects.

[steve86]

Good for you. I refuse all cancer-related screening and diagnostic tests. I’ll live longer this way because if I had a test and it came back positive I’d put a hole in my head that same night. Would be tragic if it were a false positive.