Not a pleasant thing to talk about and my sympathies do go out to the man. I want to know one thing. I am at that age where my prostate and PSA levels are tested twice a year. How is it that the most powerful man in the world with the worlds best healthcare available to not have known until it reached the advanced stage?
No discernable symptoms. Experienced urine difficulty, and Urologist found a nodule, and diagnosis confirmed Cancer. It is a particular aggressive type, yes, but also a treatable type. PSA Tests, etc. are often not indicative of Cancer. One should always self-check every day, for lumps, bumps, etc., and of course red flag signs....blood, pain, difficulty urinating, pain when urinating, etc. A person 'knows" their own body. Listen to it. That is the best self protection a person can do.
Reliability of the PSA Test: The PSA test is not perfect and can miss some prostate cancers (false negatives). Studies have shown that the test can accurately detect about 60-70% of prostate cancers. However, about 75% of men who have an elevated PSA level do not have prostate cancer (false positives). I lost my Dad to prostate cancer a few weeks ago (Easter Sunday). He had been battling it for the past few years. Hormone treatments did indeed keep it at bay for a long time. When the cancer finally spread to his bones there was no slowing it down.
Wow TC... I am sorry to hear that. I have an enlarged prostate and have had elevated numbers before. My doctor swears by the PSA test and makes me take it twice a year. I believe I will have a more in depth conversation with her now.
I HATE stories of losing a loved one to such an insidious disease, and more particularly, a Hormone based Prostate Cancer that can and is treatable when caught early. This is a failure in the modern era of Prostate Cancer...the detection of same. The issue is lack of payment by insurance companies, INCLUDING Medicare and Medicaid, and MANY Health Insurance Coverage Providers. Why? ITS COST MORE TO DIAGNOSE, so the the most economical method, the PSA is utilized, and even then, the frequency of any Tests have many roadblocks. It is not at all unusual for private policies to have $3-10,000 Deductible for other diagnostic methodology. Thus, PCPs and Specialists and Hospitals (POC), knowing that approval for more advanced methodology would not be approved for reimbursement, without very difficult and stringent hurdles, and the costs may and will be for the Patient's account...and although the Physician informs the person, the majority of the time the person declines because of the obvious...the economic burden. Considering the very expensive cost for Deductible and Co-pay requirements in many insurance policies, and the Medicare/Medicaid restrictions that shift costs to the Patient, it is understandable when the Physician has the PSA Test performed and the result is "acceptable", that is it, until...maybe.... the next year exam. POTUS Biden has a hormone based form, that has metastasized to the bone, and while Stage 4, has a chance of treatment since it is hormone based. My very guarded issue with the timing of the POTUS illness, and I am not casting aspersions or being suggestive of a questionable timetable, it is being reported that POTUS was registering a 9. POTUS has the ...without any question...highest level of Modern Medicine and screening availability in the world, without any restrictions to diagnostic procedures. I wonder how, with more than the average bear checkups and tests without timing restrictions or any other restrictions, the Prostate Cancer could progress to 9, and not be previously known or suspected. if I had to be forced to give an opinion why, I would come down on the side of Modern Medicine did not miss the Cancer, and POTUS has been undergoing treatment. I can understand why it would not be disclosed. Any other explanation, inclusive of a political misdirection story due to present aggressive commentary for previous failures or legal procedures, while certainly within the realm of plausible, would not stand up to medical scrutiny. The system is broken, and need not be.
It's none of our damned business @Mopar Dude , but something you may appreciate knowing . . . elevated numbers may be expected if boinking within 48 hours before having your blood drawn for the test. I learned this from personal experience, and now schedule my blood testing accordingly.
I could have sooooo much fun replying to that Post, sooooo much. I will, in favor of your recent personal loss. But, I reserve the Right to employ my thoughts in a future appropriate commentary. However, you are correct. That is the important message.
No doubt, @charley . . . I'm sure you'll come up with something very amusing. I can take it . . . you'll only have to contend with the wrath of my "HER".
Thanks, MD. I am still feeling very wounded by his absence, but he lived a long 87 years and a very full life. Honest, hard-working, a terrific family man with many friends, an avid angler and golfer (2 holes in one). I could go on . . . I’m grateful for who he was, the time I had with him, and my ability to close my eyes and see his face and hear his voice. Do I wish I could have had him for longer? . . . Absolutely. Do I wish he was still fighting the cancer to give me that time? . . . No. Definitely not. I’m happy he found relief.
BTW, @charley . . . I tried to fill in the blanks, but couldn't decide between refrain and abstain . . .
Thank you for asking. No fill in the blank required; it is a personal greeting of hopefully bringing a smile to you at a future date, and assist you in coping with the sadness of your loss, but I will do so at another time. Your grief is paramount now, and must be respected. I did not think it appropriate to do so, now.
