Special Post

September

is

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

 

Take time this month to learn more about prostate cancer, its effects, and the treatment options.

Much has changed in the last year concerning prostate cancer testing and treatment, and you need to be aware of those changes.  Get the latest information and guidelines from your personal physician, especially if you're in an at-risk group.

It's too important not to educate yourself about prostate cancer.  It's your life we're talking about, after all.

Prostate Cancer Foundation

 

American Cancer Society

 

National Cancer Institute



Month 33 - Bladder Endurance

So here's an interesting story on some research showing that men who take fish oil supplements for heart health may be putting themselves at increased risk for prostate cancer.

Fish Oils May Raise Prostate Cancer Risk

Granted, it's only one study, so it's something to take with a grain of salt, but it's also something to keep an eye on for future studies.

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Remember that next month, September, is...

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Given all the changes in testing recommendations since last year's Prostate Cancer Awareness month, it's even more crucial to become educated about diagnosing prostate cancer and treatment options.  Make sure you spread the word and tell the guys in your life to take a few minutes to learn about prostate cancer in September.

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BIOLOGY AHEAD

So a couple of weeks ago, I had a couple of surprises in the bladder control department. 

Since the surgery, I have to admit that I get to be a bit more tactical and use bathrooms a bit more frequently than I should.  Typically, I'll last 3-5 hours but may urinate a bit more frequently when I'm not sure when I'll find the next toilet.

A few weeks ago, I was at a friend's annual summer barbecue party, and I lasted just over 7 hours before having to go to the bathroom (and that was on a hot summer day when I was drinking plenty to keep hydrated).  So that was the first surprise.  I couldn't recall the last time I went 7 hours during the day without using a toilet.  (I can sleep through the night fine most of the time.)

But at the end of the 7 hours when I did stand up to head to the bathroom, I sprung a leak.  This was more than the standard couple of drops during stress incontinence episodes, this was probably a good spoonful or so that left a two-inch diameter wet stain on my jeans.  Thankfully, by then, it was dark and my jeans were dark, too, so it wasn't obvious.  Still, it was completely unexpected.

I guess the lesson learned is to keep emptying my bladder more frequently.  I really wasn't conscientiously trying to set a "hold my bladder" record with the 7 hours; it just happened that way.

Month 32 - Robotic Surgery

Those more astute readers of this blog may have noticed that I've added a new page, "Life After Radical Prostatectomy - 30 Months Later," to give a quick overall update of where I'm at.

Check out the link to the right under the "Pages" section.

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Here's an interesting article about robotic surgery in general, its success, and its complications:

Robotic Surgery

The article is a bit alarmist, highlighting one really bad case, considering the thousands of perfectly good outcomes from a robotic surgery each year.  Still, it is good to see that perspective.

For me, one of the main and obvious take-aways from the article is that the surgeon's experience level using the robot matters.  But then again, I already knew that when I drove myself nuts trying to find the best, most experienced surgeon possible.

If you're having surgery at a teaching hospital, you may want to consider asking if there will be any "student drivers" at the robot's wheel and, if so, for what parts of the surgery.  Because once you're in anesthesia la-la-land, you won't have a clue as to who's doing what to your body.

Bottom line: research, research, research. 

And don't be afraid to question your doctor about his experience level.  If he or she hesitates when answering, or seems offended by the question, it's time to look for another surgeon.  Which surgeon would you choose?  The one who says:

"I've performed 743 radical prostatectomies in the last 6 years, with the last one on last Thursday, and I have a 1.6% complication rate."

Or the one who says:

"Well, um, I really don't keep count, but I'm checked out on the robot and I know what I'm doing."

It's your body.  It's your life.  You have every right to ask those questions before "hiring" your surgeon.