A few weeks ago Mr. Beverly was kind enough to print my essay describing how I came to learn that I have prostate cancer.
One message of that essay was that, but for the grace of God, along with the wisdom and thoroughness of my excellent doctor, Charles Bergstrom, I would likely have remained blissfully ignorant of the disease until it had progressed beyond the possibility of a cure.
As I requested then, it was printed anonymously.
I have just returned home from my initial cancer treatment and am very optimistic about my prospects for a cure. During the time of my treatment, I had several conversations with doctors and nurses who emphasized how very fortunate I am to have discovered the cancer at an early stage.
I wish to repeat portions of my account here in the hope of convincing those gentlemen who are otherwise reluctant to go on in for prostate cancer screening.
The American Cancer Society Web site indicates that “Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 232,090 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2005. About 30,350 men will die of this disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, second only to lung cancer.”
Current medical wisdom says that ALL men should begin prostate cancer screening at least by the age of 50. African-Americans are, unfortunately, at somewhat higher risk for this cancer, and so they are encouraged to begin screening at 40. Also, if you have a family history of prostate cancer, you should begin screening at 40.
I originally went to my doctor for a totally unrelated problem — apparent arthritis — which called for a blood test. The doctor could have limited the test only to arthritis, but he suggested that we include a PSA test among several others.
At my age of 48, my PSA should be at 2.5 or lower. Anything above this indicates either an infection, or benign enlargement of the prostate, or cancer. My first score was 3.1, and Dr. Bergstrom referred me to a urologist, who eventually diagnosed prostate cancer.
The point that I want to emphasize is that my discovery of the disease at a relatively early stage (and it was actually more advanced than many) was almost accidental.
I am a reluctant patient; I hate going to the doctor. It is highly unlikely that I would have hurried over to the doctor’s office in the year 2007 when I turn 50.
And, from what I have been told by specialists, had I waited even that long, it is highly likely that the cancer cells would have spread beyond the prostate itself and begun to “colonize” elsewhere in my body.
When this happens, there is no cure. The best one may hope for then is to slow the growth of the cancer. And so, the doctor who administered treatment told me, “God was very good to you.”
PSA screening began in earnest in the early ‘90s. Before this test was implemented, the disease was initially discovered either through a physical exam or from symptoms. But by the time the disease is either physically detectable or is causing noticeable symptoms, it is at a rather advanced stage.
The old 80/20 rule applied: 80 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer were at an advanced stage. The result, of course, was a higher mortality rate among those diagnosed, as many were beyond curative treatment.
Now with PSA screening the 80/20 rule still applies, but it is precisely reversed: the majority of men diagnosed these days are at an early stage and have an excellent prognosis.
Caught early, prostate cancer is perhaps the most treatable form of cancer, and there are many effective treatment options available.
Since the introduction of this simple test, the mortality rate from prostate cancer has been sinking like a stone.
Take it from an otherwise reluctant patient: There is simply no excuse for avoiding screening if you are 50 and older (or 40 and older and in a higher risk category). The stakes are just too high.
Mark D. Linville, Sr.
Fayetteville, Ga.