ProtonPals

I am African American, diagnosed at age 49 with a PSA of 3.0 (having risen 8mo earlier from 2.5) and Gleason of 7 (3+4). I am married with two children.  I just read an interview by Dr. Terry Mason.  It has 10 questions addressed to an African American (AA) urologist who has an active role in the Chicago area treating and advocating for AA with Prostate Cancer (PC). I found the interview well done. He does not advocate one treatment method, rather, he suggests taking time to research at least surgery and radiation before making a decision. It is worth reading by anyone, particularly, if they, or someone they know was diagnosed with PC. 
 
The usual issue concerning screening continues to be debated.  Why? I don’t have the slightest idea. Consider that PC tends to strike AA’s younger, is more aggressive (i.e., higher Gleason), and tends to be more advanced when diagnosed, suggests to me that AA should not hesitate to get initial PSA and DRE perhaps as young as 30. These screenings are not expensive, nor are they painful. At the very least they would provide a baseline from which to monitor patients.  Some have said that this could lead to more problems such as needless anxiety and worry.  I suggest telling that to the man who at age 39 learns that he has PC with Gleason 10 and evidence of distal metastasis. I’ve met such men since the time I was diagnosed and subsequently treated.  None would trade waiting to discover advanced PC at the ‘recommended’ age for dealing with some anxiety earlier in years.   As for me, finding out earlier gave more options and hope compared to finding out later.
 
The article explores the possibility that race plays a role in diagnosis, treatment, and complications due to treatment. I won’t spoil the interview for those who wish to read it.  My personal experience is aligned with most of the men who chose PT. Almost universally, we stumbled upon it.  I was told surgery was my best option due to my relatively young age, and I was two weeks away from my appointed time with the knife. My wife never let me rest with surgery so I continued to search for something else. Eventually, I asked for a referral to see a radiologist. The radiologist suggested surgery but was willing to screen for Proton Therapy. He said that if I were to chose PT I should consider 6mo of hormone therapy.  I also asked to speak to a PC Oncologist. He initially suggested surgery as well. When I told him of my concerns about the potential life long side effects of surgery, he suggested that PT with hormone therapy was perhaps for me a better choice. The fact that I am writing this introduction shows which treatment I chose. 
 
I cannot say that I was treated worse than others, or that my treatment was administered with a different (perhaps worse) precision than others. I feel I was treated for the specific symptoms, age, race, grade of cancer, and potential spread of the disease. Because of my excellent experience I would without hesitation recommend PT. With the exception of the initial diagnosing urologist who (in my opinion) strongly recommended open surgery as soon as possible, no other doctor was so insistent upon a quick decision, nor did they try to overly influence my decision. I feel that I was (in all respects ) properly treated once I slowed down, and took control.
 
Sincerely, and wishing all men low-steady PSA’s,
 
Thomas R