Re: Study: Prostate Cancer May Be Overtreated

On Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:17:30 -0400, Gary <not@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:38:56 -0700, El Castor <No_One@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:20:21 -0400, Gary <not@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

I ran across a piece of trivia about this subject. It appears that
Harold MacMillanwas was diagnosed incorrectly with inoperable prostate
cancer. Consequently, he resigned on 18 October 1963.

Well a PSA test had nothing to do with it. There was no such thing in
1963.

I didn't know that. I wonder how they mis-diagnosed the Prime
Minister with in-operable prostate cancer ? Maybe the doctor had a
wart on his finger.

It obviously scared the heck out of MacMillan. He resigned his
office and went home to die. And he did. 23 years later. Yep, he
was 92 when he crossed Jordon's stormy shore.

Seriously Gary, you should get an annual PSA test,

I get one every year.

and while
you're at it, cholesterol, A1C, and creatinine wouldn't hurt, either.

I get a cholesterol test twice a year. Have every year since 2002.
I've been taking Lipitor since 2002.

It was part of an argument that pointed out British Socialized
Medicine did not discern between rich and poor.

Should the "rich" get better medical care than the poor? Should they
get better food, live in better houses, drive better cars, and go on
better vacations? The Canadians believe in something called
Universality -- everyone gets the same care. That's good if everyone
gets rich care, but it usually comes down to poor care -- and everyone
still doesn't the same care. If you're politically connected or a
union big shot, you go to the head of the line.

I can't disagree with that.

I suppose my point with MacMillan and the British system -- my bet is
that had he been diagnosed with PCa in the USA, it would not have
been labeled "in-operable". They would have operated on his ass.
He would have probably died a couple of years later and then all the
doctors would have said --- "See ! I told you he was sick".

Well over half of US men diagnosed with prostate cancer are cured --
meaning, after five years they are still cancer free. The trick is to
catch it before it spreads, and luck out and get one that's not too
virulent. The strength of prostate cancers is rated by something
called a Gleason score. The lower the number the better.

PSA isn't a test for cancer. The only diagnosis of prostate cancer is
the old fashioned biopsy needle and a microscope. I've had one of
those, and I can't say it was my favorite way to spend an afternoon.

By the way, a drug called Finasteride, when taken over a period of
time, will shrink an oversize prostate back to a more normal size, and
reduce the chance of getting cancer by 25%. It also grows hair. Some
people get unpleasant side effects. Others, like myself, just get the
benefits without the side effects. My dad (from whom I inherited my
prostate, God bless him) suffered the tortures of the damned for
years. Up four or five times a night to pee, and every hour during the
day. In my case, thanks to Big Pharma, Finasteride, Terazosin, and
Kaiser -- I sleep like a baby and pee like a teenager. Amazing how a
little thing like peeing when you want to, not when your prostate
wants you to, can improve the quality of your life. (-8

BTW, I read a bit of humor connected with the prostate on another
group. I agree with the conclusion.
--------------------------------------------------------------

A group of engineers were discussing which of their respective
disciplines designed the human body. EE: had to be an electrical
engineer because the brain and the nervous system are so complex.
CE: no, God must be a chemical engineer, who else could design
so many amazing and efficient hormonal processes. Civil Engineer:
no, God had to be a Civil Engineer - who else would route a waste
disposal system through a recreation area?!
.

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