# Ask the cancer patient (again) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 9, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648 "2010-08-09T00:26:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/41 "2011-08-23T15:56:28Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > :smack: > Just noticed that this thread is a zombie. > > I note with relief that Gary is still posting on the boards today, which means he survived, which is excellent… > > unless it means that Gary is himself a zombie :eek::p. No, I’m fine. The surgery for the prostate cancer was completely successful (as far as we can tell), so I’m still alive and kicking. The PSA test is, indeed, a simple blood test. If you are getting any blood tests with your annual checkup, it’s just filling another vial. The DRE (digital-rectal exam) is undignified and unpleasant, in my opinion, but it has served as an early warning for many men. And thanks for the concern, Mama Zappa! > [@Balance](#): > > Well, since the thread has returned, I did have a question. An etiquette question, of sorts. > > Would you have been upset or offended if, during your treatment, a complete stranger asked if you were undergoing any sort of medical treatment? Assuming you presented no visible signs of the treatment? > > The reason I ask is that I’ve noticed a distinctive odor associated with cancer, but everyone that I’ve been able to confirm that association with was already being treated–as supported by either visible side effects of the treatment or by hearing about it through other channels. As a result, I don’t actually know if the odor is caused by the cancer or by the treatment. > > Essentially, I’m looking for a tactful way to bring it up the next time I catch the scent. I don’t want to upset someone who’s already being treated, but if they _aren’t_ being treated…well, at that point I think tact would come second to recommending that they see a doctor. Wow. I’m not sure how I would react if someone said, “hey dude, you smell funny. Are you sick?” no matter how tactfully it was phrased. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/42 "2011-08-23T16:20:39Z")
couple of things, one kinda funny, the other not Kinda glad this thread came up, I need to go have The Test (first time for me) **Gary** (just gonna type your first name) the original timing of your OP corresponds roughly with my dad’s prostate cancer and surgery, and you have the same first name, so, ummmm, Dad? ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/43 "2011-08-23T17:01:01Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:41, topic:549648”] Wow. I’m not sure how I would react if someone said, “hey dude, you smell funny. Are you sick?” no matter how tactfully it was phrased. [/QUOTE] Well, I wouldn’t lead off with that. 😛 It would inevitably come up, though, so you can see why I am concerned with embarrassing someone. If I can confirm which I’m picking up on–cancer or treatment–it will no longer matter. If it’s treatment, I can simply keep quiet. If it’s cancer, and they don’t know about it, it’s well worth the awkwardness to warn them. It’s confirming the hypothesis that’s sticky; I might have to ask a number of people, and I don’t want to leave a bunch of cancer patients thinking they have a BO problem on top of everything else, and everyone but one rude jerk feels too bad about it to tell them. It doesn’t help that I don’t really know how to describe the odor. It is very distinctive, which makes it recognizable, but also makes it hard to compare it to anything else. The best I’ve come up with is that it’s something like dirt and dead flowers, which is neither the most encouraging imagery nor all that precise. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/44 "2011-08-23T17:13:03Z")
Here you go Balanced: [Dogs Detecting Cancer? It's in the Breath, Experts Say - ABC News](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/dogs-detect-cancer-experts-compounds-breath-signal-breast/story?id=13452475) Dogs apparently can detect cancer by smell. It seems odd if you were able to do it, but maybe that is your mutant superpower. Might be worth a few inquiries to folks in research oncology. I wouldn’t ask strangers though. ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/45 "2011-08-23T18:16:20Z")
I got a different and stronger smell when I was undergoing chemotherapy. I thought I could smell it myself and asked some friends, they confirmed that I had a different smell so I’d guess it is the treatment. Even just out of the bath I smelled a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/46 "2011-08-24T00:06:37Z")
Wombat, glad you are doing well. I see this thread is a bit of a zombie. I’m running with Team In Training currently, would you mind if I added “Wombat” (or your real name) to my jersey as an Honored Teamate? I’m in California if privacy would be a concern. Stay well - ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/47 "2011-08-24T01:14:33Z")
Since the zombie has been raised… **Saint Zero** had non-hodgkins Mantle Cell lymphoma, stage 1. It was only found in the one lymph node on his neck. He’s been through chemo and radiation. Everything looks wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/48 "2011-08-24T02:11:26Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > Wombat, glad you are doing well. I see this thread is a bit of a zombie. I’m running with Team In Training currently, would you mind if I added “Wombat” (or your real name) to my jersey as an Honored Teamate? I’m in California if privacy would be a concern. > Stay well - I would be honored, **Truman**. And since I use my real name moderating the Straight Dope, I don’t think privacy will be a concern! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/49 "2011-08-24T02:25:53Z")
As a point of info, some studies recently have shown a significant false-negative from PSA screening (no cite, my doc told me so). Digital rectal exams are making a comeback (or maybe my doc just likes doing them :)). [quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:16, topic:549648”] I won’t be back to 100% for months, and I am still having issues, but I’m vertical and the prognosis looks good. [/QUOTE] I appreciate that you used the word ‘vertical’ rather than ‘erect’. Anyway, I’m glad things worked out for the best for you. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/50 "2011-08-24T02:52:30Z")
I guess this is why we have two different tests, **MMM**. My prostate wasn’t enlarged, so the DRE didn’t catch it. The biopsy works very well, but that’s no stinking fun AT ALL. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/51 "2011-08-24T08:08:40Z")
Okay, I go for my blood test tomorrow to see whether this is a problem. Here’s hoping no. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/52 "2011-08-24T09:43:04Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > Essentially, I’m looking for a tactful way to bring it up the next time I catch the scent. I don’t want to upset someone who’s already being treated, but if they _aren’t_ being treated…well, at that point I think tact would come second to recommending that they see a doctor. In Dad’s case it was clearly the chemo. I wouldn’t bring it up, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/53 "2011-08-24T12:06:18Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Okay, I go for my blood test tomorrow to see whether this is a problem. > > Here’s hoping no. Good luck, Cicero! ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/54 "2011-08-24T19:53:48Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:24, topic:549648”] UPDATE: I just left the doctor’s office. PSA blood test: negative. Pathology report: cancer appears to have been localized. For the second time in my life, I am pleased to report that it looks like I have beaten cancer. [/QUOTE] DUDE!!! You rock! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/55 "2011-08-24T20:09:57Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > DUDE!!! > > You rock! Thank you! Hopefully, I won’t have to go for three. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/56 "2011-08-24T20:11:17Z")
Cool. I’ll be running the Santa Barbara Half Marathon. I’ll get my daughter, who will be illustrating my shirt, started on cartooning a wombat. If anyone is interested, the Leukemia and Lmyphoma Society, which sponsors Team in Training, uses about 75% of donated funds raised directly on research and pt services. Give 'til it hurts! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/57 "2011-08-24T21:47:32Z")
I’d appreciate it if you’d email me a picture of the final cartoon - or the final shirt! ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/58 "2011-08-24T22:56:00Z")
Will do. I’ve got the artist researching wombats as we speak. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/59 "2011-08-31T14:37:20Z")
Thanks Gary. I get the results day after tomorrow. I have never really thought about it much, but my Dad did have an operation on his prostate. He is almost 90 and I don’t know how serious it was or if he reads any Playboy magazines. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648/60 "2011-08-31T23:58:49Z")
Do _any_ of us men really _read_ Playboy magazines? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cancer-patient-again/549648.md?page=4)