# So I have prostate cancer **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 9, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035 "2017-12-09T19:11:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2024, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/322 "2024-07-03T12:03:45Z")
No. They put it in with needles. Lots of sharp, pointy needles. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/323 "2024-07-10T11:29:01Z")
I have my orientation with my Oncologist today. I will start radiation treatments tomorrow and they will continue five days a week until mid September ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/324 "2024-07-10T16:34:49Z")
May the force be with you 🤜🏼🤛🏼. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/325 "2024-07-10T17:36:01Z")
Best of luck! I had surgery so a very different experience, but the common factor is that it sucks when you’re looking at it from the beginning of a long process, whether it’s recovery from surgery or ongoing treatments. But the time passes, and pretty soon it’s in the rearview mirror. Hang in there, we’ll all be thinking of you. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/326 "2024-07-10T18:49:33Z")
Hear hear. Godspeed. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/327 "2024-07-11T00:44:34Z")
Best of luck to you. I was very much on the fence deciding between surgery and radiation before deciding on the knife. So far, I’m happy with my decision. If you don’t mind updating us from time to time, I’d be curious to hear about your progress and side effects. Statistically speaking, I’m probably looking at salvage radiation at some point down the road. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/328 "2024-07-11T11:54:11Z")
Thank you all for your support. I really did not want to treat this surgically so I have been all in for radiation. I will be there for treatment at 0700 five days a week until mid September. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/329 "2024-07-23T10:56:19Z")
It seemed like it took forever to get to this point but I have finally started radiation treatments. It was very anticlimactic. I had no idea what to expect but all I need to do is lay very still on a table for ten minutes or so while a large machine quietly rotates around me… ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/330 "2024-07-23T11:32:48Z")
Glad to hear it isn’t unpleasant. Can you listen to music or an audio book? ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/331 "2024-07-23T15:38:15Z")
I am not sure. I will ask tomorrow ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/332 "2024-07-23T17:37:07Z")
I always opted for the classic rock music during my sessions. I did not start feeling side-effects until about 10-14 days into the rad sessions. Hang in there! ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/333 "2024-07-23T17:58:41Z")
Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/334 "2024-07-29T16:25:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I did a genetic panel, and there doesn’t seem to be anything in my genetics that predisposes me to prostate cancer. This topic is on my mind because of my recent BRCA1 testing (likely inherited from my father); those of you who have NOT been tested might want to consider doing so, on behalf of siblings / offspring. I do NOT know whether the mutation means you get a nastier sort of prostate cancer if you DO get it at all. As noted, Dad died FROM it, not WITH it; my brother’s treatment (caught earlier) was more aggressive as a result of the family history. He did not seek testing due to the history, rather his was an incidental finding due to a genetics study. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/335 "2024-07-29T16:54:03Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > because of my recent BRCA1 Say what? I’ve been watching my prostate cancer for about 8 years. What’s this new hotness? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/336 "2024-07-29T19:17:10Z")
From what I understand, if you have the BRCA1 mutation, there are actually some good targeted treatments. Mr. Legend was almost disappointed when he didn’t have it, although that’s good news for our daughters. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/337 "2024-07-29T22:25:55Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Say what? I’ve been watching my prostate cancer for about 8 years. What’s this new hotness? Thanks! BRCA1 mutations are best known for carrying a VERY high risk (\> 50%) of breast cancer in women by my age (I do not, yet). BRCA2 also, to a slightly lower degree. They increase the risk of breast cancer even in men (5% lifetime risk, or thereabouts). Supposedly it also increases the risk of prostate cancer, though one cite said BRCA1 mutations may not do much, while BRCA2 mutations may have a larger effect. We suspect it came through our father, as he had prostate cancer, rather than our mother, who died of lung cancer well after she “should have” developed breast cancer, per current statistics. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/338 "2024-08-20T18:49:49Z")
@Qadgop_the_Mercotan I am now halfway, treatment 22 of 44 this morning. So far the side effects have been very mild. I do not have near the stamina I had before and I get tired much more easily. The slight burning sensation during urination is not causing a problem yet. I have to say I expected more difficulty but I am not complaining. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/339 "2024-08-20T20:21:50Z")
Most excellent! I see my urologist in less than 2 weeks and my medical oncologist in about a month; I’ll know better where I stand at that point but I’m hopeful everything will still look like remission. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/340 "2024-08-21T10:39:11Z")
Here’s hoping for a good report. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035/341 "2024-08-22T22:29:09Z")
Thanks for the updates. I’m 16 months out from surgery and PSA is stable (.009 this time). Essentially, zero. So, maybe radiation is not in my future. Telehealth appointment tomorrow to discuss results. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-have-prostate-cancer/804035.md?page=18)