Post by Rick Redner on Aug 26, 2013 10:55:09 GMT -5
Almost every adult alive today knows someone who has died of cancer. Usually their death is unpleasant to say the least. So as men when we receive the diagnosis of prostate cancer, all the images and experiences we've had with friends and relatives dying of cancer come to mind. These images can be very vivid with graphic pictures in our head, or more subtle. Either way our life experiences with cancer add to our fear.
Additionally, if you've been blessed like I have with a very active imagination, we will add frightening images of our own to the mix of all we are feeling.
Here's how my imagination added to my already out of control fear. In my minds eye I pictures tens of thousands of cancer cells as little PacMen with very sharp teeth working 24/7 to get out of my prostate in order to spread to other places for the purpose of killing me. Needless to say, with that image in mind I wanted to get rid of prostate as soon as possible.
Here's a useful link to help you understand the difference between low risk and high risk prostate cancer:
Understanding Your Prostate Cancer Risks
My surgeon Dr Peter Carroll from UCSF said this in an interview:
"The first thing I tell patients and their families is don't rush to a decision. Very few men need immediate treatment and yet many men make a decision about treatment within minutes of hearing their diagnosis. So the first thing I tell men and their families is to slow down, don't rush, get information."
This is VERY good advice.
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Here's a link to read the entire interview with Dr Carroll:
Interview with Dr Carroll
Here are a few good videos to watch:
Early Stage Prostate Cancer (This is a separate link than the YouTube video above.) It's worth watching.
It's important for you to understand whether or not you have early stage prostate cancer that may not require aggressive treatment. No matter what stage of prostate cancer you are coping with, take some time to read about prostate cancer, consult with more than one Doctor, and make the best decision based upon your diagnosis and the facts, rather than basing your treatment decision on the fear you currently experience.
Our Pre and Post Surgery Forums were not created to advocate or bash surgery. They were created to provide information to help men come to the conclusion whether surgery is the right treatment option for their cancer.
I'd also like men who've had surgery to weigh in on how much or how little their fear played in their treatment decision.
Additionally, if you've been blessed like I have with a very active imagination, we will add frightening images of our own to the mix of all we are feeling.
Here's how my imagination added to my already out of control fear. In my minds eye I pictures tens of thousands of cancer cells as little PacMen with very sharp teeth working 24/7 to get out of my prostate in order to spread to other places for the purpose of killing me. Needless to say, with that image in mind I wanted to get rid of prostate as soon as possible.
Here's a useful link to help you understand the difference between low risk and high risk prostate cancer:
Understanding Your Prostate Cancer Risks
My surgeon Dr Peter Carroll from UCSF said this in an interview:
"The first thing I tell patients and their families is don't rush to a decision. Very few men need immediate treatment and yet many men make a decision about treatment within minutes of hearing their diagnosis. So the first thing I tell men and their families is to slow down, don't rush, get information."
This is VERY good advice.
[/i][/b]
Here's a link to read the entire interview with Dr Carroll:
Interview with Dr Carroll
Here are a few good videos to watch:
Early Stage Prostate Cancer (This is a separate link than the YouTube video above.) It's worth watching.
It's important for you to understand whether or not you have early stage prostate cancer that may not require aggressive treatment. No matter what stage of prostate cancer you are coping with, take some time to read about prostate cancer, consult with more than one Doctor, and make the best decision based upon your diagnosis and the facts, rather than basing your treatment decision on the fear you currently experience.
Our Pre and Post Surgery Forums were not created to advocate or bash surgery. They were created to provide information to help men come to the conclusion whether surgery is the right treatment option for their cancer.
I'd also like men who've had surgery to weigh in on how much or how little their fear played in their treatment decision.