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BRONZE

Thomas Hehir lives in USA. He was 59 when he was diagnosed in March 2009. His initial PSA was 2.9 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 6 and he was staged T1c. His choice of treatment was Active Surveillance/Diet. Here is his story. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I had a biopsy and a scan performed after my annual PSA went from 1.9 to 2.9. I have a history of prostate cancer in my family so I have been checked yearly for some time. My older brother had his prostate removed at 53 and everyone of my older male first cousins on my Mom's side has as well. My DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) was negative. My Gleason score was six with two of twelve samples on one side positive.

The Urologist who conducted my exam was relatively non-communicative though he seemed to favor treatment. My brother who is also a physician provided me with a good deal of information as well. However, my internist was emphatic that, given my numbers, I did not need to do anything at this point. He also referred me to a wonderful Oncologist at Mass. General, Matthew Smith. Dr. Smith agreed that there was no urgency involved in my case and laid out the case for various treatments as well as the case for active surveillance. He did, however, opine that at some point I'd need treatment and I should explore all options.

I am a single gay man (widower) who has an active, wonderful sex life so the thoughts of side effects was a serious consideration. I am also a university professor so I spent a good deal of time going into the research and decided that the best route for me would be active surveillance and diet. I am physically active, am in good shape, and generally eat a healthy diet so much of what ended up doing was relatively minor. I did lose about five pounds and did the following:

(1) consumed at least 8 ounces of pomegranate juice a day,
(2) took a tablespoon of flaxseed in my cereal in the morning,
(3) tried to get natural lycopene everyday (tomato juice, grapefruit etc.,
(4) virtually cut out red meat,
(5) cut way back on sugar and dairy fat,
(6) eat broccoli frequently (4-5 times a week),
(7) consumed more soy products
(8) took a multi-vitamin, an aspirin, and vitamin D everyday,
(9) tried to reduce stress, get more exercise, and sit in the sun more often,
(10) eat whole grain bread and pasta,
(11) prayed.

I had quarterly PSAs and six month check-ups. My DRE's were always normal and my PSAs started inching down to about 2.5. My last biopsy was in April and they could find no tumor even though they "over-sampled" in the area in which the scan showed a "concern". The Oncologist told me that this does not mean I don't have cancer it's just that they can't find it. They have put me on a six month surveillance schedule with another biopsy in two years. I've decided to do exactly what I have been doing but I must say my anxiety level is significantly reduced. Nothing I am doing is that onerous and, if you handle the anxiety, (which at times was hard), I would recommend my course to other men.

 

UPDATED

October 2010

 

I just had my six month check up. My PSA was 3.3 up from 2.7 a year ago and 2.9 almost two years ago. My DRE was negative.

My Doctor was not concerned though I would have liked my PSA to have gone down. I am sticking to the same plan given that my last biopsy was negative.

Tom.

 

UPDATED

May 2011

 

 

I went for my six month checkup. My PSA was virtually the same, 3.3 and DRE was negative.

I am staying the course.

Tom.

 

UPDATED

January 2012

 

I just had my 6 month check-up. DRE was negative and PSA dropped below 3. Having biopsy again in May. All seems good at this point.

Thomas' e-mail address is: thomas_hehir@harvard.edu