THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO AN UPDATE REMINDER IN 2016 SO THERE IS NO UPDATE.

The only indication of a problem with my prostate was a fall in pressure when urinating that started some 6 to 8 months prior to diagnosis. My GP suggested a PSA test when I attended with flu like symptoms and the reading came back at 30 ng/ml. A subsequent biopsy showed 9 of 12 samples testing positive with the Gleeson Score of 7 (3+4) and a staging of T3a.

I initially preferred radiation treatment over surgery as being less invasive and when the Urologist said that surgery was unlikely to be successful due to my staging level the choice was simple.

Hormone Therapy (ADT) was started in Nov. 2010 and Radiation Treatment began in May 2011.

It is now Nov. 2012 and since completing treatment my PSA level has remained relatively steady at 0.20

Almost immediately on starting the Radiation Treatment I had great difficulty urinating but no other side effects were evident.

Side effects from the Hormone Therapy were more dramatic. I started losing body hair, in fact after almost 2 years I have lost 90% of it. Whilst my body hair was disappearing I began growing hair on my head were no hair had been seen for a decade (weird). Then I put on 10 Kg. (22 pound) in the same time frame, and my joints began to stiffen - knees, ankles, elbows, although I don't know how much of that is due to ageing.

All in all I feel relatively good and am in a holding pattern with check ups scheduled every 6 months and the longer my PSA remains low the more positive the outlook.

I read extensively about Prostate Cancer when I was first diagnosed and whilst not preparing for the worst I felt comfortable in knowing the worst case scenario and that anything less was a win.

I completed my Hormone deprivation therapy after 21 months of treatment in Aug 2012. My PSA has been measured regulary at 3 monthly intervals with readings of 0.2, 0.2, 0.25, and 0.37 over the last year.

To quote my doctor "if they were my PSA readings then I wouldn't be worried" so neither am I.

The next stage is to monitor PSA every 6 months and if all goes well then to move onto yearly checks.

One lingering side effect of the hormone deprivation was an increase over time of my cholesterol levels. Whilst both LDL and HDL levels rose proportionally my overall reading went from 5.2 pre-diagnosis to 7.4 on completing the hormone deprivation. Within 9 months my testosterone had risen to 10 and my cholesterol had fallen to 6.3. hopefully that trend continues.

My treatment consisted of External Beam Radiation with ADT (hormone deprivation). Apparently reducing testosterone to a negligible level slows the cancer growth and gives a better outcome for the Radiation treatment. The improvement is only marginal and is questionable in its use considering the possible side-effects).

If I were to have the treatment over I would do so without the ADT.

There is also conjecture that 2 possible side-effects of ADT is an increase in Cholesterol and a reduction in Bone Mass Density (ostoepenia, osteoporosis).

At diagnosis of Prostate Cancer my cholesterol was 5.2 (acceptable level using Aust. units). On completion of the ADT (21 months) my cholesterol was 7.3 (unacceptable level). 24 months of diet and exercise has seen my cholesterol level return to it's previous level.

12 months ago I had a Bone Density Scan which indicated a T score of -4 in my L2 vertebrae (severe osteoporosis). I have had no other Bone Density Tests prior so I have no reference to decide if this condition was pre existing or a result of ADT. What I do know is that my latest BMD test has shown a improvement of 3 to 5% in BMD over the last 12 months with no treatment whatsoever.

Anyone contemplating External Beam Radiation with ADT should request a Cholesterol and BMD test before deciding on commencement of ADT.

All that said, I am fit and in relatively good health. I lead an active outdoor life walking, gardening, golfing and lawn bowling.

My partner and I get away caravaning for short trips (1-2 weeks) on a regular basis (5-6 times/year).

I have been cancer free now for 3 and a half years.

Wayne's e-mail address is: waynech AT ffey.com.au (replace "AT" with "@")

NOTE: Wayne has not updated his story for more than 15 months, so you may not receive any response from him.