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Carelton Moore, retired ASU professor:
Anyway I did/do have prostate cancer butam glad to report that I am now entering my 6th year with PSA <0.1. I chose IMRT radiation with David Beyer . I was able to do this because I lived within driving distance of his facility and could take the time do do this for two months. I was sent to him by my urologist Robert Shahan who didn't push instant surgery even though my Gleason score was reported to be 9 in the single positive of 12 needle biopsies. I too have visited off and on the UStoo meetings in Scottsdale and Tempe. A problem in my opinion is that the UStoo attendees tend to be people in post treatment not pretreatment . My post treatment opinion is that more patients should consider varios options and for example request a second biopsy scan by a noted pathologist etc. these options are often spelled out in the references such as those you have listed. PS I have had no post treatment problems or at least haven't been aware of any.

Max Levine, Sun City

I read your article regarding prostate cancer in the Phoenix Living section of paper 12/26 and found it interesting. I am a 5 year survivor of prostate cancer and a 1 year survivor of lung cancer and doing very well on both counts. You talk about the biopsy in which they take 12 samples to test, thus leaving the possibility of missing the rest of the prostate. Am certain that you have heard of a Color Doppler Ultrasound in which the chances of detecting any cancer is much better as it is not a blind test. I have attached some info regarding the Color Doppler Ultrasound by Dr Duke K. Bahn, Ventura, California, whom you also may have heard about. At one time my PSA was 125 and it is now 0.03. I still have my prostate. My treatment consisted of approx. 2 years of Hormone Treatment along with Casodex and 43 IMRT Radiation treatments. The results have been excellent, but I am left with anemia which may have been a side effect of the radiation. I was 73 years old when I started treatment. The most important treatement that I had is the love and support of my wife, Inez and my family, along with Ralph Valle and Tom Brodzeller at our "Lunch Bunch Support Group". They are the reason that lead me to the realization that I own the cancer and it does not own me. They made me realize the importance of going to a Oncologist that specializes in prostate cancer and who than acts as my "Coach". Will admit my wife and I had to travel, but we wanted the best, so we went Dr Lam and Dr Shultz in Marina Del Rey, both Prostate Oncology Specialists. Many of our group have done the same and have had fantastic results. It was their office who insisted that I have a chest Xray as had smoked for many years, stopping approx. 16 years earlier. Well, I did and they found on spot which was malignant and fortunately was stage 1a. Had a portion of upper lung removed and am doing well as no further treatment necessary at this time. It is so imporant to have a coach to explain the various treatments so you are informed and can make the correct decision. Not only must you be informed, you need all the support you can get, maintain a positive attitude and be your own advocate.

Well, that is my story and I am sticking to it. You are certainly welcome to contact me anytime you wish, if you would like to talk further. You are welcome to join us for lunch at our Lunch Bunch meetings on Tuesdays at The Old Country Buffet at 11:30AM, 9820 West Parkway West, Metro Center, Phoenix.

Yes, you may post my story on your blog and it would be greatly appreciated if you would mention our "Lunch Bunch" prostate support group, which does meet weekly. If you need any further information regarding our group you can call either myself 623 931 0418, but probably would do best calling Tom Brodzeller 602 944 2338. Tom is a fountain of knowledge, as is Ralph Valle, when it comes to PC.


Pete Freeman wrote:

As the year comes to an end, I celebrate my first anniversary after having treatment for prostate cancer. I stand in awe at the thought of what could of happened and how this fear and worry turned into nothing but a true blessing.
I will be forever grateful to my friend who told me about proton therapy and the wonderful staff at Loma Linda Medical University in Loma Linda, Ca where I received my treatment .Without their intervention my life would have changed but not for the better. I feel the Platinum Standard for the care of prostate cancer is the proton beam therapy available at Loma Linda.
I do have to say that it saddens me to have read in this blog about the men who have gone through various types of treatment and are still suffering from the side effects of those treatments. I would find it interesting to know if any of those individuals knew about the option of proton beam therapy at Loma Linda.
As I reflect upon this past year I think about the many ways that I have grown. I am physically healthier, wiser and forever thankful for my new friends that I met during this journey. My wife and I often refer to it as our "Radiation Vacation". I have a lot to be thankful for as I look forward to the next year and my family feels the same.
As we move towards the year 2009, my goal is quite clear to me.I want to "pay it forward". I want to let other men who have prostate cancer know that they can survive this cancer without surgery. My hope is that by sharing my story another man will benefit.
During my treatment I was interviewed by a writer for the New York Times and he asked why I chose this treatment rather than the typical radical surgery? I told him "I was 67 yrs old and did not want to wear a diaper the rest of my life" as so many who have had radical surgery are doing.
I welcome your readers to contact me if they would like additional information.
pfreeman1940@gmail.com ete Freeman wrote: