Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. Prostate Cancer is the second most common cancer among American Men. Skin Cancer is number one.
About 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
Prostate Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer. About 1 - 41 men will die of prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer is very treatable if caught early. It develops mainly in older men. About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older.
The average age of diagnosis is 66.
Jeff was diagnosed with prostate cancer 3 years ago at age 52. He did not have any signs or symptoms and still to this day has not had any complications. Three years ago Jeff ruptured his bursa sac in his right elbow caused by a bone spur and was required to get a complete Physical before the surgery. His PSA came back elevated and the Dr thought he may have an infection and put him on antibiotics but the results remained the same. He was referred to a Urologist who checked him with no signs but did order a Biopsy. The Biopsy revealed he had Prostate Cancer. After seeking a second and third opinion he became a patient at the Mayo Clinic. He was offered many treatment options and he decided on Active Surveillance which is Watchful Waiting. He was required to visit and get tested every 3 months with another Biopsy after year 1. PSA numbers slowly creeped up and after 2 1/2 years it was time to make another decision about treatment. July 9, 2018 he will have a da Vinci Prostatectomy.
He does not regret his decision about Active Surveillance over the past 3 years. He iterates he has not had any symptoms or side effects and it allowed him to do extensive research so he could make the best decision for himself.
If you are a man 50 years or older please get your PSA checked (simple blood test) and a Colonoscopy. Jeff was blessed that he caught it early. When men begin to have signs or symptoms unchecked, it probably is too late and challenges will be much greater.
Jeff embarks on his new journey and challenges July 9 and he appreciates all the prayers, support, and love.
