by Gene Slattery
I am not in the medical field; I am a 10-year survivor of PCa and have researched for 10 years to interpret all the articles and websites for answers to teach myself about PCa. I do have professional help that works with me with my PCa. I wish I knew everything that is written below 10 years ago. It would have given me a good plan for life a lot sooner. My goal as President of ASPI is to interpret data and empower men with rising PSA, newly diagnosed, and on Active Surveillance (AS) to help them become more proactive with their health care.
Let’s talk about men age 40-70 years old who are at risk of prostate cancer. If men have any form of cancer in their family, have a history of cancer, or were exposed to agent orange, then they become a medium to high-risk candidate for prostate cancer (PCa). It is a known fact that this group of men need to be more vigilant and be more proactive with early screening of PCA. This is very important for their quality of life. Early screening is a proactive approach and is a safety net for these men. Early detection and research will help them design a good quality of life plans and avoid many pitfalls of prostate cancer. Many of these men will never face treatment with proper lifestyle changes and exercise. Yes, men can live and have a great quality of life once they take charge of their own health care. Their sons could also avoid prostate cancer by being proactive.
Cancer is only one disease that men may face. A man needs a healthy body to fight disease of any kind. Men cannot win the battles of disease without lifestyle changes, exercise, supplements, faith, positive attitude, will power and a protocol for life. Our body cannot win the battles if it is operating at less than 80 to 100%. Men can determine their own destiny to win each battle everyday and win the final war.
I believe I had one opportunity to make lots of changes in my life to fight my cancer battles. 10 years later I am extremely happy that I chose to fight with everything I could put together for a good quality of life. I had to change my life completely. I never gave up no matter who laughed or told me I was nuts.
For early detection and being proactive, here are some good options to consider:
It is recommended that men get a copy or DVD of every test they have run and set up a personal health folder on themselves. Doctors many times do not read your in-house report prior to your appointment so it’s a good idea to have a copy for them.
Some tests to consider prior to a biopsy:
- The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test: (High Sensitivity) Used by a health practitioner to detect inflammation. CRP is an acute phase reactant, a protein made by the liver and released into the blood within a few hours after tissue injury, the start of an infection, or other cause of inflammation. This is a good test for Cardiovascular (CV) information and you can use it for monitoring your heart. Men need a healthy heart so that they can fight the battles.
- The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: (CMP) A chemical screen is a panel of 14 blood tests which serve as an initial broad medical screening tool. The CMP provides a rough check of kidney function, liver function, diabetic and parathyroid status, and electrolyte and fluid balance, but this type of screening has its limitations.
- Complete Blood Count: (CBC) with Differential/Platelet: A complete blood count is a blood panel requested by a doctor or other medical professional that gives information about the cells in a patient’s blood, such as the cell count for each blood cell type and the concentrations of hemoglobin. A scientist or lab technician performs the requested testing and provides the requesting medical professional with the results of the CBC.
- Lipid Panel, Reflex to Direct LDL if indicated: Tests for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, cholesterol HDL ratio, cholesterol panel. This group of tests measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Cholesterol and triglycerides are fats (lipids). This panel measures: Total cholesterol is a measurement of both good and bad cholesterol.
- Homocysteine, Plasma: Homocysteine is a non-proteinogenic α-amino acid. It is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine, differing by an additional methylene bridge. It is biosynthesized from methionine by the removal of its terminal Cε methyl group. Homocysteine can be recycled into methionine or converted into cysteine with the aid of certain B-vitamins.
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor: (IGF-1) Is a hormone that, along with growth hormone (GH), helps promote normal bone and tissue growth and development. The test measures the amount of IGF-1 in the blood. IGF-1 is produced by the liver and skeletal muscle as.
- Galectin-3: Is a biomarker that appears to be actively involved in both the inflammatory and fibrotic pathways that are thought to be involved & nbsp; Galectin-3 is a carbohydrate-binding lectin whose expression is associated with inflammatory cells including macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and multiple other biological effects. In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D3 and vitamin D2. Cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol can be ingested from the diet and from supplements.
- Testosterone: Is the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. In male humans, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair. In addition, testosterone is involved in health and well-being, and the prevention of osteoporosis. Insufficient levels of testosterone in men may lead to abnormalities including frailty and bone loss. Very important for your health, energy and sexual performance. Research is needed on this hormone. There are two sides to the story and both sides need to be explored. Research Testosterone Therapy.
- Estrogen is important in men with PCa:
- Estradiol (Salvia)
- Estrone (Saliva)
- Thyroid Panel II: T4 Free, T3 Free with TSH: This test delivers an enhanced thyroid profile because it screens for the level of free T4 and T3 hormones in the bloodstream. This is an important distinction, since the level of free T4 hormone illustrates how much is immediately available for uptake and use by cells, and measure of free T3 hormone in the body is considered a more accurate view of hormonal balance than a total T3 reading. In addition, this test also measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland. This test result will indicate if your body is producing too much—or too little—of this critical hormone, which regulates T4 and T3 output.
- Balance Men’s Hormones: Very important to know all your hormones are balanced. You need every weapon in your arsenal to fight your battles.
- Spectracel Nutrients Tests: SpectraCell’s Micronutrient test provides the most comprehensive nutritional analysis available by measuring functional deficiencies at the cellular level. It is an assessment of how well the body utilizes 33 vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants, and metabolites while conveying the body’s need for these micronutrients that enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones, and other substances essential for proper growth, development, and good health. This test provides the basis of a personalized, functional approach in addressing a broad variety of clinical conditions including arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular risk, diabetes, various immunological disorders, metabolic disorders, and micronutrient deficiencies. I have run this test for several years to know exactly what I have to work on for my health. Think about a man’s total health before any treatments. If a man’s body is not right to start with, then how can he win any battles? Going into battles with one hand tied behind his back is a losing proposition.
- Prostate Specific Antigen: (PSA) This is not a perfect test but part of a group of tests that are very important. Prostate-specific antigen, also known as gamma-seminoprotein or kallikrein-3, is a glycoprotein enzyme encoded in humans by the KLK3 gene. PSA is a member of the kallikrein-related peptidase family and is secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland. PSA is produced for the ejaculate, where it liquefies semen in the seminal coagulum and allows sperm to swim freely. It is also believed to be instrumental in dissolving cervical mucus, allowing the entry of sperm into the uterus.
- PSA Total + % Free: Prostate Cancer will have a higher bound PSA ratio. Enlarged prostate and prostatitis will have a higher free PSA ratio. If your free PSA results are less than 25%, your risk for developing prostate cancer is between 10% to 20%. If your free PSA results are less than 10%, your risk for developing prostate cancer jumps to around 50%.
- PSA Complexed: This PSA test is a Complex Prostate Specific Antigen test and is more sensitive than a standard PSA test. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is currently one of the screening tests for prostate cancer and prostate disorders.
- Prostate Acid Phosphatase: (PAP) This is a reliable early test and should be a part of any arsenal. Prostatic acid phosphatase, also prostatic specific acid phosphatase, is an enzyme produced by the prostate. It may be found in increased amounts in men who have prostate cancer or other diseases.
- Navarro HCG Urine Immunoassay: as a Cancer Diagnostic by FACT The Navarro HCG test is a noninvasive urinalysis that can, with a high degree of accuracy, detect cell activity which may be indicative of a precancerous or cancer condition.
- MDx Test: SelectMDx for Prostate Cancer measures biomarkers that help a physician determine if a patient is at higher or lower risk for Prostate Cancer and which men can safely avoid biopsy.
- A non-invasive urine test (“liquid biopsy”), Select MDx measures the expression of two mRNA cancer-related biomarkers (HOXC6 and DLX1).1 The test provides binary results that, when combined with the patient’s clinical risk factors, help the physician determine whether:
- The patient may benefit from a biopsy and early prostate detection
- The patient can avoid a biopsy and return to routine screening
- Digital Rectal Exam: (DRE) The digital rectal exam is a physical examination of the rectum, the last few inches of the bowel, just above the anus. The doctor uses a gloved and lubricated finger to check for abnormalities of the anus and rectum.
- The physician is feeling for any nodules on the outside of the prostate gland.
If any of these tests turn up a yellow or a red flag, action needs to be taken and discussed further or men would be free of prostate issues and then be rechecked next year.
Before Biopsy:
With a result of a yellow or red flag, the following tests can be considered:
- Color Doppler Cutting edge technologies. Color Doppler is a medical imaging technique utilized to offer visualization of the blood flow by using color processing to add color in the image so that a doctor can see what is happening inside the body. I have followed my PCa for 4 years with this test.
Imaging:
- Micro-Ultrasound System Scan: A revolution in ultrasound, operating at 29 MHz Micro-ultrasound resolution is comparable to MRI and 300% improvement over conventional ultrasound. Assessing the diagnostic accuracy of micro-ultrasound for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer: Results from a single-institutional experience.
3T mpMRI:
- Prostate 3T MRI. Prostate 3T MRI is a noninvasive imaging technique that does not utilize exposure to ionizing radiation. This MRI study uses a contrast agent, or dye, that is vital to the exam. Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is used to help the DIS radiologist identify lesions suspicious for prostate cancer. Rather than undergo repeat biopsies. This can be done without any transfer contrast agent. This is a safe way with today’s technology and should be the preferred way of imaging for today’s patients.
With or Without a biopsy these tests are very accurate and will be used in assessing a man’s prostate condition.
A Targeted Biopsy can be performed if necessary, on either machine.