Yep. It really has been fourteen years that I’ve been on this adventure. That’s a good thing considering that too many men don’t make it this far after their diagnosis. Of course, it would be better if none of us ever had to go down this path in the first place, but these are the cards that we’ve been dealt and we’re forced to soldier on.
In the past, I’ve railed against people who said that prostate cancer is an “easy cancer.” My views on that may be evolving over time into it being an easier cancer. Even that may not be an accurate way of describing it.
The treatment for other common cancers can be much more aggressive, adversely impacting quality life in much harsher ways much earlier on than some of the initial treatments for prostate cancer. With prostate cancer, you may have a snip-snip here or a zap-zap there and you’re on your merry way for years with a few possible side effects. With other cancers, you may have surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy all coming right out of the gate and, in many cases, your chances of making it to five years are quite low (see five-year survival charts below).
However, with prostate cancer you can be on this ride for decades before you get to the harsher advanced treatments like hormone therapy and chemotherapy. In the interim, though, you’re dealing with the physical impacts of early treatment (incontinence, impotence, etc.), as well as the psychological and emotional stress associated with each new PSA test result every three to twelve months over those same decades. Over time, both of those impacts—the physical and emotional—take their toll.
Don’t get me wrong. I am thankful that, out of all the cancers out there, I had to get the one with one of the highest survival rates of all of them. I guess I just want folks to know that it’s still cancer, and it’s cancer that you have to deal with—in ways big and small—on a daily basis for decades.
It may be easier, but it isn’t easy.
Dan's Journey through Prostate Cancer 
Yep, it sucks to say you have a good cancer. I have done surgery, radiation therapy times three, hormone therapy times two, chemo and a ton of meds. Sometimes I wonder why with all the side effects. But, I remember lots of people asking about my bucket list. I finally agreed two things. One, to see my daughter grow up healthy and happy. She is coming home next week after finishing her first year of a bachelor in nursing. Wonderful. Second, to grow old and cranky with my wife. Well, I am old and cranky but she is not yet. So, I have some time to go. Live life. Have fun. Do not regret. Cheers, Phil
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Hey Phil,
Thanks for sharing and congrats to your daughter completing her first year of nursing school. I think I’ve got a year or two on you (67 in January), so I’m perfecting the older and crankier part for you. 🙂 I’ll let you know how it goes.
All the best, Dan
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Prostate cancer comes in a variety of sub types. How and when it is detected has a big influence on treatments and outcomes. It still remains the biggest cancer killer of men even though many men will as you say have minimal treatment and something else will kill them for others who fit under that same broad term of “men with prostate cancer” their treatments will be hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and their death once it metastasises into its preferred part of the body, the bones, can be horrendous. Hopefully that will never be your or my outcome but it is outwith our control. It’s not written in the stars, but it probably is written in our genes.
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Hi Charles,
Thanks for your comment and insights. I’ve “watched” a few of my blog readers over the years go through the horrendous end that you described, and I don’t wish that on any of us.
There’s not a lot of longevity in my family genes. My dad died at 69 in his sleep (the best way to go), and his mom also died at 69 of a heart aneurism (also pretty instantaneous).
Of course, I’d prefer to hang on past 69 (that’s a little over 2 years away), but if I gotta go, I want to go quickly without suffering like they did. In the meantime, I’ll just keep living life.
Dan
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Couldn’t agree more with this post, Dan. I wish we didn’t feel the need to compare one cancer to the other, as if we’re competing for an award. Aren’t they all challenging in their own ways? And doesn’t anyone living through a cancer diagnosis deserve unqualified support and respect? Thanks, as always, for your insights. Keep soldiering on!!
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Thanks, Jim! It really isn’t a competition. One thing I try to remember is that, unless you’ve walked in our shoes, it’s difficult to truly understand the experience. (Even if you’ve had a family member who has had cancer.)
All the best!
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Dan hi from Australia again. Attached are some stats from my final blood samp
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