Jamie Bearse is the CEO of ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer, a prostate cancer nonprofit organization that advances research, encourages action, and provides education and support to men and their families through patient-centric programs.
Prostatepedia spoke with him about the changes President-elect Donald Trump’s administration may bring to prostate cancer.
Steve B: I had missed two or three years of annual screening and suddenly had a PSA of 17. I went to a urologist. Immediately, he recommended robotic surgery. It was almost too blatant. I’ll say it that way.
Fortunately, because of a family friend, we knew of Dr. Snuffy Myers and sought a second opinion. My brother reminded me that the gentleman had said, “You may need to know this some day. Prostate cancer affects a large population of men.”
Dr. Myers said, “Let’s try treating your cancer with Avodart and an exercise and diet program.” We did and we were able to bring my PSA right back down.
Steve B: I was perfectly fine with the idea. The friend had had a similar situation and was on active surveillance. He more or less suggested that this would be the hopeful outcome.
You were comfortable with active surveillance because your friend had already been doing it and it was a concept you were familiar with?
Steve B: Yes.
Steve B: Annual imaging with color Doppler transrectal ultrasound with Dr. Duke Bahn, a visit to see Dr. Myers every year, and a blood test every three months.
Steve B: It’s a simple dietary regimen. I’m very given to routine. As a matter of fact, I’m quite happy doing the same thing every day.
Steve B: Be sure to get your PSA checked every year. That is the one way to catch the cancer in an early stage. I had a Gleason 6. Although the cancer is there, the size is clinically insignificant. So early diagnosis, correct treatment, and follow-up were successful in bringing my PSA to a normal range. And it’s remained in a normal range.
Annual screening is my best advice. A blood test is the least invasive procedure of all. If you do have some indicator that you have a rising PSA, well then you’ve got to take appropriate action. If you’re fortunate, active surveillance is the best outcome.
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