The detected cancer fragment is too small to precisely determine the stage of the disease. Before undergoing this diagnostic exam, my urologist warns me that the likelihood of prostate cancer is 90%. I find his warning rather strange and unpleasant. Forewarned, I was not surprised by the news when the diagnosis came.

It is entirely natural to feel anxious upon learning of a cancer diagnosis. Most people know little about the potential implications of prostate cancer and react differently. When facing the unknown, I prefer to be well-informed to better understand the situation. I therefore conducted extensive research in books and on websites. I also contacted a specialized nurse working at a hospital in Montreal. Garde Grégoire is the founder of a support group for men with prostate cancer. By attending group meetings, I was able to discuss with other men who had similar experiences. Through lectures given by healthcare professionals, I gained a wealth of knowledge about this type of cancer, its treatments, and the side effects of therapies. Many men who have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer want to quickly undergo surgery or radiation therapy. However, they then experience side effects that affect their quality of life to varying degrees. What should I do in my case?

I needed to make a very important decision and wanted to consult another specialist. The nurse then arranged an appointment with another urologist. He recommended that I not react immediately but continue to monitor the disease through blood tests and digital rectal exams. Knowing that my case was not urgent relieved me. I could wait before undergoing surgery or radiation therapy. Every six months, I continued to have PSA tests, with levels dropping as low as 0.9 and never exceeding 4.0.

Today, I am 66 years old. Due to a sudden increase in my PSA level, I had to undergo a second series of biopsies in January 2003. This time, an infection was responsible for the increase in my PSA level. The PSA level returned to normal in a very short time. The second biopsy revealed the presence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in sample #3 and prostate cancer with a Gleason grade of 3 + 3 = 6 in 5% of sample #1. Since then, my PSA has remained at 2.1. My urologist recommends continuing with blood tests and monitoring my condition.

In short, I don’t think about prostate cancer and am not worried. My family believes that I should take my condition more seriously and try to eliminate the cancer. I will do so one day if advised. For now, I think we’ll see over time if I’ve chosen the best approach.