Quote:
Originally Posted by dillywho
Until cancer becomes extinct, there can never be too much access to facilities, equipment, drugs, or whatever no matter the means. IMHO
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I disagree with the statement that there can never be too much access. Let me tell you my story.
When my PSA starting going up seven years ago, I researched who were the top doctors that treated prostate conditions. I found a medical oncologist who treated nothing but prostate related diseases. Although he was five hours from my home, I felt it was important enough to make the trip. After doing a COMPLETE physical assessment, he recommended a biopsy. However, he also recommended that I go one of several physicians who use color dopler ultrasound to guide their biopsy because it highlights blood source which cancer needs to grow. The norm at the time was for grey scale ultrasound which doesn’t highlight blood source. He also recommended that the biopsy slides be sent to a pathologist who does nothing but prostate tissue because it is important that the correct gleason score be assigned if cancer is found. Unfortunately, after following his guidance I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
This oncologist then started me on androgen deprivation therapy and after two months my PSA had dropped significantly, or so I thought. This oncologist, however, felt it should have been lower and recommended that I receive radiation treatment. He then suggested that I go to one of three sites in the USA who do nothing but prostate cancer AND publish their results. No only are their results good but the side effects from treatment were significantly less than normal. I settled on a place in Sarasota and rented a villa there while being treated for two months. So, here I am seven years later, with an undetectable PSA and no significant side effects.
Two points from all this:
1. The doctor doing the treatment and his expertise is way more important than just having a facility. The Villages may be getting a “Moffit” center but they are NOT getting “Moffit” doctors or necessarily “Moffit” class treatment. All doctors are not the same, even though they are in the same specialty. The doctor who graduates at the top of his class and the one who graduates at the bottom are both called doctor. You have to search out the ones at the top. In addition to their practices, they will take part in research AND publish their results.
2. Don’t be afraid to travel for treatment. In most cases, the initial treatment is the major determinant on whether an effective cure is made for many cancers. Subsequent salvage treatments may effect cures but usually just prolong life.