My PSA has remained < 0.1 since surgery. I've done a great deal of research on Prostate Cancer and I would be happy to help anyone I can. I am not a physician.

Dennis is now 55, his PSA is still below 0.10 ng/ml and he moves into Silver Status, having completed five years after his treatment.

Dennis is now 57 and his PSA is 0.08 ng/ml after moving to a secondary treatment of Avodart after a slight PSA rise to .08 four years ago, I've had no changes.

During my last visit with Dr. Charles "Snuffy" Myers he said that he really doubted that I have a recurrence even though I do have a detectable PSA. It is doubtful that there is any indicated doubling time. If there is, the doubling time is more than two years. His comment was, "At this rate, you'll be a 115 years old before it gives you any problems."

My PSA reading in August was 0.16. Dr. Charles Myers of Charlottesville, VA remains unconvinced that the PSA is related to cancer. It may be a small amount of remaining post-RP prostate material. Even if it is cancer, the doubling rate is so slow the issue seems essentially irrelevant to him. In fact, he said that he didn't know what I would ultimately die from but it would not be PCa.

I remain on Avodart and watching my intake of certain foods. It has now been almost 12 years since I ate beef or pork, for example.

My primary advice to newly diagnosed men is to research before they decide that surgery or radiation is best. Also, pay careful attention to your emotions and thoughts. The greatest battle I have had from diagnosis, through treatment, and for some time after treatment was emotional not physical. The end of the word has not come! Don't give up.

I'm now 13 year past surgery. My PSA is 0.20 rising very slowly. I have no plans for further adjuvant treatment at this time.

I am now 14 years after surgery. My doctor, continues to say that I may have a small amount of prostate tissue left that is growing normally or it could be a small amount of cancer left. Whatever the case, after this period of time my doubling rate would be so slow that it will never create a problem. I rarely think of PCa any more. Though the years, I've had the privilege of talking with many men about their diagnosis and options. It is always my privilege to do so.

No big changes for me. I had my annual PSA recently with only a minor adjust.

Still doing well 16 years post op.

Now 17 years post op. PSA is still low. This year I discontinued Avodart and experienced no rise in PSA. Prostate cancer does not come to my mind any longer. I am in a position to talk with many men who have been recently diagnosed and enjoy offering a word of encouragement and suggestion. A friend just went through a post op recurrence of PSA and chose proton therapy here in Oklahoma City. He was very pleased with the results.

18 years post op. PSA .4 and no significant problems due surgery.

Still enjoying low PSA since 1998.

Because of the work I do, I know many men with prostate cancer. Some react to it with little concern but many of us take this diagnosis hard. Having the support of others who have "been there, did that" is very helpful.

I encourage you to reach out and share your story with others. Be honest; others have experienced your emotions and may be of help. There is a lot of hope. There is life after prostate cancer.

I retired this year and moved to Phoenix. My primary focus now is my family and serving ministry families with counseling and mentoring. My life-long friend was diagnosed with PCa 2 years ago and now has 11 mets. I encouraged him to see to Sholtz in Los Angeles and his PSA is currently .01 after hormone therapy and chemo.

Contact me if I can help you.

I'm now 20 years away from diagnosis and surgery. Over these years, my PSA has increased very gradually. At this point, I see no need to deal with it, unless the doubling rate suddenly increases. So, I'll get a PSA check twice a year and not worry about it.

I remain happy to help you if I can.

Dennis Newkirk

It has been 22 years since diagnosis. I still check my PSA once a year. It is increasing but very slowly.

I'm 22 years and 5 months out of treatment. My PSA continues to rise slowly. It is now .7. If I calculate correctly, that is a 2-3 year doubling rate. If that proves to be true, I doubt that I'll go into hormone therapy because I won't have symptoms within a plausible potential morbidity.

Currently giving little thought to prostate cancer other helping guys who have been recently diagnosed. My doubling time is 5 years. I'm 72 years old and with my doubling time I don't think that there is reason for concern. Best wishes to all the newly diagnosed guys. For many it is a frightening time. Reach out for help.

Dennis

I have very slowly rising PSA. At 74 years old, and a current PSA of 1.1, I'm not giving it much thought. My doc does want me to have a bone scan so I'll do that next month. If I can help you or answer any questions, I'm happy to do so.

Dennis Newkirk

It's official. Twenty-six years after diagnosis and Radical Prostatectomy, my cancer has recurred. My PSA rose to 1.2. While that is certainly not high, the Urologist wanted to do a PCa-sensitive CAT scan to investigate. A minimal mass was found in the prostate bed. The Urologist said that he wanted to prescribe Casodex. I am not inclined to do that due to the side effects. So, I consulted an Oncologist, who agreed that doing a short-term Casodex treatment would be good. So, I accepted their recommendation.

My question to the doctors concerned the slow doubling rate. After all, it has been 26 years, and I only have a PSA of 1.2. I'm 75 years old, and chances are that it will be many years before the cancer becomes problematic. I doubt I have "many years," so why treat it and endure the side effects? The doctors persisted, and I accepted their opinion.

The moral of my story is from here on out. Don't think one procedure and an undetectable PSA, for a period of time, will guarantee a free pass on future recurrence. I do not want to frighten anyone. Keep things in perspective; there are great adjuvant therapies.

If you want to talk, write me at dennisnewkirk@gmail.com.

Dennis

Dennis's e-mail address is: dennisnewkirk AT gmail.com (replace "AT" with "@")