tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post4245650993284699616..comments2024-03-22T17:05:55.267-04:00Comments on MD Whistleblower: Prostate Cancer Screening: Stop The PSA Train!Michael Kirsch, M.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-71097844926617126722016-10-04T16:02:47.086-04:002016-10-04T16:02:47.086-04:00I hope somebody still reads this site because I ha...I hope somebody still reads this site because I have a question I can't seem to find the answer to. First I agree with what you said above about what are we supposed to use for screening? I think most men would much rather have a screening and to simply wait and worry and wonder whether or not they're getting cancer and if so whether or not it's too late. My husband just had prostate surgery. He had no symptoms nothing but his PSA came back abnormal. His urologist examined him and did biopsies but still did not Think there was anything to worry about. His test came back 11 out of 12 of the biopsies were aggressive cancer. My husband would've been dead in 10 years it had it not been for the PSA screening. That being said, I just wonder why it is that now he doesn't have a prostate at all, why are they testing his PSA levels now? I don't understand that Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06544106222232999311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-56479499703587203032013-09-12T19:11:56.509-04:002013-09-12T19:11:56.509-04:00DrK---this sounds familiar. Plenty of comments sh...DrK---this sounds familiar. Plenty of comments show you struck a nerve. My view----fear of lawsuits occasion all sorts of tests of dubious merit. If I read all the essays, can I receive an honorary medical degree? po<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-27202952028829024422013-01-07T07:08:39.911-05:002013-01-07T07:08:39.911-05:00Cancer is a complex set of diseases. Each cancer ...<a href="http://www.cancertreatment-wecareindia.com/" rel="nofollow"> Cancer</a> is a complex set of diseases. Each cancer is unique in the way it grows and develops, its chances of spreading depends on the way it affects one`s body and the symptoms one may experience . Several factors, including location and how the cancerous cells appear under the microscope, determine how cancer is diagnosed. <a href="http://www.cancertreatment-wecareindia.com/" rel="nofollow">Prostate cancer surgery India</a>We Care Indiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09179701895145578610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-90144352710077986952011-10-10T12:01:04.355-04:002011-10-10T12:01:04.355-04:00Getting tougher and tougher to cheerlead for PSA. ...Getting tougher and tougher to cheerlead for PSA. http://nyti.ms/oLPKAYMichael Kirsch, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-15464121824814522082011-09-29T18:01:17.038-04:002011-09-29T18:01:17.038-04:00Just came across your great blog and this post and...Just came across your great blog and this post and wondering if you've ever seen this: http://www.issuesinmedicalethics.org/043mi074.html The great American pseudo- epidemic of cancer of the prostate. Written in 1996. This guy, an m.d. and Standford Prof of medical ethics was spot on in his take on PSA testing. Why the Indian Journal and not the NEJM? Too many docs making too much money?Ed Dwuletnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-42238246946740372912010-12-07T11:16:52.276-05:002010-12-07T11:16:52.276-05:00Some PSA news from across the pond. http://bit.ly...Some PSA news from across the pond. http://bit.ly/gNcoWJMichael Kirsch, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-71703073631931081742010-07-27T16:44:18.935-04:002010-07-27T16:44:18.935-04:00Mr. _____, an otherwise healthy and vigorous membe...Mr. _____, an otherwise healthy and vigorous member of the community, died Monday the result of an aggressive brain tumor.....seven years following diagnosis of prostate cancer. Mr. ____chose to remain untreated for the usual reasons. Rest in Peace Dad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-6147660250814210142010-05-04T17:40:26.004-04:002010-05-04T17:40:26.004-04:00This article regarding Prostate Cancer Screening: ...This article regarding Prostate Cancer Screening: Stop The PSA Train is very informative and useful, the prostate cancer issue can affect your sexual activity, and this not only happen to older people as I used to believed, young people can also be affected so you may need to <a href="http://www.sharpmeds.com/" rel="nofollow">buy generic viagra</a> to avoid this situations. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-29728042364349585802010-03-13T17:37:17.164-05:002010-03-13T17:37:17.164-05:00Luckily, no one ever dies of prostate cancer so ha...Luckily, no one ever dies of prostate cancer so having a diagnosis, even an imperfect one, is a waste of time.<br /><br />You might try to understand your condition and spend money trying to live longer.<br /><br />I think the new cost conscious message to avoid PSA testing and wait for more sever conditions to present themselves is a much better idea. Heck, you will probably die of something else anyway so why bother.<br /><br />Of course now insurance companies can stop paying money for testing that is no longer recommended by a leading cancer organization.<br /><br />Now if they could do the same thing for that other non-problem, women's breast cancer screening ... Oh wait, that has already been done.<br /><br />Nice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-4909490591363346682010-03-10T10:32:17.458-05:002010-03-10T10:32:17.458-05:00I strongly recommend that all read the editorial f...I strongly recommend that all read the editorial from today's New York Times, written by the man who discovered the P.S.A. test. http://nyti.ms/9RoVerMichael Kirsch, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-81764294500482514172010-01-29T13:50:07.627-05:002010-01-29T13:50:07.627-05:00Hi Michael,
Thank you so much for the excellent ar...Hi Michael,<br />Thank you so much for the excellent article: "Stop the PSA Train! Recently, I attended an appointment with my husband who received a negative prostate biopsy result. I challenged the urologist with the results of the NEJM study and he would not engage in a discussion. Furthermore, he told my husband that he should have his PSA testing every six months and if it's high again proceed with a biopsy. We're unfortunately on the train and I want to get off but my husband is worried. The urologist said that the PSA/biopsy is just like having a regular colonoscopy. I argued that the PSA test/biopsy is much less accurate as a screening tool than a colonoscopy but he disagreed. <br /><br />Can you comment on this? Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-46454174612505915372010-01-23T01:30:15.096-05:002010-01-23T01:30:15.096-05:00THANKS! This site has been very helpful. The medi...THANKS! This site has been very helpful. The medical hospital lady was calling like a telemarketer trying to set my husband an appointment for prostate surgery. My husband was so worried that he was signing up but AS A RESULT of this site and the lack of a tumor, which was never discussed, we went for a 2nd opinion and determined surgery is unnecessary. My husband has only a few cells in one part of one area out of the six. Now we realize he was actually had a biopsy on a normal number the first time when he was left bleeding for two weeks. I know there are people who really need help and surgery but obviously people might be signing up for unnecessary surgery. So, all of this time my husband has been just about nuts, unable to relax, angry, etc. all leading to a case of tmj for me!!!! I continue reading and learning at this site often. Hopefully the sharing will help others. Thanks again for educating, allowing people to share and finding solutions.. PatriciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-80174110511796565862009-12-15T08:33:55.310-05:002009-12-15T08:33:55.310-05:00Dr. Kirsch,
Thank you for your blog posting. It ...Dr. Kirsch, <br /><br />Thank you for your blog posting. It is most appreciated. <br /><br />Recently, a dear friend of mine visited his general practitioner in order to obtain medication for ED. Instead of receiving medication, he ended up with a PSA test and a DRE. After receiving the results from the two, he was scheduled and since received a biopsy. <br /><br />He is presently 45 years old and in his early 20s had thyroid cancer, in which his thyroid was removed. <br /><br />I am in a quandary to his screening for prostate cancer over ED. From what I have read, ED is not necessarily a symptom of prostate cancer. His thyroid issue might result in ED. <br /><br />I am no physician and I haven't all of the appropriate information, but I find this screening unnecessary. <br /><br />The screening has created more anxiety and depression. When he went to the hospital to receive he biopsy, he wanted to discuss treatments at that time. My friend is already discussing removing the prostate and radiation treatment and he hasn't even received the results from the biopsy. <br /><br />He has lost a month of his life in worry, depression and anxiety. The quality of his life has literally dropped, just from receiving the screening for prostate cancer at the age of 45. <br /><br />Now I might be in denial, but I sincerely don't believe that he has prostate cancer or the other diseases that it could mimic. It is greatly due to research on my part that I have found that both tests can lead to a large percentage of false-positives. In some articles I have read that it cold produce false-negatives up to one-third of the time or more. <br /><br />It is my concern, not only for my friend, but also for my brother, father and son, that this could lead to a slippery slope. Men like my friend have a tendency to jump the gun for treatment that very well could lead to the loss of quality of life. I'm sure that the professionals involved will be happy to accommodate his wishes for treatment should his Gleason score be less than 5. He is an ideal candidate for over treatment, because these screenings have caused so much anxiety in him. <br /><br />The physiological factors or horrific. In addition, I have read that the screening for prostate cancer carries risks that might create more problems in which is sought to be cured (ED).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-28594239289538297352009-11-09T22:44:15.629-05:002009-11-09T22:44:15.629-05:00The company my husband worked for went under and b...The company my husband worked for went under and botched his insurance so he was without coverage. He had a PSA of 6 so insurance companies used that as a reason to deny him coverage at any cost. <br /><br />Five years have passed and he has had all sorts of tests and scans and there is nothing wrong with him though his test continue to be high.<br /><br /> Instead of a PSA test men of a certain age should go ahead and have real tests as a matter of course. It should be no different than a colonoscopy at 50. Then they wouldn't have their records marred with a meaningless black mark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-57975288277157768892009-11-08T17:15:41.342-05:002009-11-08T17:15:41.342-05:00anyone out there still following this thread, chec...anyone out there still following this thread, check out<br /><br />http://www.prweb.com/releases/AUA/prostatecancer/prweb3149724.htm<br /><br />Lee SmithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-24110079002013031982009-10-29T01:25:06.647-04:002009-10-29T01:25:06.647-04:00Yes, read the article in the NYT. Thank you.Yes, read the article in the NYT. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-75653183632453481442009-10-28T11:02:18.750-04:002009-10-28T11:02:18.750-04:00Imagine this:
Marijuana Fights Prostate Cancer
...Imagine this:<br /><br />Marijuana Fights Prostate Cancer<br /><br /><br />This comes as a surprise to Sandy Hutchens Cancer Prevention. Chemicals in marijuana have been found to stop prostate cancer cells from growing in the lab, suggesting that cannabis-based medicines could fight the disease in the future, scientists said.<br /><br />After working initially with human cancer cell lines, Ines Diaz-Laviada and colleagues from the University of Alcala in Madrid also tested one compound on mice and discovered it produced a significant reduction in tumor growth. Their research, published in the British Journal of Cancer, underlines the growing interest in the medical use of active chemicals called cannabinoids, which are found in marijuana.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-5007635606168133962009-10-28T09:44:00.167-04:002009-10-28T09:44:00.167-04:00another search notice is that supposedly vitamin B...another search notice is that supposedly vitamin B6 is getting strong reviews for keeping prostate cancer under control.<br /><br />As for second opinions........... ohhhhhh well, biopsy initially sounds innocent or harmless somehow. First there is alarm and then the suggestion for biopsy and people don't think 2nd opinion until the biopsy is over and the discovery the biopsy itself could be ??????????? questionable. <br /><br />As for the research involving cauliflower, brocolli, tumeric, etc. I read that cauliflower and brocolli should be used in conjunction with tumeric to be effective. In conjunction there is evidence of halting tumor growth. This is just a result of reading research which I include for others to read if interested.<br /><br />Oh well, we have choice but it seems to me it is easy to run one step behind when it comes to medical decisions. <br /><br />My husband had another appointment. The last biopsy showed early and only affecting one area so he asked about options other than the suggested probotic removal. He was told that he could have prostate cancer all over the prostate like the guy in the next room even though the biopsy, 3rd one, showed only one area. The first biopsy was normal, the 2nd one area atypical one area, the 3rd the same atypical area cancer cells but no tumor. Now he is told it could really be all over that they don't know. So, the psa is inaccurate and the biopsy can be that inaccurate so he is led to believe there is no choice but complete removal. <br /><br />He has been working on some of the alternative and will have another blood test in two weeks. His number shot up after the first biopsy, again after the 2nd biopsy and a lot more after the 3rd biopsy. His number only rises and rises with the testing so that in itself is quite confusing. <br /><br />I am afraid he is on the train.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-66794102892841838492009-10-21T16:33:40.053-04:002009-10-21T16:33:40.053-04:00This has been interesting reading. I am not as wel...This has been interesting reading. I am not as well educated as some of you are, just a lay person who thinks that CHOICE is what I have as a patient. So then, it seems to me that the government and those in the medical field need to work together to allow people with choice to get what they want or don't want. I have been fortunate to have doctors who informed me enough to choose whether to have a procedure or not. They gave the information and did nothing more to influence my choice to their way of thinking. When legislation of any kind diminishes my ability to choose, then that is freedom lost. That loss is unacceptable to me. Nevertheless, thanks for all the information.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-30125749726616448982009-10-21T07:54:03.134-04:002009-10-21T07:54:03.134-04:00More information from today's New York Times s...More information from today's New York Times supporting the Whistleblower. http://bit.ly/3UdKOpMichael Kirsch, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-69442799769653549352009-10-20T01:51:38.675-04:002009-10-20T01:51:38.675-04:00Oh, I was tired and didn't write enough above ...Oh, I was tired and didn't write enough above but anyone to try the flaxseed and cottage cheese needs to read the information online, which is more than I wrote last night. Do not eat sugar, white or brown, or preserved meats, margarine, etc. Really the diet is simple by using squeezed grape juice or other fruit juice for sweetner, or honey. There is a little more to know but easily picked up by reading about Dr. Budwig online. I am not advocating but only pointing out the research I discovered online along with the pros and cons.<br /><br />One notice was the Chinese said their research found onions and garlic more important than other research regarding lycopene. After reading Dr. Budwigs research it is to note onions are a sulphur food? so possibly some sulphur connection to the two unrelated researches. <br /><br />I am only out here reading and reporting research I have read about online, with no degrees or expertise of any kind. My comments only offer results of search others may not have read but might like to examine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-40673912050849185852009-10-19T17:48:56.554-04:002009-10-19T17:48:56.554-04:00THANKS FOR YOUR ARTICLE! WE DID A DOCUMENTARY CALL...THANKS FOR YOUR ARTICLE! WE DID A DOCUMENTARY CALLED "THE SECOND OPINION" ARGUING THE VALIDITY OF THE PSA TEST. WE INTERVIEWED THE SCIENTIST WHO DISCOVERED PSA AND CLEARLY STATES IT IS NOT "CANCER SPECIFIC" AND THE PSA TEST IS BORDERLINE "CRIMINAL"! WE ALSO INTERVIEWED MEN WHO WERE AND WERE NOT TREATED BECAUSE OF HIGH PSA #'S AND WHO TALK CANDIDLY ABOUT THE AFTER EFFECTS OF INCONTINENCE AND IMPOTENCE FROM TREATMENTS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-89505253629575310362009-10-19T04:11:36.515-04:002009-10-19T04:11:36.515-04:00Dr Budwig discovered that when she combined Flaxse...Dr Budwig discovered that when she combined Flaxseed oil, with its’ powerful healing nature of essential electron rich unsaturated fats, and cottage cheese, which is rich in sulfur protein, the chemical reaction produced makes the oil water soluble and easily absorbed into the cell membrane. <br /><br />This is what I was trying to explain in the above comment regarding the cottage cheese and flaxseed oil. <br /><br />I don't know if it works but my husband is putting it to the test somewhat. He is not mixing the flaxseed oil with the cottage cheese because whoever brought him the flaxseed brought pill form. I do not like the idea of taking pill form of anything but he plans to buy the actual flaxseed Tuesday. He is also including the saw palmetto? sp? in his diet so sorting throught which is actually helping is more difficult. He says he notices quite a difference since adding these substances but I am unsure the specifics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-37498436217702865362009-10-19T01:58:13.807-04:002009-10-19T01:58:13.807-04:00One night soon I will try to find the detailed wri...One night soon I will try to find the detailed write up but there was something about several nicks to an area and then the blood leaking into the other nicked areas... <br /><br />Another site where regular people worried there was someone asking about dragging cancerous cells through the rectum.<br /><br />Just to contribute some finding after some extensive searching there is some question why there is so little prostate cancer in India and China. There are theories. One involves the use of a spice tumeric in India. China claims it's study did not find licopene, such as in tomato, to be as helpful as other findings. China claims garlic and onion to be more helpful. Some studies indicate brocolli and cauliflower, etc. etc. ohhhhhhh but <br /><br />Saw palmetto is more consistently reported as helpful for prostate without argument.<br /><br />There was one site where a man claimed cottage cheese and flaxseed oil will benefit or perhaps he suggested reverse prostate cancer. That might sound odd but supposedly people who have prostate cancer were determined by blood test to be low in the Omega and the cottage cheese was brought into the picture by a woman in Germany who found or thought she found the sulpur protein? in the cottage cheese somehow carried or aided the flaxseed oil to???? I don't have this copied and it has been a while since I read the info but supposedly yogart could be used instead of the cottage cheese but eating more yogart than cottage cheese would be required. <br /><br />I think trying some saw palmetto or cottage cheese and flaxseed oil sounds like a winner in the beginning on some of the psa number leading to biopsy. For instance, with a psa 4 sounds like a time to try something instead of the biopsy which leads to higher psa itself and then more testing. In other words, the wait and see in the beginning if there are some diet or other options to try rather than the wait and see after a higher psa, some of which is the result of the biopsy and after the blood has been flowing, just in case. <br /><br />Hey, I hope for miracles but after hearing about the first biopsy on a psa 4 maybe that is not too crazy. The first biopsy on a psa 4 led to seeing a lot of blood for two weeks. If there is some chance something is there that can spread and won't be a good thing I would prefer the saw palmetto and the wait and see at that point rather than wait and see after a few biopsies and the number up to a 15. <br /><br />Also, it is unclear if the psa testing has been going on in the same type way in China and India. If not, could that suggest the reason prostate cancer is not the number 2 killer in India is because they are not tested and having biopsies and treatment or just because there is something otherwise significant. I don't know but from what I read it sounds like an attempt to get probotics into India so maybe check back and look at the statistics in India in the future. <br /><br />Oh, there is also vitamin d research suggesting lack of sun which might give the people who promote Natural Hygiene some recognition. They suggest putting all body parts in the sunlight. <br /><br />For now, this learning experience continues.<br /><br />PatriciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-56114278583949516772009-10-15T00:20:46.361-04:002009-10-15T00:20:46.361-04:00Hi Patricia,
The last I read, there was a rise of ...Hi Patricia,<br />The last I read, there was a rise of prostate cancer *diagnosis* with the introduction of the PSA test. People with a "high" PSA opted for biopsies, many of which confirmed cancers that never would have been discovered or ever have bothered the patient otherwise.<br /><br />I have seen a query elsewhere asking if biopsies of prostate-confined cancer might cause it to spread through cancer cells getting into the bloodstream when the needle is extracted. Does anyone know the risks of it, if any, or for that matter from cancer cell release from the prostate through the loss of prostate capsule integrity caused by the biopsy?Erich S.noreply@blogger.com