Prostate Cancer -- So many questions after reading

USNC1

Hi, about 2 months ago, my biopsy revealed a Gleason 6 score of prostate cancer. Before I jump into my questions, let me first give you my stats and facts. I feel it will help generate some excellent advice.

Age: 54
Race: Black
Weight: 198lbs
Activity level - very active--puts over 10000 steps on my fitbit. somedays I put over 20k steps!
Height: 6' 2"

July 2014 -- local doctor noticed elevated PSA
October 2014 -- assigned urologist--had prostate exam
results showed enlarged prostate
April 2015 -- another PSA test--results -- PSA = 2.7, % Free PSA 3.7
July 2015 -- had prostate biopsy --- results index Gleason score: 3+3=6
4 out of the 12 samples were positive
clinical tumor stage T1c
Percentage of positive biopsy cores 33.33%

Ok, now that's my stats. Please help. At first, I was angry and just did not want to talk about it. I am married of over 32 years. Have 2 sons ages 30 and 27. My 27 yo is attending Dental school at the moment. I am retired military but still working in corporate america with a super 7 to 4 job looking to retire for good in about 12 more years. While on vacation this past weekend, I started reading the question of others with symptons like mine. I had to back off because some of this research is really overwhelming! It's like I go into an analysis paralysis! Ok, off my soap box! The wife and I met with the Levine Cancer institute doctor last month and we return for a follow up tomorrow.

In our last meeting, we learn the doctor said he's not too concerned about me and placed me on "active surveillance". BUT he did say they do not know how active this cancer is. He said he wants to test my PSA every 6 months. That made the wife feel better.

After that appointment, I visited my natural path doctor. She spent 2 hours with me explaining cancer in more detail and told me I had to change my diet and lifestyle. SO, I did. I started a paleo diet. I dropped 15lbs in only 2 weeks. I upped my work outs in the yard. The natural path doc gave me some vitamins to take and I take them religiously 3 times a day. My skin has cleared up, I sleep very well now and I feel great!

My urologist wanted me to do this oncotypeDX test. But after researching it, I decided against it. He called me and asked why? I told him why plus my insurance did not want to pay for it. He suggested another one that was much cheaper but that got me thinking---why did I not get this option months ago? I dug deeper with my doctor asking him why this other test. He said, they caught my cancer in time and the test will tell him how much time they have before we have to start treating this tumor. My response is, if I'm in active surveillance, what difference does it make? He said, he believes at some point in time I will have to have my prostate removed----he just does not know when. He said, the cancer may never grow. he said the goal if I deceide to keep the prostate is to keep it contained IN the prostate. So, I asked him. If you were me, What would you do? He said, active surveillance.

So, the wife feels better. Me? I'm angry and really don't want to talk about it but i have too. To ignore this is stupid....I know that. But I'm still angry! So, I called some folks who had prostate cancer and asked them lots of questions about there decision. Here is what I learned: Four men were diagnosed in their 60s. Two went with the radiation seeds. Only one had the prostate removed. Those 2 have quarterly follow-ups. Out of those 2 men, one of them had the cancer return and lost one of his testicles. The 2 men who had their prostate removed, the cancer never came back and they think it was the best decision.

So, here I am leaning towards having this cancer completely removed. I know for a fact my sex life will just about go away if I do. But why is that? Does the blue pill control the penis or the prostate? My natural doctor said, she can't tell me what to do, but she does believe I have to watch this closely and make a decision quickly depending on how active the cancer is. I will say this. Since I've been taking the vitamins and changed my diet, I do feel much better.

Any comments you can give me will help. thank you for your time! And, I'm still little angry that I got this thing called cancer! But I will bless the Lord no matter what happens to my life!

regards,
USNC1