Navigating #ProstateCancer: Expert Tips on Choosing the Best Prostate Cancer Care | #MarkScholzMD

0:49 What should recently diagnosed patient prioritize when trying to decide on treatment?
3:19 What does it mean to "still have time" in the context of advanced prostate cancer?
4:29 Where can patients go to find reliable information about their treatment options?
6:06 How should patients go about confirming the facts about their prostate cancer?
7:15 How should a patient go about narrowing down their best treatment options?
8:57 What should patients do to prioritize their own quality of life during treatment?
9:50 How can a patient know that the tools they are using to research are reliable?
11:34 How can patients be confident in their treatment choices?
13:56 How should a patient approach selecting the best practitioner for them?
15:19 What can patients do to feel more comfortable to make the best decision possible?
17:45 Alex's conclusions
20:17 If you need more help

Who we are:

[TERRY-cbku]

Earliest I've been here too. My MRI has just recently shown an 8mm lesion in the left anterior portion of my prostate but looks like it's confined to the capsule with nothing else seen in the pelvic area. PSA was 5.56 but dropped off to 4.3 after getting MRI and retested. Pirads 4 biopsy is recommended but hasn't been scheduled yet. I was diagnosed 15 years ago with a "calcification" in the prostate via a full body CT scan because of an accident, but was never advised to follow up. I'm hoping that's what they're seeing now. I have been seeing a urologist for years with regular blood work, due to BPH, and to check PSA levels. After recent rise in numbers, I was offered an MRI, which I had about a month ago. I have some hope that the biopsy will not show anything aggressive and praying for a Gleason 6 or something better. I'm going to take this doctor's advice and truly weigh my options. I'm 72, not married or currently seeing anyone, but I would like to keep my sexual health because right now I'm fully "capable". I binge watch this show regularly and it has given me the best hope yet. Wish me luck and prayers are appreciated.

[dimarjons]

Dr. Scholz, Alex, you guys are amazing people. Thank you.

[skyking]

Hope this helps... My annual PSA test went from a 3 to an 8 over 7 years. The biopsy confirmed cancer and the doctors at TUCC in Denver recommended 43 radiation treatments at 5 sessions a week or a 1 day surgery for removal. I chose the radiation and my PSA dropped to a 2 and is expected to go lower. The 12 core biopsy was done at the center and they made it almost painless. "Don't be bashful because we're not. We do this everyday." was mentioned several times. They also tattooed 3 dots on my midsection to line up the radiation machine and each session took about 6 minutes. They provided filtered water to help keep your bladder full and they had cookies on Friday. Oh yeah, request a sample pack of Flomax around your second week of treatments in case flow starts to slow/hurt. Everything was back to normal about 2 months after the treatments were completed. All the best!

[fshafferma]

Dr Scholz and Alex are incredible in reducing the anxiety and raising the hope and awareness for anyone with a prostate cancer diagnosis. It would be nice to see a video about the difference in biopsy procedures(transrectal vs transperineal). I only wish their videos were required viewing for all urologists who often are matter of fact and often not hopeful. Thank you both for your dedication, time and information. It makes a world of difference to every patient. I encourage everyone to donate to PCRI to insure more videos can be forth coming.

[AlaskanAssassin]

I was diagnosed at 51. MRI pirad 3, PSA 3.9, Gleason 3+4 with 5 percent of one core being 4. Decipher score .37. History of PC in family therefore I watched my PSA. Decided with HDR BRACHYTHERAPY monotherapy at Barnes in St. Louis. PSA dropped to 1.1 after 3 months. Nadir at .6. Bouncing now but it is expected at my age. Sexual function preserved however lower amount of ejaculate fluid, as was expected. I’m hoping my PSA to drop after this bounce within 2 years of therapy. I hope this helps, thus channel was immensely helpful and comforting. God bless

[oxy-gen]

My dad was diagnosed with CA prostate stage 4 with bone metastatic in Dec 2022, He had a turp surgery since then he is into various treatments chemotherapy, radiation and now into Harmone therapy Apalutamide.. his condition has not improved however I feel the psa levels plays a great role.. praying for his wellness and hope!

[bobmilo]

You guys help enlighten people to well rounded overall treatment options. Thanks for what you do.

[edwardbertorelli]

Thanks yet again for your valuable insights

[groovetube]

Gave your foundation a donation and it is matched by my employer. Thanks for all the good information. It is reassuring.

[jadoty]

I would request that you do a video on low-PSA tumors, and and how the treatment options change in that type of situation. For example, I have Gleason 9 cancer, but my PSA never exceeded 2.5, and I'm sure there must be others in similar situations

[nickstrapko]

All great advice here from Dr. Scholz. Knowing the basics of prostate cancer helped immensly. Gleason 4+3 Psa 8.7. Pirads 3. I had two readings of my biopsy by pathologist localy and Johns Hopkins Consult. Any major city will have experienced urologists, clinics, hospitals and options for treatment. I personaly have a major practice outside of Chicago close to me where I am receiving care. Thank you PCRI !

[visibleuniverse]

60 years old, BPH and Prostatitis for years, 90cc prostate (that's large), PSA 3.5 to 5.5 over the last 4 years, up and down. MRI 4 years ago, PIRADs 3, but Biopsy negative, but biopsy showed inflammation--prostatitis and calcification. PSA leveled off to 5 last year (2023), but my prostate density is low because of the size of my prostate. I had a follow up MRI last year (2023), showed a 6mm nodule, PIRADs 4. But my PSA went down to 4.5. Then had another MRI (without contrast) 3 months ago, 6mm nodule did not grow and radiologist thought it might just be a BPH nodule. I'm going to do a PSA every 6 months and an MRI once a year--sort of Active Surveillance without ever having a positive biopsy. Being vigilant and watching these videos gives me a lot of confidence if or when the time comes. My mortality becoming focused has actually made me appreciate and love my life, family, and friends each moment and each day.

[TOMMYSURIA]

Just schedule my first appointment with the Tampa Moffitt Cancer Center, after a Gleason 10 diagnosis.🤗
Thanks for all your help.

[pinotwinelover]

For those new to his videos, he hardly ever recommend surgery anymore because of the potential morbidity issues watch all his videos with the advancement in radiation and focal treatments especially one who has a great deal of experience. She's post surgery way down the line yet men rush out, like he mentions, and get surgery and live with the aftermath. Even the best surgeons who are highly skilled nerve and facia sparing know that the highest incontinent and ED rates come from what they do. This saves many peoples life's surgery has for many years. It was the only treatment option that was truly life-saving. Now with more information studies like the Oxford study, which show 15 your rate, mortalities the same no matter what treatment option you took why do the most invasive treatment first unless absolutely necessary

[dotunidowu]

I have just been diagnosed of localised prostrate cancer. I am 56yrs and test results as follows: psa 4.7, gleason score 7(3+4), T2, M0. I cancer is localised inside the left lobe of the prostate only. Not spread to lymph nodes. Dr scholz kindly sdvice best treatment option. Urinary incontinence and or bowel issues are critical for me.

[robbujold]

Such a great laying out of the process for deciding the right plan. Invest the time to learn about the different forms of prostate cancer and how different they all are. Focus in on the options for treating your specific form and stage of prostate cancer (with a second opinion on your specific diagnosis from a centre of excellence, if you have any doubts). Look at both survival and quality of life outcomes for each option. Take some time to sit and weigh these outcomes from both the survival and QOL perspectives to become comfortable that you’re making the right choice for you. Get the best doctor you can to deliver the treatment you’ve decided on. As Dr. Scholz explains, it really does take a methodical and disciplined approach, and some time. Don’t rush.

[AmberWhiskeyRGS]

PSA 22.5 - 25 (three different labs). MRI shows 22.5 and PI-RADS 4.
Biopsy and MRI Guided Biopsy Scheduled April 11 so we will see.
The channel has helped me a lot.
Colonoscopy scheduled two weeks after the biopsy.
When all this is done, I would like a PET or Bone scan to check my body for cancer.
Thank you,

[sandrawesterlund]

In 9/2016 my precious husband at the of 67, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. His start PSA was 1140. By the time he saw a doctor it had increased to 1980.
Thanks to all the new ways of treatment to bring to today2024, . He is on Pluvicto and happy to say is helping. Last PSA was very low.

The main thing he complains about behind his left knee hurts really bad and his quality of sleep at night is minimal.
Yes his cancer is all in his bones.

I truly appreciate your YouTube videos.

Any suggestions for the knee pain and sleep??
Thx

[TiHerr]

I’m very interested in learning more about these “centers of excellence” at the 6:50 mark of the video. I have my images from the MRI (PI-RADS 3, 7mm lesion) and I’d love to get a second opinion.

[rampar]

The biggest problem was majority of cancer patient relied on doctor to make decision. for them as in any other illness.
I am one of the few exception that I always tried to find out my illness or injury before I went to see the doctor.