How many of you have sons?

I have 1 son on his 32 birthday he told his Dr that his Dad wanted him to run a PSA. The Dr asked and my son told him of our family history of PCa. Dr said "real smart to start checking you. We will run the PSA every year at your physical. The line of communication between myself and my son is quite open and direct.

It is comforting to know that he is taking care of that.

Cajun Jeff

Susan R. -

Thanks for sharing.

I guess what I'm really after in starting this thread is just to make sure I've thought of everything in stressing the importance of testing to my boys. I thought asking the rest of you about it might bring up some ideas I haven't thought to mention to them.

Here's what I'd really like to see happen! Within the next 10-15 years, maybe, just maybe, there might be a major breakthrough in PCa treatment that might make things like PSA testing much less important, maybe even moot.

Now wouldn't THAT be something!

If that happens, with your boys the ages you mention, maybe they (and you) will never even have to worry about this!

81 GyGuy--Lieutenant--My 2 boys are in their 40's and have been informed of the importance of annual testing--their wives have been informed by me also. The USPSTF's recommendation of "NO SCREENING" to include those at "risk" is largely being ignored by civilian hospitals but is a "mandate" to federal medical facilities..Veterans are no longer being screened by psa or dre's..This fact came to light recently in the Veterans Benefit Network Forum when a member was not screened and not told he was not being screened as in the past..When he requested the test he was refused. Approximately 1,000 members viewed all comments on this post to include mine so the word is getting around..There are other members on this forum that are "outraged" by the recommendation and will do everything in their power to have it overruled as will I...
I have published articles in our local newspaper but believe it is time to take action through political channels..In a few years "lawsuits" will be submitted by veterans who now present with late stage pca that could have been detected and cured in its earlier stages: however, I cannot wait for this fiasco to take place...If you have any recommendations, I would appreciate them!! This is the same task force that was overruled on its recommendation of "no Screening for women in their 40's for breast cancer..It can be done.
Bill
Age 70 now--A "seasoned vet"
Dx'd--Sept 2010--Psa 4.89 Stage 3 high risk gleason 8 (5 cores) and 4 gleason 7's out of 10 cores with high volume and ece.
Completed 79.2g's IMRT Feb 2011--3 years lupron and 1 year to go...06 after radiation and now<.03

off topic of the thread, but.....not all military dr or facilities are following that recommendation. Michael was tested through his physical for his retirement. The Dr he had for this exam just happened to run the PSA and it came back high for a 39 year old. Due to that DR requesting the test, at Ft Bragg, Womack hospital, he was diagnosed early and has had surgery. So I agree with you that it is completely an outrage that the government has gotten rid of the testing, but I dont think all in the military community feel this is right and they are not following it. Thank God for those who think on their own.

This does need to be changed, men need to be tested on a regular basis. Good for you with trying to get the info out there. Not sure what I could do but let me know if you think of anything and I will see what I can do.

I have 2 sons. I have told both of them to be aware of my disease and to establish a base line PSA when they get older.

I am a recovering alcoholic, sober 23 years, and have told my sons also to be aware that it is a family disease and that they need to know that alcoholism is in their genes on both sides of their family.
I did this when I first got sober and now my oldest son is a full blown alcoholic.

You can talk and preach and show them what they need to do but everyone makes their choices.

I just found out this week that my oldest son went back to drinking after 5 months of sobriety so I am not in the best frame of mind right now. I was told many years ago that some people NEED to experience their own pain before they are ready. I guess my son hasn't had enough pain yet.

Good luck to everyone with their sons.

Bill

My oldest son is 35, he will have his first PSA test this year, to set a baseline. My youngest son is 29, he promises to have his baseline also done at 35. They are fully aware and in tune with my world of PC, and are more than willing to keep themselves as safe as possible..

david

I have not been diagnosed, but my father was. When he was diagnosed, i don't know that there even was a PSA test, and he never discussed it with me. He was very ill otherwise by the time he was diagnosed, though, with heart problems, kidney problems, and dementia.
My son is 32 will be 33 in a few months. I did tell him that i needed to be biopsied. I didn't make too big a deal about it, because he is very paranoid about health issues. However i made the point that its in our family and that when he is 40 at the latest, he should start getting PSA tests. Should i be diagnosed in the future, before he turns 40, i will tell him it should happen sooner.

I have two sons and they both were told of the risks as soon as I knew.....They are 34 and 32...

My son is 23. I don't think it's worth him freaking out about getting the disease at his age but I do think it would be worthwhile for him to adapt some healthy lifestyle changes. He's currently overweight, eats a high fat diet and minimal vegetables. I don't expect any radical changes, like vegetarianism, but I have talked to him and suggested he add more vegetables to his diet and incorporate a little exercise into his regime. I've explained that high-fat diets, reduced vegetable intake and being overweight are all suspected as factors that increase the risk of getting prostate cancer. So far he doesn't appear to be heeding my advice.

I'm thinking the VA is totally different than active duty and tricare for retired military. Retired military are required to pay into tricare and get the same care as active duty....only difference is they have a premium...although its small.

I was called in for my 50 yr physical and that was my first PSA thru the military...they told me 50 is the normal age they test at. They also said my 2 sons who are still in their 20's can get one at 40 because of high risk. VA seems to be on a totally different set of rules.

We have three sons from 36-40. All have been advised but, as many of you have said; they will have to decide to take it from there. My husband's was caught by a required yearly check up for his company. Two of my son's companies don't seem to require that, but will have that discussion with them. They also do not go to the doctor unless desperately ill - like their mom, except for mammograms; so harder to get them to go.

My two cents on the recommendations against early testing is that I would rather have false positives than too late to stop/treat as easily.

I have two boys 12 and 15 so it's a bit early for them. When they're older I'll get on their case about getting tested. When I was first diagnosed my older boy was worried about getting it himself but I managed to convince him he had a few good years ahead of him yet.