To all our friends and supporters, Dr. Jerry Bylander's personal note in 
last month's Directors Column is a classic case in the diagnosis of 
prostate cancer.  I personally study PC on a continuing basis to help 
our group and to share current  information and thoughts on tough cases 
of PC.  Jerry mentioned in his article that guidelines had changed and radiation 
therapy should have been administered two years prior to his doctor's 
current decision.  I am personally of the opinion that poor information or wrong 
information in this setting is a tragedy.  This problem is why men with PC or 
suspected PC need to attend our local US-TOO meetings on a regular 
basis.  Our group can or will provide you with the additional information 
you need to help you assist your physicians or raise questions about their 
decisions.  In the case of Dr. Bylander, what if after he receives radiation to 
the prostate bed, but then  his PSA slowly starts to rise?  The answer can 
be found at our meetings.  Prostate cancer can be managed with knowledge, 
and more than that, this cancer can be cured if detected early enough.  Be 
assured that it can be with the yearly PSA and DRE exam.  For more
information on your CaP contact me, Henri, or other directors at our 
monthly US-TOO meetings.  Henri Plunkett

Remember you are an important part of our support group. 
USTOO! Texoma needs you.

You remember the bell curve. You know the one your class begged the teacher to use whenever they really blew the test. This is the curve that gave mostly C's, some B's and D's and less A's and F's. Similarlly the practice of medicing is mostly based on this same curve. This distribution is where most patients fit. It is not helpful if you are in the minority of cases. For example, when you are told that you have an 80% chance of recovery, this may be just an educated guess on the part of your doctor, or when studies justify the number, it may be for the bulk of patients. That is the findings are for a large group of similar patients, but don't and can't hold for individuals. Therefore doctors must fit you into the proper niche: A, B, C, D or F. This is what is meant by the practice of medicine. Jerry Bylander.

A WARNING FOR RADIATION THERAPY PATIENTS Radition therapy to the Radiation of the prostate gland usually delivers a sizeable dose of radiation to the rectum and the colon. As a result patients will often have radiation damage within these normal tissues.This can cause diarrhea, bleeding and rectal pain; however other diseases such as colon cancer can also cause these symptoms. . The usual work up for rectal bleeding is a colonostopy to look for polyps or cancer. The big problem is after radiation therapy the rectal and colon tissue are very fragile and heal poorly. You must be sure to alert your physician to this condition during a colon workup, as there are many reported disaters caused by biopsies done during a colonscopy. As you might guess, these complications can lead to very serious complications such as bladder infections and other problems. If your doctor recommends colonscopy or sigmoidoscopy, make sure that adequate precautions are taken to avoid injury to the front part of the bowel located adjacent to the prostate gland. Henri Plunkett.

A word to the wise, or why attend our meetings? When I have talked to men who have attended prostate cancer support groups at one time or another, they sometimes have stated they felt some meetings left them a little blue. They noted they came to a meeting for great or good news about prostate cancer (CaP) only to discover this disease was a complicated issue. Some of talk and discussion confused or was somewhat depressing to them. They expected better news or even that they might not have to worry about their newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Welcome to reality, everyone. First, all forms of cancer are potential killers and second no cancers just go away because one doesn't want to face his responsibility in confronting this disease. Second, after he decides on a treatment for his cancer, is his ordeal over? Does this mean one would be through attending the CaP cancer information group? TO THE CONTRARY, what happens if your cancer returns? What to do, run back to doctor and ask what's next? Better, perhaps, by regular attendance and education about CaP, you would know your options or your next recourse for therapies. KNOWLEDGE REPLACES FEAR, and by the gift of knowledge you can be instrumental on the battle of your cancer. You may even help someone else who is facing your similar situation. Good information is anything but depressing. The truth in all aspects of life sometimes is not wonderful and always providing and easy solution, however in the truth there is always great reward, in this scenario of pc the reward could be your life. PLEASE attend our free meetings and extend or save yours. Henri Plunkett

*Date & Time:*	Tuesday, April 18, 2003, 7:00 PM
*Place:*	TMC Cafeteria
*Attendance:*	5 or 6 attendees


*Vol. 2, No. 5*	*May 2003*