31-year Air Force aircraft mechanic here, age 55, seeing the VA in Minneapolis for my prostate cancer 4+3 7 diagnosis. I started at my civilian urologist with the PSA test and MRI guided biopsy. Due to qualifying for the Pact Act treatments, started working with the VA. Very positive experience so far, have seen VA lab, Urology dept, CT/PET scan, Oncology and next week Radiation Oncology all in the month of March. Yes, many appointments and waiting to see doctors, but they have all been very kind, courteous and knowledgeable. The Oncology dept doctors told me with modern radiation, (I do not want surgery due to the possible long term incont and ED issues at age 55) after my PET scan indicated no spread outside of the prostate; I should have a great chance at a cure. Just want to say not all VA hospitals are bad or lacking in compassion. Thanks, PCRI for the information you provided!!! You have steered me away from surgery towards modern radiology!! Hope all my fellow veterans get the care and treatments they deserve!
Thanks for the video. The V A likes to take their time about everything. And not all civilian doctors are on top of this. You have to advocate for your self. Don’t give up the fight. If you have a prostate cancer support group close by use that also it can help a lot and can help you navigate this process to. Good luck 👍
I am 77 and a Viet Nam veteran. I have been in the VA healthcare system since 2001. My PSA was tested annually and was 5 for years. It increased to 5.5 in 2015. I went to a civilian Urologist (as I could get an appointment) who suggested a biopsy. The biopsy showed 2 cores of 12 were cancerous and I had a Gleason score of a low 7. I was referred to a surgeon and an oncologist. The surgeon said wait and watch. The ongologist suggested Calypso radiation where 3 non radioactive GPS transmitters are implanted in the prostate to guide the radiation. The VA offered nothing as sophisticated. I had 45 radiation treatments over 9 weeks, I still went to the gym and mowed my own lawn in SW Florida. Radiation was a walk in the park. I had one shot of Hormone Deprivation juice and the side effects of man boobs, night sweats and fatigue lasted for months. Per my Urologist, I am now a person with a history of Prostate Cancer. I was exposed to Agent Orange. I asked the VA ro pay for my treatment. The could not have been nastier. The drug their feet, delayed. postponed and denied. The Patient Advocate was less than worthless. The VA billed me for co payments which did not apply. I won The VA terminated my disability payments early and acted as if they didn't know the rules. I had to educate them. I won. The Choice act was a very bad joke. The treatment of those returning from Viet Nam was bad, but the VA tried to ignore us for years. They delibertely under served us. You MUST be your own advocate. The VA says "Its our turn to serve you" They took a very long time to take their turn. "Only 42 VA sites have radiaion treatmnet." The VSA had "heard" of Calypso Radiaition, but that was it.
About 6 years ago, my PSA went to 4.5, but my VA PCP said nothing about getting a biopsy or mpMRI for prostate cancer. Then it stayed just under 4 for around 5 years until it went to between 5 and 6 last year. Again my PCP said nothing about getting anything done until then, and I got a Urology consult. I asked an attending for a genomic urine test which might indicate possible cancer. He instead said “Let’s do a mpMRI”, which disclosed a PIRADS 4 lesion, that lead to a Gleason 4+5 focal biopsy. Prostatectomy was done, with clear margins, but ePLND produced a positive lymph node. The tiger is out of the cage. I think I should have been biopsied or MRIed 6 years ago, when the lesion might have been less malignant. The VA screening criteria was NOT sufficient to detect my lesion in time. Now I am regionally metastatic stage IVa, headed for adjuvant pelvic radiation when I might have been “cured” 6 years ago. I owe my current treatment to things I read at PCRI and videos done by Alex and Dr Scholz that lead me to seek investigation and treatment on my own behalf. Thank you both.
My husband is Gleason 9 I'm really loss for words He was having trouble peeing and his PSA numbers were up and had been going up So they did the surgery so they could help him pee They said no cancer ok it's 6 months later same problem peeing so number 2 surgery now they say Gleason 9 Said nothing they can do I really feel they drop the ball on my husband V.A. i really feel they should be responsible for his condition. I'm really hurt
I’m 72, retired US Army. I originally was in the Navy 1969-1974. I was in the exclusion zone fore Agent Orange. I was diagnosed with Prostate in 2017. My PSA was 5.6 which is high for my age. No treatment Judy monitor. We’ll last blood test Dec 2022 shows 7.67 doc says we’ll still monitor. I applied for VA disability for the first Dec 21,2022,so claiming prostate cancer, knee problems,back injurie,skin cancer,hearing loss ,COPD and tinnitus. Had C&P exam March 3,will blood draw March and chest X-ray today ,got a letter today saying the VA was sorry for taking so long with the claim.so looks like they are on the ball and willing to get my rating very soon.
My psa was 50 on December 20,2022 and I had to call my State Senator Roger Wicker to tell the VA for me to take radiation therapy in Vicksburg Mississippi instead of using the VA facilities in Jackson Mississippi. My psa is down to 5.7 from 50 psa.
I'm an American Vietnam Veteran (2/502 Inf, 101st Airborne), who in 1979 took an offer of teaching in Australia after 9 years total Army, moved my sons and I, down under. I'm 100% disable rated and have since got prostrate cancer .... all my Vietnam Veteran friends both here and in the USA have either died from cancer or took their own lives. I've spent over 50 grand to be treated by a private hospital as Covid was causing issues with our public health care, but I can no longer afford those payments along with the other specialists for my service connected medical issues. So I stopped going I no longer have anyone to speak to, I live alone..... The pain from everything; broken back, heart, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD has taken it's toll .... I hope your posting can help other vets out. I've decide to just take an "Angle Flight" as I'm out of options.
12 year ago my PSA was high. The next thing I know I get a call from the local VA hospital with a surgery date. I was very confused about this and I asked if I was going to get a chance to talk to my doctor about options. No! I then went and got care from my private insurance. This was the last straw with VA care. When I was done with everything my Urologist told me to get put in for VA disability. Disapproved even though I had lots of exposures. VA is a big joke. I thank GOD I had options for private insurance.
4 years ago I had a “TURP” for enlarged Prostate. Biopsy done returns a Gleason of 6. Doctors decide “Watchful Waiting” PSA never higher than 1.4- 2. Oct/21 DRE reveals Two Masses in Prostate, Biopsy Gleason “8&9” Surgery out because of previous TURP. Bone SCAN, CT AND MRI revealed no Metastasis. Radiation Oncologists on 2/14. …Questions, Comments, Suggestions.
Hello, we have a patient advocate on our helpline that might be able to help with any questions you may have. You can find our contact information here PCRI.org/helpline.
Hello sir , my grandfather is CA prostrate with multiple skeletal metastasis he has done mutple chemo and radio therapy mutiple times , please can you help
Hello, we have a patient advocate on our helpline that might be able to help with any questions you may have. You can find our contact information here PCRI.org/helpline.
It would depend on whether it was a targeted or a blind biopsy, and then a number of other factors. If you want to speak with a patient advocate about your specific case, feel free to contact our free helpline, PCRI.org/helpline.
31-year Air Force aircraft mechanic here, age 55, seeing the VA in Minneapolis for my prostate cancer 4+3 7 diagnosis. I started at my civilian urologist with the PSA test and MRI guided biopsy. Due to qualifying for the Pact Act treatments, started working with the VA. Very positive experience so far, have seen VA lab, Urology dept, CT/PET scan, Oncology and next week Radiation Oncology all in the month of March. Yes, many appointments and waiting to see doctors, but they have all been very kind, courteous and knowledgeable. The Oncology dept doctors told me with modern radiation, (I do not want surgery due to the possible long term incont and ED issues at age 55) after my PET scan indicated no spread outside of the prostate; I should have a great chance at a cure. Just want to say not all VA hospitals are bad or lacking in compassion. Thanks, PCRI for the information you provided!!!
You have steered me away from surgery towards modern radiology!! Hope all my fellow veterans get the care and treatments they deserve!
Thanks for the video. The V A likes to take their time about everything. And not all civilian doctors are on top of this. You have to advocate for your self. Don’t give up the fight. If you have a prostate cancer support group close by use that also it can help a lot and can help you navigate this process to. Good luck 👍
I am 77 and a Viet Nam veteran. I have been in the VA healthcare system since 2001. My PSA was tested annually and was 5 for years. It increased to 5.5 in 2015.
I went to a civilian Urologist (as I could get an appointment) who suggested a biopsy. The biopsy showed 2 cores of 12 were cancerous and I had a Gleason score of a low 7. I was referred to a surgeon and an oncologist. The surgeon said wait and watch. The ongologist suggested Calypso radiation where 3 non radioactive GPS transmitters are implanted in the prostate to guide the radiation. The VA offered nothing as sophisticated.
I had 45 radiation treatments over 9 weeks, I still went to the gym and mowed my own lawn in SW Florida. Radiation was a walk in the park. I had one shot of Hormone Deprivation juice and the side effects of man boobs, night sweats and fatigue lasted for months. Per my Urologist, I am now a person with a history of Prostate Cancer.
I was exposed to Agent Orange. I asked the VA ro pay for my treatment. The could not have been nastier. The drug their feet, delayed. postponed and denied. The Patient Advocate was less than worthless. The VA billed me for co payments which did not apply. I won
The VA terminated my disability payments early and acted as if they didn't know the rules. I had to educate them. I won. The Choice act was a very bad joke.
The treatment of those returning from Viet Nam was bad, but the VA tried to ignore us for years. They delibertely under served us.
You MUST be your own advocate.
The VA says "Its our turn to serve you" They took a very long time to take their turn.
"Only 42 VA sites have radiaion treatmnet." The VSA had "heard" of Calypso Radiaition, but that was it.
About 6 years ago, my PSA went to 4.5, but my VA PCP said nothing about getting a biopsy or mpMRI for prostate cancer. Then it stayed just under 4 for around 5 years until it went to between 5 and 6 last year. Again my PCP said nothing about getting anything done until then, and I got a Urology consult. I asked an attending for a genomic urine test which might indicate possible cancer. He instead said “Let’s do a mpMRI”, which disclosed a PIRADS 4 lesion, that lead to a Gleason 4+5 focal biopsy. Prostatectomy was done, with clear margins, but ePLND produced a positive lymph node. The tiger is out of the cage. I think I should have been biopsied or MRIed 6 years ago, when the lesion might have been less malignant. The VA screening criteria was NOT sufficient to detect my lesion in time. Now I am regionally metastatic stage IVa, headed for adjuvant pelvic radiation when I might have been “cured” 6 years ago. I owe my current treatment to things I read at PCRI and videos done by Alex and Dr Scholz that lead me to seek investigation and treatment on my own behalf. Thank you both.
My husband is Gleason 9
I'm really loss for words
He was having trouble peeing and his PSA numbers were up and had been going up
So they did the surgery so they could help him pee
They said no cancer ok it's 6 months later same problem peeing so number 2 surgery now they say Gleason 9
Said nothing they can do
I really feel they drop the ball on my husband
V.A. i really feel they should be responsible for his condition.
I'm really hurt
Thank You 🙏👍
I’m 72, retired US Army. I originally was in the Navy 1969-1974. I was in the exclusion zone fore Agent Orange. I was diagnosed with Prostate in 2017. My PSA was 5.6 which is high for my age. No treatment Judy monitor. We’ll last blood test Dec 2022 shows 7.67 doc says we’ll still monitor. I applied for VA disability for the first Dec 21,2022,so claiming prostate cancer, knee problems,back injurie,skin cancer,hearing loss ,COPD and tinnitus. Had C&P exam March 3,will blood draw March and chest X-ray today ,got a letter today saying the VA was sorry for taking so long with the claim.so looks like they are on the ball and willing to get my rating very soon.
My psa was 50 on December 20,2022 and I had to call my State Senator Roger Wicker to tell the VA for me to take radiation therapy in Vicksburg Mississippi instead of using the VA facilities in Jackson Mississippi. My psa is down to 5.7 from 50 psa.
I'm an American Vietnam Veteran (2/502 Inf, 101st Airborne), who in 1979 took an offer of teaching in Australia after 9 years total Army, moved my sons and I, down under. I'm 100% disable rated and have since got prostrate cancer .... all my Vietnam Veteran friends both here and in the USA have either died from cancer or took their own lives. I've spent over 50 grand to be treated by a private hospital as Covid was causing issues with our public health care, but I can no longer afford those payments along with the other specialists for my service connected medical issues. So I stopped going
I no longer have anyone to speak to, I live alone..... The pain from everything; broken back, heart, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD has taken it's toll .... I hope your posting can help other vets out. I've decide to just take an "Angle Flight" as I'm out of options.
Thank you for this video.
12 year ago my PSA was high. The next thing I know I get a call from the local VA hospital with a surgery date. I was very confused about this and I asked if I was going to get a chance to talk to my doctor about options. No! I then went and got care from my private insurance. This was the last straw with VA care. When I was done with everything my Urologist told me to get put in for VA disability. Disapproved even though I had lots of exposures. VA is a big joke. I thank GOD I had options for private insurance.
4 years ago I had a “TURP” for enlarged Prostate. Biopsy done returns a Gleason of 6. Doctors decide “Watchful Waiting” PSA never higher than 1.4- 2. Oct/21 DRE reveals Two Masses in Prostate, Biopsy Gleason “8&9” Surgery out because of previous TURP. Bone SCAN, CT AND MRI revealed no Metastasis. Radiation Oncologists on 2/14. …Questions, Comments, Suggestions.
Hello, we have a patient advocate on our helpline that might be able to help with any questions you may have. You can find our contact information here PCRI.org/helpline.
Hello sir , my grandfather is CA prostrate with multiple skeletal metastasis he has done mutple chemo and radio therapy mutiple times , please can you help
Hello, we have a patient advocate on our helpline that might be able to help with any questions you may have. You can find our contact information here PCRI.org/helpline.
IMO. How many biopsy samples are enough?
It would depend on whether it was a targeted or a blind biopsy, and then a number of other factors. If you want to speak with a patient advocate about your specific case, feel free to contact our free helpline, PCRI.org/helpline.
If we have this cancer, is there a percentage from VA for us?
When the cancer is active, you will get a 100% disability rating.