The Official QQ NFL Tailgate Thread

[Clint Eastwood]

THAT SHOULD BE NO LATER THAN 5 YEARS

The current American Urological Association is for no further PSA testing once you reach the age of 70. That’s because of the risk of false positive test results and the fact that the average male life expectancy in the US is around 78 years old. Essentially, they’re saying that, from age 70 on, you’re more likely to die from something else.

There are false positives at any age..BUT that is why you need a physical exam with the test...my 93 year old father(now deceased) would disagree with that theory. Did they actually say that you are going to die anyway so why bother?

 

[esimms86]

There are false positives at any age..BUT that is why you need a physical exam with the test...my 93 year old father(now deceased) would disagree with that theory. Did they actually say that you are going to die anyway so why bother?

It’s largely viewed from a broader public health standpoint, that is to say, how many PSA tests would have been done that turned out in the end to be of no consequence and, therefore, unnecessary? I’m not saying that I agree with it, rather, I’m just putting it out there that it’s the new medical standard of care in our healthcare system. In the aggregate, such a standard may save money when averaged across a population of older American males but it doesn’t take into account what the life expectancy of a particular individual might be. I’d suspect that you, for instance, have a life expectancy that is much, much higher than most of us because your Dad lived to be 93. Interestingly, as an African American male, my life expectancy is statistically said to be 73 years. This is despite the facts that (1) I will be 73 in August, and (2) both of my parents lived to age 88. Keep in mind that average African American male life expectancy is lower for a variety of reasons. Things like cigarette smoking, kidney failure, diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, Covid, opioids and being the victim of physical violence lead to a major clump of deaths occurring between the ages 50 and 60. You put those deaths in the mix and you come up with an overall lower average. I would contend that those early deaths should not factor into calculations of my life expectancy.

Edit:

(1) The recommendations state that routine screening should occur up through age 69. After that, life expectancy is one of the factors to be taken into account. They do not specifically say that “you are going to die anyway so why bother,” but that, obviously, is what they are trying avoid being so blunt about in their wording.
(2) Black males have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, so it would stand to reason that someone with my family life expectancy should continue to be screened regularly.

 

[Sonik Wiz]

As an 73 yo average white male I've been pretty lucky at avoiding chronic aliments like asthma, diabetes. In fact I did not even bother with an annual check up until about 13 years ago. One thing lead to another & that thing was prostate cancer that my dad died from. I'm grateful for my PCP's intervention & best of care from my urologist. Ten years after I am still cancer free with PSA being undetectable.

But then beloved Chiefs QB Len Dawson died from prostate cancer a whopping 31 years after diagnosis. I know in this case your only as healthy as your last test.

 

[esimms86]

As an 73 yo average white male I've been pretty lucky at avoiding chronic aliments like asthma, diabetes. In fact I did not even bother with an annual check up until about 13 years ago. One thing lead to another & that thing was prostate cancer that my dad died from. I'm grateful for my PCP's intervention & best of care from my urologist. Ten years after I am still cancer free with PSA being undetectable.

But then beloved Chiefs QB Len Dawson died from prostate cancer a whopping 31 years after diagnosis. I know in this case your only as healthy as your last test.

And Frank Zappa died from complications of metastatic prostate cancer at age 52.

Incidentally, research has shown that autopsies done on men age 75 or older who died from other causes revealed, at the very least, early stages of prostate cancer in the overwhelmingly majority.

Okay, I’m going to take off my MD hat and return to the music.

 

[esimms86]

As an 73 yo average white male I've been pretty lucky at avoiding chronic aliments like asthma, diabetes. In fact I did not even bother with an annual check up until about 13 years ago. One thing lead to another & that thing was prostate cancer that my dad died from. I'm grateful for my PCP's intervention & best of care from my urologist. Ten years after I am still cancer free with PSA being undetectable.

But then beloved Chiefs QB Len Dawson died from prostate cancer a whopping 31 years after diagnosis. I know in this case you’re only as healthy as your last test.

Sonik, I was so happy to read your post and hear about how well you’re doing. In fact, in your honor I think I’ll queue up a little Ten Years After!

 

[Sonik Wiz]

Sonik, I was so happy to read your post and hear about how well you’re doing. In fact, in your honor I think I’ll queue up a little Ten Years After!

Can I come over?

 

[Imbobman]

@JohnN you make me laugh

Great performance!!

That's for a colonoscopy right? You probably get PSA tests once a year or so.

I thought it was a Lobotomy you get every 5 years? Help,
I'm losing it
This thread has become wild!! It's getting like Thunderdome! ....anything goes!

 

[esimms86]

Can I come over?

Absolutely. I’ll pick you up at the airport!

 

[Clint Eastwood]

It’s largely viewed from a broader public health standpoint, that is to say, how many PSA tests would have been done that turned out in the end to be of no consequence and, therefore, unnecessary? I’m not saying that I agree with it, rather, I’m just putting it out there that it’s the new medical standard of care in our healthcare system. In the aggregate, such a standard may save money when averaged across a population of older American males but it doesn’t take into account what the life expectancy of a particular individual might be. I’d suspect that you, for instance, have a life expectancy that is much, much higher than most of us because your Dad lived to be 93. Interestingly, as an African American male, my life expectancy is statistically said to be 73 years. This is despite the facts that (1) I will be 73 in August, and (2) both of my parents lived to age 88. Keep in mind that average African American male life expectancy is lower for a variety of reasons. Things like cigarette smoking, kidney failure, diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, Covid, opioids and being the victim of physical violence lead to a major clump of deaths occurring between the ages 50 and 60. You put those deaths in the mix and you come up with an overall lower average. I would contend that those early deaths should not factor into calculations of my life expectancy.

Edit:

(1) The recommendations state that routine screening should occur up through age 69. After that, life expectancy is one of the factors to be taken into account. They do not specifically say that “you are going to die anyway so why bother,” but that, obviously, is what they are trying avoid being so blunt about in their wording.
(2) Black males have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, so it would stand to reason that someone with my family life expectancy should continue to be screened regularly.

I doubt that many urologists support this position.....this sounds like an actuarial approach to medical practice...my urologist requires new patients to get a blood test....have a physical exam of the prostate...and a cystoscopy....I had to cancel my cystoscopy because I had flu-like symptoms and was coughing a lot and I didn't want to put anyone at risk...a week after the cancellation...I got a certified letter from the Doctor reminding me of my commitment to have the test!

 

[ar surround]

PSA numbers go up with age. A number greater than 4 at, say age 70, does not necessarily mean cancer. Also, family history is a major factor. That’s why an annual DRE along with the PSA test is important. This is what both my PCP and urologist tell me, but talk to YOUR doctor.

 

[Bill B]

Just a suggestion.... Maybe it's time to start a "Health And Wellness" thread to discuss medical issues and such.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Just a suggestion.... Maybe it's time to start a "Health And Wellness" thread to discuss medical issues and such.

They might have to get a new server for the forum

 

[GOS]

Just a suggestion.... Maybe it's time to start a "Health And Wellness" thread to discuss medical issues and such.

Everyone got confused, as the title of the thread has the word "tail" in it. Certainly tail is related to colonoscopy.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Gos, you need a urologist...this guy is available

 

[ar surround]

They might have to get a new server for the forum

Beat me to it. That was the first thing that came into my head when I read Bill's post.

Let's face it, aging is simply the accumulation of non-lethal ailments.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Beat me to it. That was the first thing that came into my head when I read Bill's post.

Let's face it, aging is simply the accumulation of non-lethal ailments.

I wish that were true...the non-lethal part...I've lost a lot of friends with the lethal ones....this 20 something once asked me about aging...I told him it wasn't like a fine wine aging....more like a warm beer

 

[cbmmm3]

I wish that were true...the non-lethal part...I've lost a lot of friends with the lethal ones....this 20 something once asked me about aging...I told him it wasn't like a fine wine aging....more like a warm beer

I always say getting old is not for sissies

 

[esimms86]

PSA numbers go up with age. A number greater than 4 at, say age 70, does not necessarily mean cancer. Also, family history is a major factor. That’s why an annual DRE along with the PSA test is important. This is what both my PCP and urologist tell me, but talk to YOUR doctor.

This is my last word on the subject. Every individual patient is different, which is why this needs to be discussed with each person’s own doctor (geez, I’m agreeing with a Jets fan!).

It’s not dire but things are not looking so positive for Oilers fans.

 

[cbmmm3]

This is my last word on the subject. Every individual patient is different, which is why this needs to be discussed with each person’s own doctor (geez, I’m agreeing with a Jets fan!).

It’s not dire but things are not looking so positive for Oilers fans.

yup. ever since Earl Campbell retired theyve lost their identity

 

[esimms86]

yup. ever since Earl Campbell retired theyve lost their identity

Okay Ricky, take off that Dan Pastorini flak jacket and say that again; I triple dog dare you!