Only an old man’s disease?

Sergio de Oliveira tells his story

Instead of enjoying a warm bright August in this country, I decided to move to Germany.  It is becoming a tradition of mine to change my life in August.  I trust that I can do it and trust is so often fundamental. 

However, the last time around the changes in my life were of a different nature.  I was told I had a 60% chance of having prostate cancer in December 2002 at the age of 36.  Some unusual symptoms led me to start investigating my prostate in the summer of that year. 

As nobody expected somebody of my age to have such a disease, I was prepared to believe that something or someone must be incorrect about the malignancy.  Nevertheless, I decided to inform myself as much as I could about both the disease and what to do about it.  It has been said that it is the most difficult choice a man has to make. 

Surgery I discarded initially as I never managed to trust the surgeon who initially diagnosed the malignancy.  Even his delivery of the diagnosis was faulty. 

While considering radiotherapy I encountered Dr Huddart, a professional I trusted.  He guided me through the options, helped me gain some time to reach a decision, and explained the situation to me as nobody had before.  However he did not believe radiotherapy would be the best option in my case.  Had he been a surgeon he would probably have operated early in 2003. 

I continued the search for a solution to my problem.  Throughout this time I kept the idea that, being a cancer or not, it was simply a problem that required a solution.  Somehow that helped me to focus and avoid major depression. 

During my search, I found some quite odd techniques but among them I was quite taken by Ablatherm (the idea of using focused microwaves against the tumour and thus avoiding damage to nerves, etc).

I decided I needed a second opinion and met Professor Kirby in June 2003 and we decided on a second biopsy (more unpleasant than any surgery).  We spoke little but on that first meeting I felt I trusted him, especially because he was not pushing any option.  He very kindly found some material on Ablatherm for me to read and was prepared to do a follow up if I decided for the microwaves. 

The second biopsy confirmed malignancy and early in July surgery was booked for 19th August.  I did not fear it as there was trust not only in the surgeon himself but also in his excellent team and I knew they would do the best they could.

Sergio de Oliveira 

Almost a year on I have memories of superb treatment at the London Clinic, of constant follow up after the event and having received help when needed.  There was a period of wearing pads but those five months were amusing (learning about different brands at any Boots always caused odd looks from women nearby).  The so-feared erectile dysfunction is very much still here but I have tried a few options on treating it and have not had problems.  It is odd to achieve orgasm without an erection, but possible.  All may change in a few months time.  What really matters is that I am alive and the PSA of 0.03 keeps reminding me that the worst has passed.  I trust I made the right decision as much as I trust I had the right help in reaching that decision.