Former President Joe Biden undergoing radiation therapy as cancer care enters new phase

[Bluetus]

9. For the men out there

PLEASE monitor your PSA. If you get an annual check-up, ask your Doc to include PSA along with the other panels they will likely order. They may not automatically do this until age 55 or something, but definitely ask for it at least by age 40 and get it every year. With early detection, this is almost 100% treatable or manageable.

I have friends who had onset of prostate cancer before age 40. It is important to have the annual tests and to track the changes. The medical professionals probably won't automatically do anything until PSA is above 4. In my case, it was always under 3 until it started creeping up: 3.2, 3.4 etc. After a couple of tests that showed an increase, I got an appointment with the urologist. That was before it reached 4. He did the dreaded digital exam (which is really no big deal) and was concerned. We watched for 6 months and he decided there was a likelihood of a fast growing tumor, so we proceeded with biopsy.

Ultimately I had the prostate removed, and am now reaching the 10-year point where we declare it cancer free. But there are many other treatment options. The key thing is to catch it early. Men tend to associate the prostate with their manhood. Don't be foolish.

None of this really relates to President Biden's case because we have no idea of the details. I am just saying, this is one of the most treatable cancers if you catch it early. And you CAN catch it early, but you have to be your own advocate.