Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery

I have read much on the subject, but I learned much original information from this book. This book will help you avoid urologists' reflex to take out your prostate the minute you get an elevated PSA level. After reading this book, it becomes clear this is the last thing one should do. Dr. Hennenfent educated me that prostate diseases are sequential. Men first experience prostate inflammation (prostatitis). Then, the inflammation degenerates into enlargement (BPH). Enlargement turns into prostate cancer. Both prostatitis and BPH do cause false positive high PSA levels. Therefore, he recommends that anyone receiving a high PSA level diagnostic should first be checked for the other two preceding conditions (prostatitis and BPH) instead of incurring prostate biopsies for investigating cancers. He indicates later in the book that biopsies may cause in certain cases the cancer to spread. The author explains how BPH comes about (blockage of acinus ducks leading to bursting of acinus sacks). His explanation is completely different than what I had learned so far (BPH is due to age related hormonal change that causes the prostate to grow in size and harden). Maybe both explanations are valid and cumulative. But, again Dr. Hennenfent shared knowledge I had not come across elsewhere. This book is a manifesto against radical prostatectomy and the urology establishment. The author cites many scientific papers to make his case that radical prostatectomy impairs quality of life (impotence, incontinence) and does not extend life. I had read the same thing from other sources as well. He further demonstrates how the urology establishment has manipulated statistics to arrive at flawed favorable outcomes. The few rigorous studies done without any statistical bias clearly demonstrated that prostatectomy did not provide any life extension benefit over just watchful waiting. And, this does not account for the abrupt drop in the mentioned quality of life associated with prostatectomy. Also none of the celebrity prostate cancer survivors he mentioned opted for this procedure including Robert Giuliani and Andy Grove. In other chapters, Dr. Hennenfent spends much time explaining all the different tests and rating levels related to prostate cancer including the PSA test, the Gleason scale, and the TNM and ABCD staging systems. He fleshes out the debate regarding these tests effectiveness and accuracy. And, he goes into details as to their implications always referring to the relevant scientific sources. The author's coverage of watchful waiting and active non-invasive therapy (ANIT) is also very informative. The chapters on hormone blockade and seed implant are especially interesting. A combination of those two therapies appears to be the preferred cure for many of the celebrity prostate cancer survivors he mentioned. Given all the research he has done the chapter where the author shares how he plans to deal with prostate cancer is mo

A flaw in the medical care system is that most patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) are diagnosed by urologists -- surgeons with a surgical specialty which admittedly until 15-years ago was probably the most effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. Accordingly, too many newcomers leave the office with an appointment for what is a highly destructive surgical procedure, not knowing that other treatment options are available which are effective and have fewer side effects. Not all urologists are unwilling to mention the options (my experience). Nevertheless, this point in the PCa journey is the time to hit the brakes, do lots and lots of research, get second opinions and consider options. This is a book that should be read. The author articulately and systematically describes available treatments, their advantages and disadvantages. Quite possibly, no other disease has so many treatment options. A little knowledge can result in much empowerment.

Each year over 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 30,000 die from it each year. About the same number of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. At one time, most women with breast cancer had the whole breast removed. Now most of them will have a Lumpectomy whereby only the cancer tumor is removed. At one time when a man was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he was immediately urged to have surgery to remove the prostate. It was the "Gold Standard". But more and more men are learning that today we have many other options. The prostate and seminal vesicles manufactures almost all of the ejaculate. When the prostate is removed, a man's sex life will be changed forever. He may still be able to have an orgasm but it will not be the same. Many of the men will no longer be able to have a normal erection. Since the prostate is intimately connected to the bladder valve, it is often damaged. The man may be incontinent for the rest of his life. Dr. Bradley Hennenfent describes some of the options that one may choose instead of surgery. I wish I had known these options in 1992 when I was encouraged by my urologist to have surgery. Any cancer therapy will have some side effects. The alternate options listed by Dr. Hennenfent will have fewer unpleasant ones. I strongly recommend that any man who is diagnosed with prostate cancer to buy this book. It is a small price to pay in order to hold on to your prostate. I sorely miss my prostate.

When you or someone you know receives a diagnosis of prostate cancer what won't be realized is not only will one battle have to be fought with the cancer but a second battle will also have to be fought against the very profession - the urologists that treat prostate cancer. You will learn the shocking truth that your interests of treating the cancer the best way possible and prolonging the quality of your life are not the interests of the urology profession. "Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery" investigates in careful detail the inner workings of the urology profession and how they will work against you. You will enter a world you couldn't possible imagine would exist in this day and age. Page after page will reveal shocking and startling details of the true nature of the urology profession. You will be angry to learn the practices of the urology profession possibly caused your cancer and of possible warning signs, which could have been easily treated medically, were ignored before your cancer developed. You will quickly realize that going to a urologist without reading this book is like trying to cross a busy highway blindfolded. The treatment offered by your urologist could be worse than the actual disease and might even contribute to the spread of your cancer and cause your death rather then prevent it. The information in this easy to understand book written for the average person will guide you in the right direction. You will learn of more effective treatments your urologist probably won't even tell you about. It will enable you to make your own decisions of what treatment is best for you so that you can survive prostate cancer without surgery and have the best quality of life possible. Don't be another victim. Reading this book will give you the knowledge to win both battles. You will beat the urologists at their own game! What you don't know can and will hurt you. "Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery" is a must read if you value your life or the life of someone close to you.

Dr Hennenfent is a well-known name as a champion for all those who suffer with prostatitis or with prostate cancer. His tireless work during the last decades has helped to bring both diseases into the forefront of public awareness and media attention. In his book, SURIVIVING PROSTATE CANCER WITHOUT SURGERY, he calls attention to the surgeons' bias permeating the field of urology. Despite the paucity of double blind controlled studies to support the superiority of the surgical approach, a few published books written by influential surgeons dominate the field and are heavily biased toward surgical intervention. The author gives a balanced and critical review of the alternative therapies, watchful waiting, radiation or hormone therapies, that are just as affective, if not better than surgery. Unfortunately, these approaches lack glamour, media hype or financial rewards and therefore are woefully pushed aside. This book is a badly needed wake up call to all patients with prostate cancer. All options should be considered before choosing surgery. There could be permanent changes in the quality of life following an overly zealous surgical procedure for a slow growing cancer that, if left alone ultimately may not even be the cause of death. The book reads well. It's highly recommended for laymen and professionals alike.