Maggie's Farm

The WSJ Prostate Cancer article is here:

https://archive.ph/BbC0M

I think a closer approximation to the truth is this: As the data record grows with this form of cancer, health administrators have noted that men suffering from this cancer often die from things other than prostate cancer, including old age and its associated maladies. They die with prostate cancer, but from something else, in other words. And because prostate glands have a rich blood supply, the prostate cancer almost always migrates elsewhere - the bones, the lungs, etc. We all die of old age. It isn't more fun to die of old age as a cancer sufferer.

But: Noticing that men with prostate cancer often die of other things, the administrators that pay out medical claims have concluded that it would really be much better for all parties concerned - except the victim of course - if they just ignored prostate cancer. A few years ago, some insurers went so far as to declare it should no longer even be tested for (it's a simple, low-cost blood test, usually part of your annual work-up).

Treatments for prostate cancer have expanded in their efficacy and even surgery is much lower risk and less invasive than it once was. They can precisely identify cancerous areas with modern imaging techniques, and they can precisely target those areas with focused radiation now. The treatments are effective and suffering is very limited, unlike chemo (some say they don't even notice it).

This is simple cost-cutting profit motive at work, and nothing more, and it's disgusting. If your doctor is recommending that you watch cancer develop and hope that it's slow, you should get a different doctor, pronto.

If you've ever cared for someone with medical problems, you learn very early that you must be a vocal and insistent advocate if you want to receive good medical care. It's not about being obnoxious - it's about being watchful, mindful, willing to ask questions, and willing to insist. You have to use these rules for yourself, too.