Follow through with urologist for now

Tue., Feb. 14, 2006

Peter Gott, M.D. The Spokesman-Review

Dear Dr. Gott: I switched from a family doctor to a urologist when a short regimen of antibiotics did not totally eliminate what appeared to be a prostate infection. The urologist increased the antibiotic regimen and recommended a follow-up PSA test. Should I switch to an oncologist if there is a possibility of prostate cancer?

Dear Reader: Not necessarily. In doing so, you might be jumping the gun.

If, upon a digital examination of your prostate gland, the urologist is able to feel an irregularity, a nodule or some other abnormality, you might be a candidate for blood tests and/or a biopsy.

Likewise, if your prostate-specific antigen blood test exceeds the normal range (up to a unit of 4), you might need further diagnostic tests, such as CT scanning.

An oncologist can certainly be consulted if, indeed, you have prostate cancer, but I believe that you should follow through with your urologist, using the cancer specialist if the prostatic biopsy reveals malignant cells. In particular, the oncologist can work with your urologist to decide what form of therapy – radiation, radium seeds, hormone treatment or surgery – would be most appropriate in your case.

I suggest that you consider the glass half full rather than half empty, thereby adopting a positive attitude toward a disorder that is common in men over 60 but can be treated –and even cured – by modern means.

First, determine whether you even need to be checked specifically for prostate cancer. By this I mean that if you are 22 years old and healthy, the risk is low. In contrast, if you are 72 years old and have signs of a prostatic disorder, the risk is high.

Stick with the urologist, but be sure to get whatever further assistance you need.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “The Prostate Gland.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: I was at Wal-Mart two weeks ago pushing a cart and feeling small shocks periodically. By the end of my shopping, the shocks were much worse, so I found the manager and he said, “Oh, you got one of those carts that we haven’t put the wire on the wheel.” Evidently, they must be grounded. There was no carpeting on the floors, just tiles.

Dear Reader: Apparently, what I call “supermarket static” is more common than I realized. I was not aware that many stores are now grounding their carts.

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