What Cancer can not DO!

Representative Bishoff

We seen Representative Heather Harris Bishoff at the Lockbourne Memorial Day Celebration. Petey has a new home with her! She is an amazing person! Thank you for the support that you have given to Ray, Petey and I with Prostate Cancer Awareness!

Ray, Representative Bishoff and I

Heather Harris Bishoff You guys are awesome, I am so happy to have more patriotic Peteys to join me at the statehouse!!! It was good to see you both today!!!

Honor

What you need to know about Prostate Cancer

Testing

Education about prostate cancer risk and testing is part of a routine annual exam with a man’s physician. A general practitioner or an urologist can perform a full prostate cancer exam. This includes a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam, also called a DRE.

PSA Test

The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test is a simple blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. The PSA is a protein produced by cells in the prostate. Its primary function is to help keep the semen in a liquid form enabling the sperm to swim. The levels of PSA can rise due to a number reasons including the presence of cancer.

When your prostate is inflamed for any reason, infection, BPH, ejaculation, or even riding a bicycle, can cause a rise in your PSA. It also can rise as cancer develops in the prostate and spreads through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.

The PSA test is also used to track the effects of prostate cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. A low, dropping or zero PSA is a good sign that these treatments are working for a man with prostate cancer.

In May of 2012, the United States Preventive Services Task Force announced it does not recommend PSA testing for men because it believes there is not a life-saving benefit to the PSA. However, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer strongly recommend a man should be fully educated about prostate cancer and the option of early detection. A PSA test score is an important part of making a decision of how best to determine a prostate cancer diagnosis and/or treatment pathway.

It is best to discuss the results of a PSA test with your doctor, urologist, and if necessary an oncologist because every test result must also take age, race, family history, and recent activity into account.

The general guidelines of PSA levels consider:

• 0 to 2.5 ng/mL is considered safe
• 2.6 to 4 ng/mL is safe in most men but talk with your doctor about other risk factors
• 4.0 to 10.0 ng/mL is suspicious and suggest the possibility of prostate cancer
• 10.0 ng/mL and above is dangerous and should be discussed with your doctor immediately 

Age-specific PSA reference ranges refer to using different PSA cutoffs for recommending a biopsy. The age ranges are as follows:

• 40-49: 2.5
• 50-59: 3.5
• 60-69: 4.5
• 70 and up: 6.5

Research has shown men generally have a 25 percent chance of having prostate cancer with a PSA over 4.0 and a 50 percent chance of a PSA over 10.0. However, many men have an elevated PSA for many other reasons other than cancer.

Other reasons for an elevated PSA besides cancer:

• Advanced age
• Biopsy
• Catheter
• Injury to pelvic region or prostate
• Prostatitis
• Riding a bicycle
• Sex (within 24 hours)
• Supplements that effect testosterone
• Urinary tract infection

PSA Velocity

Annual changes in PSA test results is a method doctors use to determine the risk of prostate cancer as PSA can rapidly rise in men who have prostate cancer. It can be especially useful to find prostate cancer in early stages before the cancer has left the capsule of the prostate.

Research shows that an increase of .75 ng/mL over a year is an early indicator of prostate cancer if a man has a total PSA result between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL. Further, an increase of 2.0 ng/mL over a year period predicts a higher likelihood of death due to aggressive prostate cancer.

Research is also showing PSA velocity may be able to predict survivability from prostate cancer as men with a PSA increase of .35 ng/ML or less over a year have a 92 percent survival rate compared to PSA increases of more than .35 ng/mL over a year have a 54 percent survival rate.

A High PSA

There are several avenues to consider if a PSA is high and research continues develop more options every day. One should always have a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE), along with the PSA and/or an annual exam as it can detect prostate cancer or prostate problems that a PSA may miss.

A Low PSA

In general, a low PSA is a good result. However, there are several reasons a PSA test level may be artificially low including taking statins to lower cholesterol, anti-inflammatory drugs and obesity (body fat decreases the amount of PSA circulating in the blood stream). Be sure to discuss these with your doctor.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

A DRE is a routine procedure as part of an annual physical exam with a doctor. The physician briefly feels the surface of the prostate for any abnormalities by inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum for a several seconds.

The DRE is used to help diagnose prostate cancer – even when a PSA test is not high – and for other prostate problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis.

Advanced Detection

Science has advanced two genetic tests that can be used after a PSA test to predict aggressive or slow-growing tumors, giving patients and doctors more information to shape treatment regimens or active surveillance plans. Not all prostate cancers are the same and genomic testing of your prostate cancer will give you more options to consider.  

Oncotype DX, developed by Genomic Health, evaluates 21 genes in tissue taken during a prostate biopsy to establish a grade and state of the cancer. The test predicts the future recurrence of prostate cancer for patients with localized disease. In order to determine risk level with this test, a man must have a PSA less than 20, a Gleason score of less than 6, and a tumor stage in T1 or T2.

Prolaris, developed by Myriad, measures 46 genes to predict the aggressiveness of the disease. The test can be used to gauge how lethal a tumor may become or can be used after surgery to determine the likelihood of recurrence or metastatic disease.

These tests may prove very useful in avoiding overtreatment or when to act quickly to eradicate aggressive disease. Talk to your doctor if you are a candidate for these tests and find out if your insurance covers them.

Memorial Day 2014

Thank you to all the Men and Women of the Armed Forces!

Happy Memorial Day

2014

Access to Care

“I made a decision that I was not going to sit back and say Oh Poor Me! It’s time to take an active role in advocating for prostate cancer as a wife and mother of four young sons!” Linda Hoetger, Advocate

http://cqrcengage.com/zerocancer/access-to-care

Pro Bowler Petey

Today Petey turned Pro in bowling! What a nice Mother's Day.

Gordon Biersch Brewing Company

On April 17, 2014 at Gordon Biersch in the Arena District. There was a event called Pints For Prostates which raises money for prostate cancer awareness. I made a different Petey scene and took it with us. The manager Stewart Miller loved Petey's scene. I said I will make him one pinky swear! So now it is done and I will be taking it to him in the next few days.

Young's Jersey Dairy

Today Petey on his roadtrip to Wright-Patterson AFB wanted to stop for ice cream on the way back home.

Decide on a cone....
Humm.... Waffle!

Ummm...Strawberry Cheesecake ice Cream!

My Selfie with the cow!

Where am I?

Happy Easter!

8 ball

Guys don't get caught behind the 8 ball! Have you had your PSA test lately? Please get it done soon!

Pints For Prostates

Columbus, OH — Pints for Prostates will be at Gordon Biersch in Columbus, OH at 401 N. Front Street on April 17, 2014 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

The event will feature a special tapping of a barrel of the seasonal beer at 6:30 p.m. Gordon Biersch will provide free appetizers.

The event supports the Pints for Prostates campaign, a nationwide effort that reaches men through the universal language of beer. You can get more information about Pints for Prostates at www.pintsforprostates.org.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be more than 238,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013. Nearly 30,000 men will die from the disease this year.

I Love the Beer mug lights! My Mom found them at a Goodwill Thrift store. Perfect for this scene for Petey.

Pickerington Ohio Library

Petey went to the Pickerington Library today and asked for books on Prostate Cancer.  Sadly only 5 books!

ZERO The End OF Prostate Cancer

http://www.zerocancer.org/about/news/zero-named-to-best-nonprofits

April Showers!

Memory Lane - Petey in Washington D.C.

This is the Petey that I made in 2012 and took him on the trip to Washington D.C for the ZERO Summit! 

Memory Lane- The SPILL on Capitol Hill

On the Last day of the ZERO The End Of Prostate Cancer Summit, they sat up meetings on Capitol Hill with our State's elected officials. Our first meeting was set for 8:30 am but as we are headed to the meeting if fell at 8:15 am on Capitol Hill. I heard a SNAP! The Capitol Hill Police wanted to call the Medics to take me to the Hospital but I would not go. These meetings are to important to me because my husband is a Prostate Cancer Survivor. And I am getting to these meeting some how some way. They called for a wheelchair and got me into the Capitol Building for the first meeting. we made it to the 8:30 am meeting. Were cleared through Security and the we are off to have Coffee with Senator Brown and pictures were taken. Ours did not seem to turn out, but it might be for the better. I was in the wheelchair barefoot! After that meeting Ray took me to the Capitol Hill First Aid. 

September 13, 2012
Capitol Hill First Aid
When asked what had happened
I took a SPILL on Capitol Hill!

After my leg is wrapped up and they suggested I go to the Hospital. No I will wait until I get back to Columbus,Ohio. Ace bandages, ice packs and Ibuprofen ready for the next meeting in about an hour. We take a tour in the Capitol Building. Then we continue on to the next two meetings. People who seen me from the Summit asked me When? How? ans wanted to know why I did not got the Hospital yet,. When I said why. They said that is dedication to raise awareness for prostate cancer. We end with the last meeting and return back to the hotel and get the car. But first there were more people who seen me that did nto know yet. I told them I took a SPILL on Capitol Hill. A few chuckles the way I say it. We are off to Ohio!

This is what the Hospital did here in Columbus.
 They took an X-Ray and yep the Tibia bone is broken!
The ER Doctor asked how it happened I told him the same thing. I took a SPILL on Capitol Hill, with a surprised look on his face for how I said it. He chuckled also! Then he went and got another Doctor and he wanted me to tell him. Again with the chuckles. I guess it was like disbelief  or they thought that it was some kind of abuse. Nope!

This is what it looked like when I seen the bone Doctor!
Very pretty right?

Starting to heal but still hurts very much!  

Chillin

Petey went out too night and was chillin with a beer at Applebee's!

Fans 4 the Cure

Last year we attend our first Fans 4 the Cure event at Huntington Park at the Columbus Clippers game on July 11, 2013! 

These young men are registering for a BLUE Bat signed by the Columbus Clippers to be given away later in the game

Lou Seal the Columbus Clippers Mascot and Petey our Mascot for Prostate Cancer

Remember the young men from earlier registering for the bat?
Look who wonhttp://fans4thecure.org/baseball-road-trip-photo-gallery?page=2
Congratulations!

Find out more about Fans 4 the Cure!
http://fans4thecure.org/baseball-road-trip-photo-gallery?page=2

Petey's Awareness Pins

Petey's pin collection is growing! 

Thank you dave and Kathie!

Petey's selfie

We knew it was coming....

Petey selfie!

Petey's Pins

Petey started collecting Prostate Cancer Awareness pins!

What if?

People has asked me what if someone makes walnuts like Petey and says that it was their creation. And that I can not longer make Petey.
I will never stop making Petey The Prostate Crusader aka Petey. They can take me to court and we will fight it out!

I created Petey in 2009 while sitting in a support group meeting a plain walnut was being passed around as the walnut is the size of a prostate. Well it had gotten t me and I started thinking add some eyes, hands and feet and so the next day I did just that. I have the original Petey that I made and since 2009 he has change in generation looks but he is still mine. If you have never had to deal with prostate issues you will not understand Why The Walnut! But those who have understand All To Well.

Petey has his own blog with a little help from Mom of course and posts his adventures and other important event in our lives. His blog ishttp://peteytheprostatecrusader.blogspot.com

Prostate Cancer Anonymous vs Awareness

Hi my name is Linda and I became a Prostate Cancer Caregiver 
June 19, 2009

I joined the club Prostate Cancer Anonymous but I myself don't want to stay Anonymous. It is time to change that Awareness! Usually women fight for breast cancer awareness but for me I fight for Prostate Cancer Awareness. Walk in my shoes and you will understand!

Retweet

Guess what day is it!

Today I sent a Tweet to Mayor Coleman. And he sent out a Retweet! It is so cool that Petey can get the Mayor to RT.