First we were told that PSA tests save lives; then we were told that the tests do more harm than good, by leading to unnecessary treatments with a high probability of unpleasant side effects. Now, when we don’t know who to believe, comes research from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggesting that while prostate cancer is generally slow growing, more aggressive cancers seem to afflict a disproportionate number of men when they are in their seventies. A University of Rochester news release reports that when researchers analyzed 464,918 records of men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1998 and 2007, they found that men 75 or older represented only 16 percent of the male population above age 50 and 26 percent of all cases of prostate cancer — but 48 percent of cases of metastatic disease at diagnosis and 53 percent of all deaths. They also found that higher grade cancer seemed to increase with age. The researchers are convinced that many men would benefit from an algorithm to identify healthy, elderly men who might benefit from an earlier diagnosis. No kidding. Read more from the University of Rochester.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Thursday, October 16, 2025
I am 78 and very healthy. For the past 20 years I follwed a very balanced nutrition plan and worked out at the gym 6-7 days per week;aerobics every day and heavy weights 2 days. Fortunately I also had a physical exam each year including PSA tests. Over this period my psa measured .9 to 1.3 until 2.5 years ago when it read 2.3. Eight months later it went to 5 so I had a biopsy which came back positive with a gleason score of 7. After further tests indicating the cancer was isolated to the prostate I opted for IMGRT for 9 weeks, 5 days per week that was completed last july. During treatment I continued my normal routine of exercise and recreation. I experienced only minor side effects and today I feel wonderful. My experience suggests that the growth rate of cancer can change from slow to fast and the “watchful waiting option” could leave you with metastasis and thus in grave danger. So far I have not encountered any new information that would alter my previous decision for aggressive treatment.