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US Commander David Petraeus Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer
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by Yuliya Talmazan | October 6, 2009 at 09:06 am
256 views | 18 Recommendations | 2 comments
General David Petraeus, the 56-year-old Commander of US Forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, has revealed in a statement he was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year, but underwent "successful" treatment and is on the road to recovery. Petraeus oversees US military forces commissioned to Iraq and Afghanistan. He participated in US military operations in Bosnia, Haiti, and Kuwait.
Petraeus was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in February, but chose not to disclose his condition, considering it a private matter. Only a few top US officials, including President Obama knew about his condition. Meanwhile, he was getting radiation therapy to cure his cancer. Prostate cancer affects over 200,000 men in the US each year. It is estimated around 30,000 men die from prostate cancer each year. When diagnosed early, prostate cancer can be treated effectively.
Petraeus enjoys quite a bit of popularity in the U.S. In recent years, he has been named one of the top intellectuals, man of the year, America's most respected soldier, leader of the year, most powerful person, and one of the most influential leaders. It was even speculated that Petraeus might run for President, but he is denying these claims.
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Recommendations (18)
cassy82
Los Angeles, United States
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
Susan Marie Kovalinsky
Ledgewood, New Jersey, United Statesa211423
Clearlake, California, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 09:18 on October 6th, 2009
The following is from the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society does not support routine testing for prostate cancer at this time. The ACS does believe that health care professionals should discuss the potential benefits and limitations of prostate cancer early detection testing with men before any testing begins. This discussion should include an offer for testing with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE) yearly, beginning at age 50, to men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and have at least a 10-year life expectancy. Following this discussion, those men who favor testing should be tested. Men should actively take part in this decision by learning about prostate cancer and the pros and cons of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
This discussion should take place starting at age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
This discussion should take place at age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with several first-degree relatives who had prostate cancer at an early age).
If, after this discussion, a man asks his health care professional to make the decision for him, he should be tested (unless there is a specific reason not to test).
at 14:18 on October 6th, 2009
In Alberta you can get the PSA test as part of the Health Care system starting at age 60. Prior to that you can request it and pay for the test. It costs only 35 CAD. Having had a few friends that didn't have screening and were diagnosed later, I think this is a good preventive measure.