2,5 YEARS SINCE DIAGNOSIS

It was now around 2,5 years since I'd been informed that I had the "BIG C" and,despite no  further symptoms (apart from a slight peeing problem with a full bladder) my PSA was climbing relentlessly to the dreaded 10 mark at which point one theoretically goes from early stage cancer to intermediate stage.
Of course this factor has to be assessed in conjunction with GLEASON score and doubling time etc.
Once one passes into a "higher risk" bracket brachytherapy alone becomes problematic/risky and needs to be considered with other complementary options such as EBRT and hormone therapy to ensure that migrating cancer cells are zapped before they affect other nearby organs.
Brachytherapy can only be used,in isolation,for low-grade,non-aggressive cancers as it treats entire organ and generally extends to just millimetres outside of the organ to "sweep" any bogeymen hanging around the very near periphery.

The beauty of "BRACHY"(strange adjective really) 😕is that:

~it is placed right inside the affected organ

~it safely delivers 2 x the radiation dose delivered by say EBRT,thus having a greater chance of successfully eradicating all cells

~it supposedly is less prone to the inevitable "side effects" associated with all forms of treatment (obviously if administered accurately enough)

~modern technology allows for accurate graphic imaging during the procedure to ensure that sensitive areas and nerves are spared as far as possible

NAXOS ON BIKE

PAROS TO ANTI PAROS ON FERRY

Radioactivity kills cancer cells (for good),and they don't have the ability to regenerate.
Affected healthy cells however do regenerate and it is thus possible for any temporary side effects (i.e. incontinence/ED/urethra and bladder damage) to recover fully over time.

Various comparisons of the efficacy of the various methods of treatment have been carried out and the best one I ever stumbled upon during my 2 years plus of research can be found on the following link:

http://www.prostatecancertreatmentcenter.com/prostate-cancer/study-group/

This study very succinctly spells out (to me anyway) the differences ,and very clearly indicates a most satisfactory result from brachytherapy, comparable with any of the other treatment options.
In fact it compares most favourably as well with my 1st choice earlier (proton therapy) which had recently been declined by my health plan.

So...........looked like this was the option worth a bit of further research and consideration!

FERRY FROM NAXOS TO CRETE

CRETE

AROUND NAXOS