It is three weeks since Darryl Kettner had treatment for prostate cancer. It is a procedure approved by Health Canada, not funded though, and only performed in Toronto.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Darryl Kettner looks fit and healthy as he reveals he had a unique procedure for prostate cancer three weeks ago.
It is prostate cancer awareness month and Kettner says he was aware of his PSA levels from blood tests all the way back to 2012. His were always near the upper threshold of acceptability and then in January there was a sudden spike from 5.6 to 7.2.
It meant there was the possibility of cancer and a biopsy was suggested.
Kettner says he wanted to opt for an MRI first – something less invasive but not covered by the health system. To get that MRI he would have to pay $1,000 in Lethbridge. He decided to shop around.
A clinic in Mexico offered the same MRI for 40 per cent less, he said. His wife and he decided to combine it with a vacation.
The MRI showed a visible lesion in one quadrant that was “suspicious,” said Kettner. The next stage was the biopsy and it took two weeks for the results.
“They said definitely cancer and it was considered intermediate,” said Kettner, noting he had to decide what type of procedure to have.
Kettner and his wife went along to a local support group to ask questions from the men and their wives. He also contacted people he knew had had prostate cancer and asked about their chosen treatment, the results and what they wished they’d done differently.
There are several treatment options such as surgery or a radical prostatectomy that removes the whole prostate and involves surgery that takes several hours.
An external Bean Radiotherapy (EBRT) uses radiation directed at the prostate gland to kill the cancer cells. Anaesthetic is not required but the treatment takes place over many weeks.
Brachytherapy places radioactive seeds into the prostate gland and Cryotherapy involves freezing the prostate under anaesthetic.
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is non-invasive treatment for localized cancer using ultrasound waves that destroy the cancer cells. Although approved as a treatment in Canada it is not funded under healthcare and there is only one place where it is done in Canada – Toronto.
It is the option Kettner decided on.
“I thought it was important enough to me. I found the funds,” said Kettner.
It had already been determined that Kettner’s cancer had not spread beyond the prostate.
“The procedure was fine,” said Kettner.
He was sedated and a spinal anaesthesia was used but he remembers none of that. He did have a catheter and says he felt a little bit groggy. He went to the clinic about 9:30 a.m. and was out by mid afternoon and returned to his nearby hotel.
He says early the next morning the surgeon called to see how he was doing and gave the OK to fly home.
The catheter was somewhat restricting and he did have to be careful in terms of physical activity. Kettner says the surgeon feels the results were good in terms of getting all the cancer.
Even before the surgery Kettner says he began to switch to a healthier diet. He stopped eating meat and dairy and got into the habit of drinking an alkaline water. He also reduced his sugar intake. He says he felt physically better and it gave him a sense of control.
He has an important message for all men urging them have regular PSA checks because “the earlier you find it the better,” he said.
Now in retrospect he wishes he’d had the biopsy earlier, too.
Philip Buisseret is the chairman of Medicine Hat and Area PCCN Prostate Support Group. He can be reached by email: pbuiss7@telus.net
