The Decision: Your Prostate Biopsy Shows Cancer. Now What? [Paperback]

My major life decision in October 2003 could have been made with better logic and less stress had this book, "The Decision," been available at the time. That was when my biopsy report confirmed I had prostate cancer.

Now having read Dr. McHugh's book and taking a retro-perspective of my treatment strategies, I am more confident than ever that my decision was consistent with both my wife's and my personal objectives for treatment outcomes. It is comforting to see that "The Decision" includes the wife's issues and concerns. After all this important decision has significant implications for both.

Dr. McHugh takes the reader on a journey though a difficult physiological and psychological health issue, with a writing style that offers ease of understanding, a clear exploration of treatment options and meaningful risk/reward analyses. All the pertinent anatomical data is there, along with rather humorous anecdotes relating to his personal experiences with management of the disease.

I consider this book a "must read" for any man who is faced with "what do I do now?" after being informed "You have prostate cancer." "The Decision" will provide a pathway that leads you to a fully informed status.

And Yes! The book is a real "page turner."

Having just been diagnosed with prostate cancer (Gleason score 6, low volume) and not yet decided on a treatment I ordered this book as part of a number of sources I'm going trough to better understand what I have and the options for treatment.

First the positive of Dr. McHugh's book, it doesn't pull punches and provides both an insight of someone who has gone through this themselves as well as laying out the pro's and con's of different treatment options. In particular the worksheets are a good starting point to focus on what therapeutic modality may make the most sense for the reader.

Now the reason I gave it a three. No matter how much Dr. McHugh say's that he is trying to be balanced, I felt that as a surgeon himself who chose surgery to treat his prostate cancer, there was a slant toward surgery, unless you are obviously not a candidate for it, as the treatment of choice. At one point in fact he stated that it seemed to him that patients who chose radiation were more unhappy with their choice then those who chose surgery. Left unsaid, is that obviously the radiation patients he would see were the ones who came to him with after the procedure with problems and not the ones who had no problems, whereas, as a surgeon he would see all his patients both with and without problems. Another example is when he lists his "Your are Lucky if" for both treatment options, with the surgery section being much shorter then the radiation section, which makes it seem like a less risky course of treatment, Further, when he discusses radiation options, he lumps (no pun intended) them altogether as a single option, not differentiating between seed implants, or the different types of external radiation therapy, and completely ignores Proton beam therapy. I don't believe this was a conscious choice on his part but rather one which reflects his training and personal experiences both as a practitioner and patient.

I would still recommend reading the book as it does an especially good job in dealing with the voiding consequences of either therapy and provides a good framework to make a decision. But, the reader should recognize Dr. McHugh's inherent slant toward surgery and also therefore read other books as well. Lastly, the one piece of advise he gives which should be adhered to, speak to, and be open with, your doctors and get second, and even third opinions if possible and don't make decision based on any single source, be it a book, a pamphlet, website, friend or the first doctor you speak with or book you read.

First let me state that I have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer, yet! Over the last 15 years, since I was 50, I have experienced a roller coaster of PSA levels. The low numbers were still near or above 4 and the highs were above 8! These ups and downs have caused many hours of anxiety for me and my wife. During this emotional ride, I have had 4 prostate biopsies, all were negative!! My last PSA was high again and we are back to the anxiety and deciding on waiting until my next appointment in 6 months or having another biopsy just to be sure?? Then during a routine visit with my primary care doctor I brought him up-to-date on my prostate adventure. He told me about Dr. McHugh's book about his own experience with prostate cancer. He suggested I read the book even though I had not been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had read one other book on the subject sometime ago and thought it might be a good idea to read something new on the subject.

When I received the book and started reading, I could not put it down. It was such an easy read that it took me just 2 days to finish it! I was generally familiar with most of terms and topics from my own personnel experiences, but Dr. McHugh covered each step with just enough detail and in plain English that provides the reader with all the information and guidance necessary to make "The Decision"!

Fortunately, I don't have to make that decision, not yet anyway, but it did provide me with peace-of-mind that if and when that time ever comes I will be able to make "The Decision" without any hesitation. The book provided me with all the information needed to feel empowered no matter what the outcome!

Dr. McHugh's humor, that he so eloquently disperses through-out the book, provided not only entertainment, but also relieved a lot of my current anxiety about my decision to undergo another biopsy. I would highly recommend this book to any man (and his wife) that has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but also has some anxiety about high PSA levels. Thank you Dr. McHugh!!!!