3 Responses to “The Prostate: Everything You Need to Know”

1. 

   Anonymous said on Thursday, January 14, 2010, 2:05

   When focused on the topic of prostate cancer, Dr. Taguchi is a urologist/surgeon and as such, overtly biased in favor of surgery. He goes so far as to say “…The moment I have removed the prostate gland, in a three hour operation, the cancer is gone.”

   This godlike assertion is simply not accurate. As my own urologist explained it, in order to spare the nerves, the surgeon must leave some prostate tissue behind. There is always a chance that some microscopic foci of cancer cells could be left in that tissue. The surgeon should forthrightly present the mathematical percentages, rather than an ironclad guarantee.

   In another passage, regarding modes of radiation treatment, Taguchi writes, “…about half of all prostate cancer patients who are given radiotherapy are permanently cured by it…”

   Evidently Taguchi has overlooked published studies that show radiotherapy may be curative in up to 80%-90% of patients.

   The following quote comes from a press release for “The Prostate: Everything You Need to Know”: “[We] place a burden on the patient population when we ask them to participate in their choice of treatment… A specialist has spent four years in undergraduate university studies, four years in medical school, and five years in specialty training. Does it make sense for patients to make critical decisions for themselves after a five-minute lecture and an evening’s exposure on the Internet?” — Yosh Taguchi, M.D.

   Taking Dr. Taguchi’s quote as fairly representing himself as a professional, his attitude seems antiquated and condescending. More disturbing is that, on the one hand, Taguchi presents himself as an uninpeachable authority on prostate cancer, while on the other hand, his book reflects an utter disregard for a fair presentation of the full treatment-choice spectrum (not to mention a lack of correct and/or up-to-date information).

   As a PCa patient, I enthusiastically took on the “burden” of participating in my choice of treatment (brachytherapy). It is my body and my life; after a long journey of research, interviews with other patients and numerous consultations with physicians, the treatment I finally chose was ultimately my decision alone to make.

   It falls upon us, the patients (and those close to us), to set straight such biased, misinformed members of the medical community.
   Rating: 1 / 5
2. 

   Donna Pogliano said on Thursday, January 14, 2010, 4:40

   This book is one of the worst examples of an apparently authoritative work I have ever heard of. It has numerous factual errors and has a significant bias toward surgery which may mislead patients into a treatment modality that may be inappropriate for them. The statistics on cure rates for radiology and surgery are roughly the same, a fact which this author, despite his pose as a knowledgeable surgeon, chooses to ignore. Save your money and read an authoritative work on ALL the options for treatment of prostate cancer at:

   http://www.phoenix5.org/Basics/DPprimer0918.html

   Also, while you are at the Phoenix5 website, page around to obtain the best information on the Net regarding impotence and sexual issues in regard to prostate cancer. There are also alot of first person stories and essays, plus resources such as an interactive glossary and reliable information regarding treatment options for impotence.
   Rating: 1 / 5
3. 

   No prostate in Montreal said on Thursday, January 14, 2010, 5:34

   The author removed my prostate in 2001 — and he spared those nerves! I found the book most helpful, before and after; it covered all the bases in accessible language. It is true, as another reviewer noted, that Dr.Taguchi, a surgeon, is biased towards surgery, but practitioners of other methods are biased towards their treatments. Surprise? Given the results, I am very happy with the choice I made. All in all, I think surgery is still the long-term, worry-free way to go, particularly if you are younger (I was 53).
   Rating: 4 / 5