Body metrics

During my last visit to the IKN on 2/6/2015 my body metrics were as follows:

Weight  -  69 Kg

BMI       - 25.3

BP        - 122/69

Pulse    - 68 BPM

Oxygen level in body - 99%

I was given a clean bill. You may want to know my secret to good health? It is no secret actually. I t is all about exercising daily and eating well. The key to this is discipline and consistency.

For your information my body metrics hardly changed over the last two years. See table below:

Year	2/7/2013	26/5/2015
Weight (Kg)	69.5	69.3
Body Fat	27.9%	27.3%
Actual age (1944)	68	70
Bio- age	63	63
BMI	25.4	25.1
Basal Metabolic Rate	1554	1553
Viseral fat	14%	13.5%
Skeleton	27.7%	27.7%
Trunk fat	17.3%	16.9%
Leg fat	24.6%	23.9%
Arm fat	24.1%	23.5%
Whole body fat	19.2%	18.8%
Trunk Muscle	20.4%	20.8%
Leg Muscle	45%	45.2%
Arm muscle	34.2%	34.4
Whole body muscle	27.5%	27.8%

Keeping a record of your body metrics is a good way to maintain discipline and consistency.

As I grew older by 2 years, my bio-age remained the same. I had a slight improvement in my visceral and overall body fats. This is important to keep fats in the stomach and hormone levels stable. My body muscles were slightly up, but as expected building muscles gets more difficult with age.

I hope to maintain the same results come next year.

Take care 

Allen Lai

Serum PSA profile following Radiation Therapy for Prostrate Cancer: Implication for patterns of failure and definition of cure

Another Pub Med.Gov report in April 1998. Study still valid.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: 

A reference range of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values compatible with cure following radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa) has yet to be established. Various thresholds, as low as 0.5 ng/mL, have been used to define biochemical disease-free status. We report PSA profiles in 118 patients who were systematically biopsied following standard RT, with a minimum 4-year follow-up.

METHODS: 

One hundred eighteen patients were treated with standard external beam RT from May 1987 to October 1991, and were followed prospectively with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsies and measurement of serum PSA levels. Stage distribution was as follows: T1b: 25 patients, T2a: 27 patients, T2b/c: 42 patients, T3: 23 patients, T4: 1 patient. Median follow-up for patients without clinical failure is 68 months (range 48 to 108). Treatment failures were categorized as biochemical (biochemical failure [chemF]: PSA level of 2.0 ng/mL or more and greater than 1 ng/mL over nadir), local (local failure [LF]: positive biopsy and PSA level greater than 2.0), and distant failure (DF).

RESULTS: 

PCa recurred in 55% of patients: 38% LF (n = 45; 30 isolated and 15 with DF), 25% DF (n = 30; 15 isolated and 15 with LF), and 4% chemF (n = 5). Mean PSA nadir was 0.4 for patients with no evidence of disease (NED) and occurred at 33 months, 3.2 for LF at 17 months, 7.7 for DF at 12 months, and 1.4 for chemF at 24 months. After reaching the nadir, PSA in patients with recurrence followed first-order kinetics, rising exponentially over time. The mean PSA doubling time was 12.6 months for LF, 5.2 months for DF, and 21.8 months for chemF (P = 0.004). At last follow-up, the median PSA for patients without evidence of disease is 0.5 ng/mL. Four such patients had PSA values that rose to between 1 and 2 ng/mL for 5 to 38 months, but these eventually fell again to less than 1 ng/mL. Three patients had PSA values between 2 and 3 ng/mL, but 2 now have decreasing levels and the third has a rising level. All patients whose PSA levels rose to greater than 3 ng/mL exhibited a persistently rising pattern and ultimate tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS: 

There is a range of PSA values following RT for PCa that is compatible with cure. A definition of biochemical disease-free status at any absolute threshold of PSA level less than 3 ng/mL will overdiagnose failure in a significant proportion of patients. Patients with a PSA level between 1.5 and 3 ng/mL should be observed until there is unequivocal evidence of disease recurrence. In the absence of known biopsy status, PSA doubling time can be a useful indicator of whether failure is local or distant.

View report here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9586608

Take care

Allen Lai

Pattern of local failure following Radiation Therapy for Prostrate Cancer

A study report from Pub Med.Gov dated 14 May 2015

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 

Little is known about patterns of local failure following radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to characterize post-radiation biopsy (PRB) findings, including the presence of treatment effect, and the zonal distribution of recurrent disease after RT in men experiencing biochemical recurrence (BCR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 

We identified patients who received PRB in the setting of BCR following primary radiation for localized disease. Histologic PRB results were categorized by the absence of tumor, demonstration of radiation treatment effect, failure (recurrent cancer), or a combination of treatment effect and failure. We describe patterns of histologic failure and compared them to the diagnostic biopsy findings.

RESULTS: 

284 underwent mapped PRB for BCR. Mean age at initial diagnosis was 63 years, median PSA was 8.2 ng/ml; 33% of men were classified as low, 32% intermediate, and 35% high risk, based on clinical CAPRA categories. Median time to PRB was 61 months post-treatment and findings were negative in 4%, treatment effect in 31%, failure in 45%, and a combination in 20%. Failure rates were similar across sextants. Among 140 patients with mapped pre-and post-treatment biopsies, 4% demonstrated cancer in a new location previously identified as negative. Gleason upgrading occurred in 43%, with 85% upgraded ≥ 4+3.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Men with rising PSA after radiotherapy for PCa most often recur in dominant tumor sites. Whether failure is due to inadequate targeting, dosing or intrinsic radiation resistance remains unknown, and further study is warranted.

See study report here

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25983194

take care

Allen Lai

Rosetta Stone for Prostate Cancer found

Prostrate cancer cells

Researchers say that doctors could now start testing for the mutations and give patients with advanced prostate cancer existing drugs or drug combinations which are known to targeted the specific genomic aberrations

Hi all,


Read report published in Cell :

Almost 90 per cent of men with advanced prostate cancer carry genetic mutations in their tumours that could be targeted by either existing or new cancer drugs, a landmark new study reveals.

Scientists in the UK and the US have created a comprehensive map of the genetic mutations within lethal prostate cancers that have spread around the body, in a paper being hailed as the disease's 'Rosetta Stone'.

Researchers say that doctors could now start testing for these 'clinically actionable' mutations and give patients with advanced prostate cancer existing drugs or drug combinations targeted at these specific genomic aberrations in their cancers.

The study was led in the UK by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, in collaboration with researchers from eight academic clinical trials centres around the world.

Uniquely, doctors at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and at hospitals in the US were able to collect large numbers of samples of metastatic cancers -- cancers that had spread from the original tumour to other parts of the body.

Normally these samples are extremely hard to access, and this is the first study in the world to carry out in-depth analysis of metastatic prostate cancers that are resistant to standard treatments.

The research is published in the journal Cell, and is funded by Stand up to Cancer and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Researchers analysed the genetic codes of metastatic tumours from the bone, soft tissues, lymph nodes and liver of 150 patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Nearly two thirds of the men in the study had mutations in a molecule that interacts with the male hormone androgen which is targeted by current standard treatments -- potentially opening up new avenues for hormone therapy.

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes -- most famous for their roles in breast cancer -- were found in nearly 20 per cent of patients. Recent work at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden has shown that these patients can be treated effectively by drugs called PARP inhibitors.

Researchers also discovered new mutations, never detected before in prostate cancer, but which do occur in other cancers. These include mutations in the PI3K and RAF gene families which can also be targeted by existing drugs, either currently in trials or approved for use in the clinic.

The researchers also took blood tests to analyse patients' own genomes, and found that 8 per cent were born with DNA errors that predisposed them to prostate cancer.

They said this could strengthen the case for genetic screening for people with a family history of the disease.

Previous genetic studies on prostate cancers had mostly analysed tissue from the primary tumours, which tend to carry fewer mutations than metastatic sites.

Studies of metastatic sites had been small and mostly used tissue taken during post mortems -- whereas in this study doctors took needle biopsies taken from patients during the course of their treatment.

Professor Johann de Bono, Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have for the first time produced a comprehensive genetic map of the mutations in prostate cancers that have spread round the body. This map will guide our future treatment and trials for this group of different lethal diseases. We're describing this study as prostate cancer's Rosetta Stone -- because of the ability it gives us to decode the complexity of the disease, and to translate the results into personalised treatment plans for patients.

"Our study shines new light on the genetic complexity of prostate cancer as it develops and spreads -- revealing it to be not a single disease, but many diseases each driven by their own set of mutations. What's hugely encouraging is that many of the key mutations we have identified are ones targeted by existing cancer drugs -- meaning that we could be entering a new era of personalised cancer treatment."

Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive and President of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "Cancer becomes lethal at the stage when it spreads round the body and stops responding to treatment -- but until now it has been incredibly difficult to find out exactly what is going on genetically at that critical point.

"This major new study opens up the black box of metastatic cancer, and has found inside a wealth of genetic information that I believe will change the way we think about and treat advanced disease. The study found that almost 90 per cent of metastatic tumours had actionable mutations, which means that these findings could make a real difference to large numbers of patients."

Read BBC's article here:
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-32818060

Take care all

Allen Lai

The scientific link between happiness and exercise

Hi all,

View the scientific link between happiness and exercise.  Now that you know, be happy.

Visit the link below:

http://coolbuzz.co.in/the-scientific-link-between-happiness-and-exercise-what-happens-to-our-brains-when-we-exercise-and-how-it-makes-us-happier/

Take care

Allen Lai

Clinical trials are being conducted on diet for PCa

The diet plan

Hi all,

Clinical Tial.gov is currently offering qualified candidates to experiment and study on diet impact for PCA patients. This is a proposed two years programme.

For those who may not be able to participate you may view the above image for the proposed diet plan. Try it yourself as you have nothing to loose.

See the link to the trial requirements below:

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01238172?term=Trial+NCT+01238172&rank=1


Take care

Allen Lai

Stable PSA

Hi all,

Today 2 June 2015, I am really very elated and happy to see my PSA level dropped to 0.17 from 0.19 from three months ago. It has been on a slow incline since August 2014 as expected. But showing a drop is just fantastic. All my dedication and efforts to fight off my cancer cells are paying off. I attribute my biggest gain came from my daily exercises.


Take care all,

Allen Lai

Mindful eating

The book

6 steps

Balance

Mindful eating plate

Eating well and appropriately are essential eating adjuvant therapies to cancer treatments. Eating well and appropriately does not mean eating super functional food, food for detoxifications or food to enhance our immune system. Eating therapy is essentially eating mindfully and nutritiously. It also means eating moderately.

Eating is much more than just satisfying hunger, it entails high emotional quotions as with cravings. Cancer treatments creates side effects affecting eating, like loss of appetite, taste, and the ability to swollow, nausea and much more.

If the cancer patient is obsese and has diabetes, he should eat less and should loose some weight to stabilise fat in the body. If the cancer patient rejects food due to side effects, then the patient is vulnerable to cachexia; a dangerous condition when cancer cells will eat normal cells to survive. That is why cancer is sometimes referred as a “wasting disease”

Susan Albers, PSY.D’s latest book Eat.Q. avocates the power of emotional intelligence to address our problems in eating. This is not another health or weight loss book.  Susan Albers is an experienced psychologist specialising in mindful eating, mindfulness and emotional intelligence. The author recognises the emotional elements that are affecting us when we eat. This book provides the solution to emotional eating, stress related eating and plain old over-eating. Her EAT formula is definitely a fresh approach to mindful eating. EAT is an acronym for Embracing your feelings, Accepting your emotions, and Turning to new, positive alternatives to eating.

The book is however heavy reading to digest and understand it’s tools for success. Whilst the book is essentially to help obese people to reduce weight, it is also a good book for cancer patients to avoid cachexia. Just use the same concepts in handling the eating process with emotional  intelligence.

This is a good book to have and to guide us through in eating well and mindfully.

Take care

Allen Lai

Dr Glenn Begley on TED Talks

Graphical progression of the cancer cells

Dr Glenn Begley gave an interesting talk In Medical TED Talk in 2011. The topic of his talk is “The complex Biology of cancer (or why We haven’t cured it yet). Although some of the details are slightly dated now, the gist of what he explained remains relevant. Yes there has been marked progresses in immunotherapies, tergeted therapies, vacines and nuclear medicines.

Dr Begley’s salient points are:

Cancer is not one diesease.

Cancer cells begins with one single cell.

Tumorigenesis is a multi-step process originating from a single cell.

Cancer develops fairly slowly over many years.

Detection of cancer is more often detected at the very late stage of its development.

Primary cancers seldom kills. Metastases kill.

Adjuvant therapies are the most significant advance in cancer treatments.

The graph above shows that cancer growth rate is higher in the initial development. The exponential phase is at 10 base 3 (20 doubling times) and the remission/relapse milestone is defined at the 10 base 6 when the tumour is detectable. (30 doubling times)

Visit the utube video below for his full talk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpALjMJEb50

Dr C. Glenn Begley is Chief Scientific Officer at TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals, Malvern, PA. He serves on the Board of Directors of the UK-based Oxford BioTherapeutics, and is on the Scientific Advisory Boards for several biotech companies. From 2002-2012, he was Vice-President and Global Head of Hematology/Oncology Research at Amgen, responsible for building, directing and integrating the research program at Amgen’s 5 research sites. He has over 20 years of clinical experience in medical oncology and hematology. His research has focused on transnational clinical trials and regulation of hematopoietic cells. He has published over 200 scientific papers is Board Certified in Australia as a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist and has a PhD in cellular and molecular biology. He has numerous awards and honors including election to the Association of American Physicians.

Take care all

Allen Lai

On the cancer frontier

Read about Paul A. Marks MD’s trial and tribulations as he goes through the era of the war against cancer in the US. Dr Marks led the Memorial Sloan-Kettering cancer Center (MSKCC) for nineteen years and had been an advisor on the US national cancer policy. He is  a prominent figure in the medical research into finding a cure for cancer for over half a century.

Read his joys and frustrations in trying to establish the strategy for the war against cancer since 1971. He had helped in the containment of cancer and briefly now described his account of the transformation in our understanding of cancer and why there is a growing optimism in our ability to stop it.

A good read to understand the fundermental changes and milestones in the successes in cancer research achieved thus far. 

Take care 

Allen Lai

Prostrate Cancer Relative Survival Rate - SEER 1975 -2012 report released 2015

It is most encouraging to note that relative survival past 15 years since 1996 till today are all 90 plus percentage.

Definition of relative survival by SEER

Relative survival is a net survival measure representing cancer survival in the absence of other causes of death. Relative survival is defined as the ratio of the proportion of observed survivors in a cohort of cancer patients to the proportion of expected survivors in a comparable set of cancer free individuals. The formulation is based on the assumption of independent competing causes of death. The relative survival adjusts for the general survival of the U.S. population for that race, sex, age, and date at which the age was coded. If age, race, sex, or year information is missing, that individual is excluded from the analysis.

Cheers

Allen Lai

Cancer cells development

PSA doubling time is not the same as tumour cells growth doubling time. The former is just one of the many PCa markers and the latter is the actual timeline for the cancer cells to double itself forming the tumour mass. Whilst PSA doubling time does indicate cancer growth, it is the unsually high level of PSA that is the main concern and it should initiate other clinical tests to confirm resurgence of the cancer cells. Slow PSA doubling time together with slow velocity in increaseing PSA are fairly safe until the values past biochemical recurrence at 0.02 ng/L after radical prostatectomy and at 2.0 ng/L plus nadir point for radiation therapy.

Cancer cells growth go through three steps of development, with different timelines for agressive cells and slower growing cancer cells. The growth steps are Initiation, Promotion and Progression. Below is an extract from the Canadian Cancer Society describing the growth timeline  of cancer cells doubling itself to form the tumour.

Progression

The change (transformation) in a normal cell causes it to behave, grow and function quite differently and turn into a cancer cell. The cell’s growth instructions get mixed up. This causes the cell to go on growing and reproducing itself. The time it takes a cell to double in number is called the doubling time. A fast-growing cancer cell may double over 1–4 weeks, a slower growing one over 2–6 months. The doubling time varies with the type of cancer cell and how aggressive it is.

In adults, there is usually a long developmental (latency) period after initiation during which promotion and progression are occurring, which means it takes a long time before a cell becomes cancerous. In children, this latency period is much shorter.

As cancer cells grow, they can group together to form a lump (tumour). It can take several months or even years (up to 30 years) for cancer cells to form a lump that is big enough to be felt or detected by an imaging test. By this time, the cancer cell has undergone about 30 or more doublings, and even though the lump is very small, it can contain about a billion cells. In children, the time is much less for a lump to become noticeable.

I am still trying to find the study showing the direct corelation between PSA doubling time and cancer cells growth doubling time.

Link to the article for the above extract here : http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-101/what-is-cancer/cancer-cell-development/?region=on#ixzz3YYz3HXhm

Take care 

Allen Lai

Choices

The fourth edition to one of the best and popular books on cancer may be 10 years since publication but it is still the most relevant reference book on cancer. Choices - The most complete sourcebook for cancer information.The book is written by Marion Morran and Eve Potts in 1980 and it is still the best book of the month in Amazon in 2015.

Read the book review below:

For more than twenty years, Choices has been the leading source-book for cancer patients and their families. Fully revised to cover the latest medical and technological breakthroughs, Choices, Fourth Edition, provides the most up-to-date and essential facts on cancer, from diagnosis to recovery -- medication and nutrition, symptoms and stages, and all available surgical and nonsurgical treatments -- in an accessible, easy-to-use Q&A format. The book also includes checklists of essential questions for your doctor; useful Internet resources; a state-by-state listing of cancer-related programs, organizations, and services; reviews of complementary and alternative therapies; updated listings of chemotherapy drugs and their side effects; the facts on common misconceptions regarding cancer treatments; and advice on practical living concerns for both survivors and caregivers.

Recommended by health-care professionals nationwide, Choices is a unique and invaluable reference. Marion Morra and Eve Potts's clear, compassionate advice is on every page, offering reassurance with the informed knowledge every cancer patient needs to make the right decisions throughout the treatment process.

I recommend this book for anyone who wish to know some quick information on cancer. However do note that cancer treatments, care and drugs for cancer are very much more advanced than described herein. The book covers all the basic need to know only.

Allen Lai

Happy Chinese New Year 2015

Wishing all my Chinese friends a Happy Chinese New Year 2015. May the year of the goat brings good health and prosperity to you and your families always.

Allen Lai

Happy New Year 2015

Hi all,

Happy New Year 2015 to you and your families. Good health and blessings for always.

From
Allen Lai

What is it to be in remission?

My PSA levels

Yesterday, I did my regular checkup in the Institute Kanser Negara, Putrajaya. The Oncologist was pleased with my PSA numbers for the past two years, albeit rising slowly after my last hormone treatment. My PSA readings had a trend of a high rise and a low rise intermittently. But the last PSA reading showed NO rise at all and remaining at 0.18 ng/ml. My PSA level is significantly too low to worry about for now. 

The doctor told me that I am in remission, and do not worry about my cancer for now. Live the best lifestyle as possible for as long as possible. PSA levels are not designed for patients to analyse nor to worry about. The PSA readings are for your Oncologist to monitor your cancer. Let the doctor see the bigger picture as the PSA level is only one of the factor to consider. There may be other threats to the body like problems with other organs and having other diseases in the body.

That’s it. you are in remission. Live your life and do your thing until your PSA readings reflect something radical and that is compounded by some physical symptoms. Otherwise you are in remission.

I wish to share other views about remission in the link below:

 http://www.inspire.com/groups/us-too-prostate-cancer/discussion/what-can-be-called-remission/

Take care all,

I am off to celebrate. I am in remission.

Allen Lai

Ten good reasons for joining a support group

I am glad that I chanced upon a very good website explaining the values of joining a support group.
I extract their full text below :

Have you been circling the idea of joining a support group but haven’t made your mind up yet? Why would someone like you choose to join a support group? In other words, what’s in it for you?

Often referred to as Group, a Support Group is a circle of people who conduct meetings and talks cantered on specific issues. If you have one particular issue in life which you need to heal or recover from, then you have every reason to be part of a Group.

Specifically, here are ten good reasons why someone like you would choose to join a support group:

Join a group to avoid feeling alone and isolated.

In the face of a personal life challenge, it is feelings of isolation which can be your greatest enemy. In this case, it can be very reassuring to know that you are not alone. Your struggle is neither as different nor as unique as you first thought it to be. Difficult as it is to deal with life’s issues all on your own, you don’t have to. You can find relief in the presence of other people who share the same struggles. And the more you share your experience, the more you realize that your struggles have become lighter and bearable.

Be part of a group that reaches out to others.

In sharing your experiences, you likewise reach out with your thoughts and feelings. You choose to open up an area of your life – not to a typical bunch of ordinary strangers, but to those who similarly have special needs or are under extraordinary circumstances. These are the people who can relate to how it feels like to be in your shoes. Thus, you feel connected with these people and once again reconnected with the outside world.

Join a group to have a shoulder to lean on.

Although everybody needs answers and solutions to their problem, there are times when all you need is an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on. After all: Who else to unburden and verbalize these to but someone who understands the problem first-hand? By leaning on one another for affirmation, you lend strong emotional support. The support is mutual of course because, one day, it might be your turn to be that crying shoulder and to be the stronger one.

Joining a group allows you to hear and be heard.

Just remember: When you are around a group, you are rubbing elbows with people who are prepared to listen. Much like you, they too are hungry for more information. They too may be nervous about sharing personal details. And yet all of you will benefit from hearing and being heard. So, as a first-timer or a newbie, you can’t go wrong with listening and tuning-in first. Once you get more attuned to the flow of the talk, you will know when to voice out your opinion as well as when to pause and listen.

Joining a group enables you to understand and be understood.

In a group which is open to talking about thoughts and feelings by turns, everybody gets the chance to contribute. In effect, you have a higher chance of understanding and being understood. When you are part of the right group, it is highly likely that other people understand exactly what you are going through. No longer are you unique and one-of-a-kind; rather, you are one with the group and you all have something in common. The only difference is that some may already have attained their goal ahead of you, while the rest of you are still striving to achieve it. Nonetheless, you can count on your fellow members to back up your progress.

Join a group because it helps you stay informed.

One of the most enriching aspects of a support group is that it empowers you with knowledge and information. It is either your group has the answer you need and can equip you with solutions, or it can lead you to the answer and give you directions. Your life will be a whole lot easier, simply because there are people willing to share their own coping skills and survival techniques.

Being part of a group makes you more accountable.

Participation in support groups makes you more accountable for your choices and actions. If you are on a program, for example, your progress will be monitored. Especially when the group is small in size and close in ties, do expect your absence to be noticed. Your peers will express concern when you don’t show up for a weekly meeting. They may even go out of their way to find out what other problem could be hampering your healing and recovery.

Join a group to keep you right on track.

With the goal of simplifying your life rather than complicating it, your group will surely try to keep you within the program. On one hand, sticking to the course set for you and your peers will help you manage the problem and maintain control. On the other hand, if you go it alone, the tendency would be for you to lose focus and be off-track.

Be part of a group and build more relationships.

Other than helping you rebuild your life, joining a group will help you build new and meaningful relationships. Setting aside the possibility of dating and matchmaking within this circle, in the meantime, the primary purpose is for you to associate with people who truly care, mean well, and look out for you. With closer ties and lasting friendships as an added bonus, this experience can be very rewarding!

Join a group because it is the right one for you.

Lastly, join a group because you genuinely believe that is it the right one for you! Being in the company of the right group will spell a big difference in your life. With its fair share of accomplishments and losses, along with joys and sorrows, a group that you can relate to will help you heal and recover faster. It will also improve your outlook and change your life for the better.

Visit Http://www.foundsupport.com here.

Stable PSA

Hi all,

Yes I have not posted for quite awhile, the main reason being I am changing my lifestyle from pure physicals to a bit more outdoor adventures for fun and also trying out a new approach. However my standing strategies to beat cancer remains unchanged. That is to maintain a healthy and strong body through exercises, fresh air, hydration and sunshine for vitamin D. I also pray without fail to God for his blessings.

My PSA had been rising slowly and steadily since I had stopped my Zoladex injections for a year now. My Nadir level was 0.01ng/ml when I was under hormone therapy.  My PSA rose from 0.02 ng/ml in January 2013 to 0.18 ng/ml in November 2014. A steady rise of about an average of 0.01 ng/ml per month. It levelled off intermittently in May 2014 and plateaued off at 0.18 ng/ml for the last three months.

I am pleased with my strategies to beat cancer. However I should note that I began to take 1000 mg of Metformin every night since March 2014. This may be the cause for my PSA to plateau off. I shall continue to monitor the effects of Metformin in the coming reviews.

Take care all. I am off to celebrate.

Allen Lai