Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers: No More Unnecessary Biopsies, Radical Treatment or Loss of Sexual Potency »

"There are at Least Half a Million Reasons-the number of prostate cancer diagnoses in the U.S. and Europe-To Read this Engaging Diary/Resource written from the alternating perspectives of doctor and patient ... Here's good advice based on the brave experiences of two compatible souls and medical mavericks."---Publishers weekly" "Prostate cancer, when it is the 'favorable risk' variety-about 90% of the time-presents a perfect opportunity to use mainstream and alternative medicine together. In their Excellent Book, Authors Scholz and Blum Give a Compelling Demonstration of this Integrative Approach to Healing."-Andrew Weil, M.D. Director University of Arizona center for Integrative Medicine and Author of six New York Times Best Sellers Including Spontaneous Healing and Natural Health. Natural Medicine" "Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers is a Masterpieces of Eye-opening Science that promises to enhance the lives of thousands of men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. I Give it my Highest Recommendation."---Christiane Northrup, MD, oe/Gyn Physician and Author of the new York Times Best Sellers Women's bodies, Women's Wisoom and the Wisdom of Menopause" "Ralph Blum's twenty-year prostate cancer journey shows men how to consider all alternatives in a thoughtful way. Dr. Mark Scholz's unique medical perspective provides the reassruring scientific support of a prostate oncologist. This Book is Essential Reading for any Man Newly Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer." ---Dean Ornish, MD. President Preventive Medicine Research Institute: Clinical Professor of Medicine University of California. San Francisco and Author of the Spectrum" "In an Informative and Entertaining manner, the authors present a uniquely two-sided perspective on prostate cancer. An Excellent Book for the Newly Diagnosed."---Tanya Dorff, Md, Assistant Professor of Medicine Use Regr School of Medicine Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center" "Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers is a Must Read for anyone who wants to get a glimpse of what the practice of future medicine needs to be."---T. Colin Campbell, PhD., Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry, Cornell University, And Coauthor of the China Study" "If Scholz and Blum do nothing more than change the way so many men think about their prostate cancer from 'a deadly disease' to a 'Low-Risk condition,' they will have served us well."---Larry Raithaus, MD. Urologist, Wilcox Memorial Hospital Kaual Rawall" "Every Year Almost Two Hundred Thousand Confused and Frightened American Men are Tossed into a Prostate Cancer Cauldron Stirred by a sales force lobbying for a multibillion-dollar industry. In this flourishing business, the radical prostatectomy is still the most widely recommended treatment option. Yet according to a recent study, only one out of every forty-eight men undergoing radical treatment benefits with longer survival." "Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers Reports the Latest Thinking in Prostate Cancer Management: Low-Risk disease can be safely monitored with "active surveillance" and does not require immediate radical treatment. Intermediate-Risk disease requires either hormone therapy, radiation or surgery, with treatment selection based on quality-of-life considerations. And High-Risk prostate cancer is now being successfully treated with a combination of two or three therapies." "In a Unique Collaboration, Doctor and Patient Provide a New Perspective on Managing This Disease. Ralph Blum's surprisingly entertaining twenty-year journey and eventual decision to treat his cancer as a "chronic condition," together with Dr. Mark Scholz's presentation of the newest scientific advances, will liberate thousands of newly diagnosed men to pursue a noninvasive approach and thereby preserve normal sexual and urinary fuction." Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers serves as a trustworthy and valuable guide for safely navigating the dangerous medical minefield of prostate cancer.

Publishers Weekly

There are at least half a million reasons--the number of prostate cancer diagnoses in the U.S. and Europe--to read this engaging diary/resource written from the alternating perspectives of doctor and patient. But those who've faced any cancer crisis should also take heed--and heart--from cultural anthropologist Blum, who's lived with prostate cancer for two decades, and oncologist Scholz, an associate clinical professor at USC School of Medicine, who champions "testosterone inactivating pharmaceuticals" for earlystage disease--these reduce levels of testosterone, which prostate cancer cells need to grow. Among cancers, prostate cancer "is the best deal in town," Blum argues--a slow-growing cancer that demands a slow-go approach, second opinion, and, in his own case, a decision to do no more than watch-and-wait. He then gamely examines his own fear-driven homework on standard and alternative treatments: prostatectomy, cryosurgery, radiation, chemicals, and alternative approaches like Eastern medicine and lifestyle changes. Yet in the end, Blum notes, it's the "insight and involvement of the individual" that makes the difference in a patient's outcome. Here's good advice based on the brave experiences of two compatible souls and medical mavericks. (Aug.)

Prologue 1

Introduction 3

1 Welcome to Prostate Country 5

2 All the Decision Makers are Surgeons! 15

3 The Quest for an Enchanted Shotgun 24

4 Commuting the Death Sentence 38

5 A Band of Brothers 48

6 Introducing Active Surveillance 60

7 Life in the Libido-Free Zone 70

8 To Biopsy or Not to Biopsy: Opening Pandora's Box 79

9 The Return of the Prodigal Hard-On 87

10 TIP: Testosterone Inactivating Pharmaceuticals 95

11 Invitation to the "Ice Ball" 103

12 A New Look at Radiation 111

13 Nikola Tesla's Magical Mystery Machine 120

14 Quality Imaging: A Doorway to Less Toxic Treatment 128

15 Now Playing for a Limited Time Only: The Combidex Follies 136

16 Deciding on Your Treatment 145

17 Anatomy of an Assisted Suicide 156

18 The Insulin Connection 169

19 Hexing: The Modern Sorcerer's Curse 177

20 Diet and Supplements: An Overview 187

21 Romancing the Immune System 196

22 How Prostate Cancer Can make You Live Longer: Getting to the Doctor's Office 208

23 By Way of Summing Up 217

24 Genuine Hope for Men with Relapsed Disease 222

Appendix: Avodart and Proscar 231

Notes 235

Acronyms 249

Glossary 251

Annotated Bibliography 259

Prostate Oncologists: A Preliminary List 267

Web Sites 271

Other Publications by Scholz and Blum 275

Acknowledgments 277

Index 281