"The Juice" diagnosed with prostate cancer--but how bad is it?

A One Act AI Play: 'Chas & Lloyd: The Crown & The Sword': King Charles and Sec. Austin chat about their prostate and cancer woes

By Howard Wolinsky

Famous men, infamous men, obscure men, rich/poor, black/white men, none of us is immune to prostate cancer, which the American Cancer Society estimates will be diagnosed in almost 300,000 American me n this year and will kill about 35,000.

And so O. J. Simpson, 76, acquitted murderer and football great, has joined the ranks of men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Apparently, the urologist’s glove fit.

Recent headlines have showcased prostate cancer diagnoses in U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chocago Cubs Hall-of-Famer Ryne Sandberg were diagnosed recently and Dexter Scott King, youngest son of MLK Jr., died from prostate cancer.

Sandberg is white and the other men are Black. Around 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with the disease at some point vs. 1 in 8 white men. The disease is also deadlier for Black men. They’re twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to men of other races, according to the American Cancer Society.

News reports about Simpson are confusing. They have him undergoing chemotherapy which, if true, suggests Juice has advanced PCa.

“Chemo isn’t part of the treatment for most men with prostate cancer, but it can be used to treat advanced prostate cancer, especially if there is a lot of cancer outside the prostate gland. It can be used along with hormone therapy, or by itself if hormone therapy is no longer working,” according to the American Cancer Society. “Chemo is not a standard treatment for early prostate cancer.”

The media also reported Simpson, who is being treated in Las Vegas, is in a hospice.

Simpson poked the media back, saying he’s not in a hospice and he’s not dying.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1756014519917371577

Some of Simpson’s friends and family members have stated the opposite was the case.

Eventually, the facts will come out.

Simpson said he plans to have “a ton of friends” over for the Super Bowl in Vegas on Sunday, February 11.

Now for something completely different: “Chas & Lloyd: The Crown & The Sword” in One Act

(Note: This did not happen except in an AI fantasy or hallucination. I was speaking with Mr. Anon., one of the winners of our “Putting the Glee in Gleason Scores Prostate Humor Contest,” and the idea popped up about having King Charles, who was treated for an enlarged prostate and now unspecified cancer, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who has been through the wringer with his prostate cancer, discuss their experiences. So I asked one of my sons to ask ChatGPT to create a scenario in which the two men discuss their recent medical challenges. Here’s what ensued with some editorial help from the mysterious Mr. Anon. HW.)

ChatGPT: As this is a hypothetical scenario involving public figures discussing personal medical issues, it's important to tread carefully and maintain sensitivity. Comedy can often navigate such topics, but it's crucial to ensure it's done respectfully. Here's a speculative approach to what they might say:

[The stage is set. King Charles III and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stand side by side, both with a hint of apprehension in their expressions. Austin glances in the direction of the men’s room, and gives a pained look.

King Charles III: [In a regal tone] Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. As your monarch, I'm here tonight to address a matter of great importance... to men of a certain age, but not over another certain age.

[The audience chuckles softly.]

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: [shuffling nervously] Indeed, Your Majesty. As a man who has spent a lifetime defending his country, I can attest that there are some things that even the most skilled warriors find challenging.

[The audience laughs, sensing the camaraderie between the two figures.]

King Charles III: You see, it's come to my attention that a certain... shall we say, 'malady,' has been the subject of much speculation.

[The audience leans in, snickering.]

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: Ah yes, Your Majesty. It seems we have both survived the battlefield only to succumb to….the prostate!

[A ripple of laughter spreads through the crowd.]

King Charles III: Indeed, my dear Austin. It's quite the leveler, isn't it? No crown or uniform can shield us from the realities of incontinence.  

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: Precisely, Your Majesty. But fear not, for even in the face of such trials, we soldiers must march on, with a few rest stops.

[The audience applauds, appreciating the resilience in their words.]

King Charles III: And let us not forget, my dear Austin, the importance of regular check-ups and staying vigilant in our health, after all, I have Royal Health Care, and you have the VA!

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: Wise words, Your Majesty. After all, a healthy ruler and a healthy defender are key to the stability of any kingdom, but I go to the Walter Reed VIP suite!

[They share a knowing glance, and the audience erupts into laughter and applause.]

[As they exit the stage, a message flashes on the screen: "Remember, gentlemen, laughter is the best medicine... but regular check-ups are pretty important too, at least up to age 70.”

[End scene.]

(ChatGPT: In this speculative skit, King Charles III and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delicately address their shared experience with prostate conditions, using humor to connect with the audience while emphasizing the importance of health awareness and regular check-ups. The tone remains light-hearted throughout, ensuring that the sensitive nature of the topic is handled. Please note that this is a creative interpretation and does not reflect actual statements or intentions of the individuals mentioned and should be attributed to AI.)

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Talking about AI: Don’t miss ASPI’s webinar on how AI will decrease overdiagnosis and overtreatment of prostate cancer

AI, short for artificial intelligence, is in the headlines increasingly. Medical care is expected to receive the biggest benefits in the field, including prostate cancer.

Join Active Surveillance Patients International (ASPI) on Feb. 24 at noon-1:30 p.m. Eastern to hear a panel talk about AI and how it will be affecting our lives as prostate cancer patients in a program entitled “How AI will decrease overdiagnosis and overtreatment of prostate cancer.”

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The panel includes:

—Niels Olson, MD, is a board-certified pathologist and the Chief Medical Officer at the Defense Innovation Unit in Mountain View, California. In this role, he oversees research programs in machine learning/AI for a broad spectrum of anatomic pathology applications, augmented reality microscopy, and artificial intelligence applications in radiology.

—Bruno Barrey, a robotics engineer from suburban Detroit, who was able to avoid Androgen Deprivation Therapy because of an analysis by Artera AI as he transitioned from Active Surveillance to radiation treatment.

—Daniel Spratt, MD, Chair of radiation oncology at University Hospitals in Cleveland, who ordered Artera for Bruno. He says two-thirds of men making the transition to radiation can now avoid ADT and its serious side effects.

 —Tim Showalter, MD, MPH, is Chief Medical Officer at ArteraAI. He is a radiation oncologist and cancer researcher and a clinical professor at the University of Virginia. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently set reimbursement rates for Artera AI.

—Kirk Wojno, MD, a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist who trained at Johns Hopkins, is the Chief Medical Officer of Immunis.AI in the Detroit area. The company is using AI to develop a test to help newly diagnosed patients decide whether to go on active surveillance or active treatment.

Send questions in advance to: mailto:pros8canswers@gmail.com, or just cut and paste pro8canswers@gmail.com

For those who can’t get enough of me, there’s more to be had: I am a podcast run. I did a program for Vox/NPR recently: https://shorturl.at/bpxz1 with Noel King.

And I just appeared on the Stay in the Game podcast from Fans for the Cure. It was a fascinating (sorry) conversation about active surveillance for a large prostate cancer audience from Fans for the Cure, Host Joe Cosgriff impressed me with their extensive research. They did their homework. Give it a try: https://fansforthecure.org/podcast/the-active-surveillor-when-the-best-treatement-is-no-treatment

Another podcast is coming soon…with uros Down Under.

Meanwhile, last year, Prostate Cancer Research Institute honored me with their patient advocacy award, PCRI just released the video:

If you want to hear another voice on active surveillance, check out the modest Bill Manning, another early adopter:  

What the Prince of Wales said about cancer a quarter century ago

By Howard Wolinsky

Back in June 1999, then-Price Charles shared some insights on cancer, a condition he is now being treated.

“People tell me that being diagnosed with a cancer is like suddenly finding yourself in an unknown land, with no map, no compass, no signposts, and no knowledge of the language,” Charles said at the launch of Macmillan Cancer Support’s new campaign, named A Voice for Life “The treatments are complex. Many different health professionals are involved – people can see as many as 50 different doctors. They need help to find their way in this no doubt alien and intimidating world.”

He spoke about the need to “rewrite the rhetoric of cancer” and “destroy the myths and misconceptions which block understanding and paralyse action.’”

(Prince Charles around the time he was speaking about cancer.)

Now King Charles currently is being treated for an unspecified cancer discovered following surgery for an enlarged prostate.

I hope Charles will share his thoughts about being an actual cancer patient.

Only weeks away. What’re you waiting for? Sign up for ZERO support group on AS in March

By Howard Wolinsky

For the past three years, I have run a special Active Surveillance support group for ZERO. Last year, our virtual support meeting drew 60 patients to talk about AS. By far, it was the biggest session of any at the annual ZERO Summit.

Be there or be square: 11 a.m. Eastern on March 12, 2024.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsfuqgrjIoG9AWf7voMhzT_UjdqbQQbQPA

Unsolicited endorsement from a subscriber

First of all, I support you because of your looks. (Thanks, I think. HW.)

I also enjoy your tenacity and ability to write and to write prolifically about a subject that is near to many of us in the Brotherhood. Getting clear answers in this arena comes at a cost of deciphering and reading much to get 36 months of NO SIDE EFFECTS since I have not had treatment.

I was told I needed to have it out or have radiation and was sent Orgovyx without so much as a warning about larger breasts, foggy brain, lethargy and fatigue, bone loss, and the list goes on as you well know.  I fortunately did my homework and chose NO treatment or ADT.  I am so far, so good, with all that I know. 

This approach is in large part with your help over the last 36 months. Thank You Howard for all you do. 

 I believe you shine a light in a fairly dark arena where many of us start out with this disease and are offered poor advice, when we know no better, from those in the GU med field we need to be able to trust. 

The fact is We CANNOT trust many of them.  I learned from you and others, we need to be our own best advocate doing our own research to figure out the truth for ourselves and what approach we wish to pursue.

Don Kramer, subscriber.

Thanks, Don. For the record, I don’t and can’t offer medical advice. I am just a medical journalist who was diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer. But I do share my experiences and interviews with experts. Howard