CNN Breaking: Colin Powell has prostate cancer...

[Cooley Hurd]

...and is undergoing surgery for it today...

Reuters link

<snip>
Secretary of State Powell Has Prostate Surgery
Mon December 15, 2003 09:17 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell was undergoing surgery for prostate cancer on Monday morning, the State Department said.

"Secretary Powell is undergoing surgery this morning for prostate cancer," the State Department said in a statement.
</snip>

UPDATE: CNN saying he was diagnosed in Sept, but the situation changed so he was rushed into surgery today...

Hoping for a speedy recovery - we need him to testify against the PNACkers when they're prosecuted for crimes against humanity. Since he became complicit with that group after his shameful performance at the UN before the war, he could be offered immunity in exchange for his testimony. He must know a lot about the lies, since he exclaimed, "this is bullshit" before his mysterious flip-flop...

[Renew Deal]

1. I hope he is OK.

I am only 27 so I thankfully have never had a problem. I can only think of guys like Joe Torre and Rudy Guiliani who had it. They both had trouble with it. Rudy thought it was over for him. This is really a problem for the over 40 crowd.

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Don't forget Frank Zappa...

That was a loss, when Frank succumbed to it... :(

[La_Serpiente]

4. And John Kerry

well, he got his prostate removed luckily.

[Drifter]

61. Indeed ....

Dickies such an Asshole

Cheers
Drifter

[bicentennial_baby]

And John Kerry

of course

[aquart]

17. A friend of mine did some research.

EVERY man, if you live long enough, gets it.

That is what she told me. (Her boss got it, so she went to the libraries and read her brains out.)

[ProfessorGAC]

22. The Data Inidicates That To Be True. . .

. . .if one is careful, and willing to extrapolate. (Usually dangerous in statistics, but typical in life span and predictive medical stats. If you don't extrapolate this type of data, there becomes little point to collecting it. So, sacrifices have to be made and purism has to be avoided.)

The natural change in size and function of that bodily organ, and the indirect effects of metabolic process and the kidney/bladder system function, all seem to result in an eventual mutagenicity of the prostate.

For some men, they might have to live to be 500 years old, but the data does suggest that eventually, almost all prostate will mutate to a cancerous state.
The Professor

[Lisa0825]

27. I worked in medical research for 10 years, and most of that time

I worked on prostate cancer research, at the molecular biology level.

It is true that when men over age 80 who died of any other cause are autopsied, the vast majority have what is called "incidental" prostate cancer. So, many men who are diagnosed with it never need treatment, and are put on "watchful waiting" to see if the cancer grows, or stays dormant.

However, there are some men who develop the cancer much earlier and/or a much more aggressive strain, and that does kill, and can be difficult to stop. One of the patients whose cells I grew long after his death, died at age 45, leaving behind a wife and 4 children.

The issue that I worked on with my boss was how to differentiate between the types of prostate cancer, so we could know when aggressive treatment is necessary (or early treatment without watchful waiting). We looked for presence or absence of certain genes (tumor markers) for the most part.

The thing is, that treatment is really difficult. Too many men end up impotent and/or incontinent, so treating all men, even though some may never get sick from the cells lying in wait, is not the best option. However, you tell a man he has cancer, and then tell him you don't want to treat it, and how is he supposed to feel? Like he has a ticking time bomb inside of him!!!

PSA tests have been recently shown not to be as accurate as once believed, so better tests must be developed, and this would ideally include tests that can help determine is a man has a growing or latent cancer.

Prostate cancer researchers have taken a cue from breast cancer researchers, and have developed a great network for fundraising and raising awareness. This is resulting in many more men being diagnosed early, and giving them better chances for survival. In addition, many new treatments and surgical strategies are constantly being tried. Colin Powell's chances are good. I hope the newest surgical techniques will leave him with a good quality of life post-op. I also hope that he'll go on to be a spokesman for the cause, especially as an African American, since they are particularly susceptible to aggressive prostate cancer, and less likely to have good health care.

[ProfessorGAC]

34. Thanks For The Input. We Concur

I have colleagues who regularly peer review medical research statistics prior to publication of findings.

I've heard the same things you mentioned, from them, including the iatotropic nature of most of the treatments, at least for today.

I also concur with your assessment for Powell's potential to bring some good out of this medical tragedy.

Thanks for chiming in.
The Professor

[Sushi_lover]

46. I too hope he becomes a spokesman for that cause

He has a lot of karma to reverse from his time as spokesman for BFEE.

Plus his investigation of the massacres in Vietnam "U.S. troop relations with Vietnamese citizens are excellent."

[treepig]

41. in fact, i'd go so far as to say

that EVERY body, who doesn't die from something else first, will die from prostate cancer. scary!

[BuddhaGirl]

47. That is true,

when my father was diagnosed, that is what his doctor told him.

A good way to promote good prostate health is to take saw palmetto, which you can get it in any natural foods store. Studies have shown that it helps prevent prostate cancer.

[amazona]

63. I've heard the same

...and it seems to be true based on what my older friends have told me. That said, Powell seems a bit young.

[Occulus]

55. Know what?

Recent medical studies suggest that frequent masturbation reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

I guess we men know wherre Achilles was really held when he was dipped in the river, no? :silly:

[sendero]

56. I think...

... a more concise description would be "frequent ejaculation". I don't think there is any advantage to a masturbatory release over a normal sexual encounter.

[IndianaGreen]

3. I will resist any temptation to refer to Colin's colon

Karma is powerful indeed!

[UpInArms]

6. somehow the song that went through

my head was

instant karma's gonna get you -

better watch out brother

pretty soon you're gonna be ....

Wonder if this will make him face mortality in a more rational manner?

[greyl]

8. You're implying that people with health problems deserve them?

good grief.

[coralrf]

9. Amen...

The man has cancer..let it be.

[IndianaGreen]

11. Evil people with health problems

deserve what they get!

[bicentennial_baby]

13. Jeebus Christ

That ain't right...no way, no how.

[OBrien]

15. are you saying my husband is evil too??

and deserves is prostate cancer? You sound a bit sick and evil

[Frederic Bastiat]

18. Nah its just schandenfreude

[Snivi Yllom]

21. that's just not cool

Cancer is not something to wish on anyone.

[IndianaGreen]

25. I will dance on Powell's grave

as I would on all of the regime's henchmen.

How many innocent people did they get killed? Or do their lives don't count?

No one wished anything on Powell. He got what he got, which is nothing compared to the Eternal Damnation that he and his pals richly deserve.

Have you forgotten Powell's lies at the UN?

[colorado_ufo]

38. We have to separate emotions from facts.

Even children get cancer. This won't have significance for anyone not of the Christian faith, but Jesus said that, "God makes his sun to shine and his rain to fall on the just and the unjust." Because of this, our human experience is much more complex and holds a manyfold potential for growth and learning, as this makes us interact with one another.

In other words, if only those who do evil have evil befall them, who would give a shit?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

48. No!!! GOD gave Powell cancer...

...so BOYKIN could get the post, and the Holy Republican Administration could become truly 100% holy!!! </sarcasm>

[Lurking Dem]

64. You did this same crap

when Linda Tripp got ill. It was putrid then and it is putrid now.

NOBODY deserves the horror of cancer. NOBODY. Don't you think criminals should not get the death penalty? Yet you think THIS kind of attitude is okey dokey?

[nolabels]

43. You mis-underestimated the reasoning

The idea is not wishing suffering of your antagonist, and only wishing or hoping for them to see them their own humanity (at far ends of the spectrum that can be difficult, sometimes)

[Isere]

12. Huh?

Think about what you said and then explain what "karma" brought down Paul Wellstone's plane? Did the same "karma" give John Kerry his prostate cancer?

Anyone who thinks that cancer is caused by the patient ought to read the very seminal work by Susan Sontag, "Illness as Metaphor." And, by the way, she has breast cancer.

Karma indeed!

[Cooley Hurd]

26. That's okay - the negative replies ensure that we'll be featured...

...on Limbaugh's show today.

[OBrien]

5. my husband is 46 and was diagnosed with it...

2 weeks ago. We caught it very early and I pleed with all men over 40 to get a PSA test.

[JI7]

31. good for you guys

for catching it early.i hope he gets well quick. and it is something that can be easily cured if caught early enough.

[Kolesar]

33. Ok, I'll do it!

Best wishes for your husband.

[OBrien]

35. thanks

he'll have his surgery next month

[LizW]

39. Not to be nosy, but

was your husband diagnosed after a regular physical or did he have symptoms? I ask because my husband is 47 and NEVER gets a physical. He's very healthy, but healthy men get prostate cancer too. I worry about this kind of stuff.

Thank goodness your husband got a test and discovered his cancer early. I wish him a speedy recovery.

[LizW]

40. Best wishes for a quick and complete recovery

for Mr. Powell.

Oops, posted this in the wrong place. Meant to reply to the original message.

[OBrien]

42. A health fair at work

they gave all the men a PSA test. it was really very lucky for us to have gone to it. We probably wouldn't have bothered with a test for a few years. He had no symptoms whatsoever.

[LizW]

44. Wow.

I've GOT to make my husband go for this test.

[Heddi]

53. Yes, please do

however, many Dr's won't do the DRE (digital rectal exam) or the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test unless the man is showing signs of Prostate cancer, or unless someone in his family has/had prostate Ca.

If his Dr won't do it, take him to Planned Parenthood. They will do a test for free, or very low charge.

Many doctors, because of HMO's and PCP's, feel that there's no reason to do preventative screening unless there is a problem associated with Prostate Ca. Many health insurance plans won't cover the DRE & PSA tests for 'preventative' reasons.....Also, if they DO find that your husband has Prostate Ca, they won't necessarily do anything about it unless it's aggressive or metastasizes to another location.

I find this alarming, but again, when we're nothing but numbers and profits, what do you expect?

Be firm and a bit demanding with your Doctor about this test. TELL HIM that if he doesn't do the test, that you will find another doctor who will.....and get it done.

Good luck!

[Pastiche423]

50. I nursed my dad through it

a few years ago. He had a high PSA, chose radiation and is 100% cancer free now.

A friend had it a few years before and had the rice (radiation) method, which is the easiest and best. He, too, is free of cancer.

Sending healing thoughts to your husband!

[OBrien]

51. any side effects

from the radiation? We do wonder about radiation as an option. The way we feel he'd rather get the damn thing taken out while we have good health insurance. Also, we live in Houston which has a world class cancer treatment center

[slackmaster]

66. You're scaring me, and thanks for the suggestion

I'm 45 and haven't had a PSA yet. There is no history of prostate cancer in my family.

[qanda]

7. Praying for his health and recovery

eom

[Skittles]

10. DAMMIT ALL YOU GUYS

GET THAT DAMN TEST.

[HereSince1628]

23. well, dammit all you guys with health care benefits and jobs...

The rest...just suck it up. The world will thank us for providing the out-group comparison that will allow statistical analysis of epidemiological surveys that to show the benefits of regular, preventive health care.

[Lisa0825]

30. Most major cities have free prostate cancer screenings for the public

once or twice a year. Call the local hospitals' urology department for information.

[BiggJawn]

37. I don't think my health plan covers it.

Don't remember the last time the doctor "got friendly" and I've never had a PSA...Guess his drug dealer doesn't have prostate medicine or else that doctor'd been fisting me everytime I went in...

[AntiCoup2K4]

14. Yeah, he forged that whole presentation to the UN, but....

...he's still probably the closest thing to a human being that you'll find among the Bush Criminal Empire.

And believe it or not, I saw this first on another board with the headline "Colin Powell has colon cancer".

Hope he comes through this OK. And who knows, maybe the whole thing could lead him to some kind of spiritual epiphany and he'll start working against the PNAC'ers :shrug:

[Cooley Hurd]

19. That would be a bit more ironic...

...if he indeed had colon cancer.

They just said on CNN that he was diagnosed in late September, yet was "rushed" into surgery today. What does that tell us? :shrug:

[lebkuchen]

16. When was it first diagnosed? Yesterday?

How many heart by-passes has Cheney had since 2001 that we don't know about?

[Rainbowreflect]

20. I am so sorry to hear this.

I hope he is ok.

[koopie57]

24. This is sad news

but he is fortunate to have excellent health care coverage and can be comforted by the fact he is getting the best care possible. I wish everyone could have that peace of mind.

[GainesT1958]

28. I'll pray for a speedy, FULL recovery for him...

Besides just needing to do that, period, we NEED him to be healthy to counter the hubris of all those Neo-Cons as much as possible...especially now!:scared:

B-)

[chelaque liberal]

29. Highly curable when treated early

Certainly wouldn't wish this on anyone but it is not as dire as some people make it out to be.

As a fellow human being, I hope he does well.

[buddhamama]

32. Well Wishes for Mr. Powell

may he be well and have a speedy recovery.

[Jen72]

36. A friend of mine is dying of Prostate Cancer...

all the best to Powell.

[grannylib]

45. My dad's prostate cancer has spread to his bones...I will be praying for

Powell; it's not a good thing, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, seeing how my dad is doing...
And it would be good if he could help bring down PNAC...what an evil bunch.

[sistersofmercy]

49. My warmest wishes to Secretary Powell may have a speedy recover

and have a long life to live. For all of you wishing him death by cancer IMO you should be ashamed, it's a horrible way to die, my Grandfather died from lung cancer and my Father died from leukemia, the suffering indured by those stricken with such a disease is unfathomable and should not be wished upon any human being.

[realFedUp]

52. probably from all that bending over...

ok, I find humor in everything...don't flame
me. Get well soon Colin Bowel.

[candy331]

54. Surely he gets annual checkups

doesn't he? I wonder how long has this been known. I can see health reasons given for his out next term. Very disgusting lying robot of a man but hope the best for him healthwise.

[reknewcomer]

58. That's not funny

Please don't convince any Dem hopefuls to use that joke.

[thebigidea]

69. yeah, Kucinich was going to use that to break the ice

don't be silly.

[Blitz]

57. Best wishes to Secretary Powell

and his family for a speedy and complete recovery.

[Zhade]

59. Karma's a bitch, "Colin".

Universe trying to tell you something, maybe? Not that you'll listen.

[DemVet]

62. There is no such thing as "karma"

:toast:

[Judi Lynn]

60. Article on Powell's surgery

Dec 15, 1:31 PM EST

Powell Undergoes Prostate Cancer Surgery

Schweid reports the State Department kept word of the surgery secret until just before the operation. (Audio)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell underwent surgery for prostate cancer Monday at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the State Department said.

"I just spoke to the secretary's doctor a few minutes ago. I'm happy to report that he's out of surgery, that everything went fine," said department spokesman Richard Boucher.

Boucher said the surgery lasted about two hours and that the secretary's prostate was removed.

"The doctors say he had a localized prostate cancer," Boucher said at a department briefing. "They say he did extremely well. There are no complications and a full recovery is expected."

Powell was expected to be hospitalized for several days, then go home to recuperate. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage will be in charge in his absence.
(snip/...)

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/POWELL_SURGERY?SITE=FLPAP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Armitage

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The man who will be in charge of the State Department temporarily, Richard Armitage:

(snip) FTW - On March 23, after being recommended in a unanimous 18-0 vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, former Vietnam-era covert operative and Contra-era figure Richard Armitage was confirmed as Deputy Secretary of State in a voice vote on the Senate Floor. The unchallenged confirmation of a figure who had previously been investigated by President Reagan's Commission on Organized Crime (1984) for alleged links to gambling and prostitution was totally ignored by the major American media. Armitage has already begun work at the State Department and is deeply involved in negotiations over a US spy plane recently captured by the Chinese government.

The total lack of opposition to Armitage's appointment indicates an apparent inability of the US Congress to muster any critical examination of appointments or policy at a time when an imperiled US economy and an almost combative Bush Administration is dealing with mounting economic and political challenges around the globe.

Armitage, who was denied a 1989 appointment as Assistant Secretary of State because of links to Iran-Contra and other scandals, served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Reagan years. U.S. Government stipulations in the Oliver North trial specifically named Armitage as one of the DoD officials responsible for illegal transfers of weapons to Iran and the Contras. But Armitage's dirty past goes much deeper.

A Vietnam veteran and graduate of Annapolis, Armitage's roots have been thoroughly intertwined with the likes of CIA veteran Ted Shackley, Richard Secord, Heine Aderholt, Elliot Abrams, Dewey Clarridge, Edwin Wilson and Tom Clines. All of these men have been directly linked to CIA covert operations, the drug trade, the abandonment of U.S. prisoners of War after Vietnam and/or Iran-Contra. Armitage has also been routinely discussed in FTW as a Bush-era covert functionary who has been linked to covert operations, drug smuggling and the expansion of organized crime operations in Russia, Central Asia and the Far East. (snip/...)

http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/politics/armitage_SS.html

[joshcryer]

65. I'm proud of you guys.

I really am. Not much flaming here, just as it should be.

And as for Colin, good luck dude. Hope you recover well.

[bluestateguy]

67. I hope for his full recovery

I really do. I also hope for a National Health Care program that will allow all Americans to get the screening that they need to avoid this awful disease. I lost an uncle to it 2 years ago.

[ikojo]

68. I hope they caught it early enough.

Cancer is horrible.

It doesn't sound good if they say the situation changed since September.

Good luck and speedy recovery to Mr. Powell.