Veterans and Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know – Interview with Mike Crosby
Mike Crosby, Ancan Advisory Board Member, is a retired Navy commander and a prostate cancer survivor. Crosby is the founder of Veterans Prostate Cancer Awareness (VPCa), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating veterans about prostate cancer screening and treatment options.
He is passionate about raising awareness about prostate cancer, particularly among veterans, and has spoken publicly about his experiences and the importance of early detection and treatment. He recently did an interview on KNTV about what veterans need to know about their increased risk of prostate cancer.
If you have a few minutes, click here or watch above.
Is It OK to Take Supplements After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis? by Stuart Jordan
We were recently asked by a newly diagnosed member of our group—who is preparing to begin treatment—about a dietary supplement he has been taking. His question had two parts: Could this supplement help with prostate cancer? And just as important, is it safe to keep taking it now?
It’s a fair question, and a very common one. Many supplements are marketed as supportive of prostate health, metabolism, or weight management, and it’s easy to assume they might be helpful during cancer treatment.
In my day job as publisher of the Wellness Letter, we often see how supplement claims outpace the science behind them. That’s why we rely on evidence-based research as the final word when exploring questions like these.
When we look closely at the research, the picture is clearer than the marketing suggests. So far, no dietary supplement has been shown in solid human studies to prevent, treat, or slow the progression of prostate cancer once diagnosed. Some supplements that once sounded promising haven’t held up in careful trials. Others affect lab markers, such as PSA, without improving outcomes that truly matter. In fact, some supplements—like high-dose vitamin E or selenium—have actually shown potential harm in trials.
Safety is just as important. Supplements and over-the-counter products can interact with medications, affect lab results, or interfere with how treatments work. This matters whether a man is on active surveillance, receiving hormone therapy, undergoing radiation therapy, or after treatment. Even products that seem harmless can complicate care if the medical team isn’t aware of them.
That’s why it’s essential to tell your doctors about every supplement and over-the-counter product you’re taking, not just prescriptions.
Instead of relying on supplements, focusing on overall health—through diet, physical activity, weight management, and addressing true deficiencies—offers a safer, better-supported path, especially when coordinated closely with your medical team.
DISCLAIMER: AnCan does not endorse Superpower or any of its products. All patients should discuss with their healthcare provider before using any of their products or any of the tests or advice in the article.
In another of the seemingly endless organizations offering premium health services, Superpower, founded in 2023, provides a fairly straightforward overview of the myriad tests and biomarkers available to Prostate Cancer patients (A Clear Guide to PCa Biomarkers). Seasoned AnCaners may find little new in here, especially those that attend or review many of the recent seminars/webcasts, but newcomers or those needing a refresher may find it helpful for further research or equipping you to be your own best advocate. The article hits many of the main tests with which we are all familiar, as well as some of the urine biomarkers (PCA3, Select MDx, ExoDX), without specifically endorsing any of them. It does touch on MRIs, but only multi-parametric, not bi-parametric MRIs, nor does it get into the trans-rectal versus trans-perineal debate. Be forewarned, there is information with which not everyone will agree (shocking, I know), but it is still a useful, albeit somewhat rudimentary tool.
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, December 10th, 2025
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, and Blue Earth Diagnostics.
Active Surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer involves unique challenges compared to other treatments. This online support group is designed for men and their caregivers who are currently on or considering AS. We hold four meetings monthly, recording only the second and fourth sessions. Our discussions cover a wide range of topics, including anxiety management, biopsy experiences, and the decision-making process around continuing or discontinuing AS. Newcomers are given priority to share their experiences, so we encourage you to join us.
You can find out more about our 12 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/. Sign up to receive a weekly Reminder/Newsletter for this Group or others at https://ancan.org/contact-us/.
Chat Log:
Hugh -Houston
2nd Opinions for Biopsies: -Jonathan Epstein, MD https://advanceduropathology.com -Ming Zhou, MD, PHD Now at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. If you have questions for him, please contact him directly at Email: Ming.zhou@mountsinai.org) -John Hopkins Pathology https://pathology.jhu.edu/patient-care/second-opinions
Derek
👍
Eric- Atlanta
PROMISE/COLOR Genetic Study w/ANCAN affiliate link: https://www.prostatecancerpromise.org/?utm_campaign=ANCAN&utm_medium=link&utm_source=Webinar
Eric- Atlanta
Men Speaking Freely: https://ancan.org/series/men-speaking-freely/
Eric- Atlanta
Food & Nutrition: https://ancan.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Prostate-Ca-AS_Nov-2020.pdf
Eric- Atlanta
2nd Opinions for MRIs: Botimage AI for MRIs: https://botimageai.com/prostatid/ ~$250, can also be used for biopsy targeting guidance -Second opinion of MRI from Johns Hopkins Images and Reports for Providers | Johns Hopkins Radiology (hopkinsmedicine.org) Email: eradiologycenter@jhmi.edu Phone: 443-287-7378 Fax: 443-769-1210 NIH 2nd Opinion MRI (no fees): Choyke, Peter (NIH/NCI) Radiologist pchoyke@mail.nih.gov -Accolade Radiology NY, PA https://accoladeradiology.com/mritap.html Radiology Check (Switzerland) https://radiologycheck.com/en
AnCan Bill
Got to drop gentlemen. Thanks for helping out Martin (and everyone else). Take care.
Martin Uthe
thank you. Bill!
Eric- Atlanta
Thank you Bill
AnCan – rick
Great advice, Dan G
Martin Uthe
Hi guys- have to run. Thank you so much for your time and support. Talk to you on Friday, Howard.
Howard Wolinsky
Dr. Eggener UCLA
Howard Wolinsky
FYI on perineural invasion–sounds scary–https://howardwolinsky.substack.com/p/part-ii-the-perineural-invaders?utm_source=publication-search
Joel _ Manassas, VA
Much appreciate all the helpful discussion. Best to all
Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Video Chat, November 26th, 2025
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Bayer, Novartis, Johnson and Johnson, Myriad Genetics, Telix, and Blue Earth Diagnostics.
Active Surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer involves unique challenges compared to other treatments. This online support group is designed for men and their caregivers who are currently on or considering AS. We hold four meetings monthly, recording only the second and fourth sessions. Our discussions cover a wide range of topics, including anxiety management, biopsy experiences, and the decision-making process around continuing or discontinuing AS. Newcomers are given priority to share their experiences, so we encourage you to join us.
Chris L. (Windsor, CA)
Gut microbiome & phytochemical rich diet: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vR0QL3oR2k
Chris L. (Windsor, CA)
Asco highlights: https://www.urotoday.com/conference-highlights/asco-gu-2025/asco-gu-2025-prostate-cancer/158203-asco-gu-2025-gut-health-and-prostate-cancer-the-influence-of-a-specific-phytochemical-rich-food-capsule-plus-or-minus-a-probiotic-prebiotic-blend-on-symptoms-and-progression-a-randomised-double-blind-placebo-controlled-trial.html
Eric- Atlanta
https://howardwolinsky.substack.com/p/breaking-transperineal-biopsies-find?utm_source=publication-search
Bill Harris (Los Angeles)
Hi Rick. Hope all is well
Eric- Atlanta
Seminar link and info: https://aspatients.org/event/transperineal-vs-transrectal-biopsy-2025/
Eric- Atlanta
“Key Clinical Trials Driving the Debate Recent trials have brought new insights: Dr. Jim Hu (PREVENT, 2024): Zero infections with TP vs 1.4% with TR, suggesting a reduced risk of sepsis. Dr. Alastair Lamb and Dr. Richard Bryant (TRANSLATE, 2025): TP detected 5–6% more clinically significant cancers (Grade Group ≥ 2) and often required no antibiotics. Dr. Badar Mian (PRoBE-PC, 2024): Both methods proved safe and effective, giving patients more choice. Together, these studies have reshaped how experts think about prostate biopsy safety.”
Ray E Santa Monica Ca
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/262e8d77-95e5-4fef-aa07-9b7a313c25f1
Ray E Santa Monica Ca
Above is a run down on TP vs Transrectal biopsy
Bill (VA)
Walter Reed now performing TP
AnCan – rick
AnCan Prostate Cancer Debate Aug 2022 Dr. George vs Dr. Kaye https://ancan.org/webinar-prostate-cancer-biopsies-the-great-debate/
Bill Harris (Los Angeles)
Bill Harris wmharris@gmail.com
Bill Harris (Los Angeles)
(new inherited mutation group
