We have all heard people say, “Oh yeah, Jim has prostate cancer but it won’t kill him. He will die from something else.”
After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer among American men. (American Cancer Society) While it is accurate to say that not many men die of prostate cancer alone, many die of cancer that starts in the prostate and them spreads to other organs or to the bones.
For decades, I have been keenly aware of how deadly cancer is mainly because my sweet Mom died of “female cancer” in her 40’s. Yet I was in denial because there was no cancer on my father’s side of the family and men usually tend to have prostate cancer if their dad or uncles had prostate cancer. I thought I was immune because neither my dad, my paternal grandfather, nor any of the other males in my family had prostate cancer to my knowledge.
I have an excellent “family doctor.” He insists that I have an annual physical with blood work. A few years ago my PSA started slowly creeping up. [The PSA is one of the numbers in a man’s blood work. It stands for Prostate Specific Antigen and is an indicator of prostate cancer.] My doctor suggested I consult with an urologist. The urologist recommended an MRI with contrast. In layman’s terms, the prostate MRI is a series of pictures which reveal abnormalities with the prostate (which is an almond sized organ through which the urethra passes). My prostate MRI with contrast, just two years ago, was perfect. No abnormalities.
At my next two annual physicals, my PSA continued to rise, but not at an alarming rate. However, the second follow up PSA was 9.6 and my family doctor wanted another MRI with contrast. Much to my surprise, the second MRI showed there were two lesions on my prostate that had formed in just 24 months! My urologist told me I needed needle biopsies done of my prostate to see if either lesion was cancerous. I was stunned when the results showed I had prostate cancer.
Cindy and I began researching the available treatments. After much research, several doctor visits, and many prayers, I wanted to see if I was a candidate for the HIFU treatment (high intensity focused ultrasound). I will not attempt to describe how HIFU works (plenty is available about it online).
I underwent the HIFU procedure recently and I am now cancer free. However, if I had delayed treatment, I would have passed the point of being a candidate for HIFU. I would have also risked the cancer spreading to other organs or to the bones.
PLEASE NOTE: I am not advocating one type of prostate cancer treatment over another. What I am determined to do is spread the word about the importance of early detection!
All men, and especially those 50 and older, need to have an annual physical that includes a complete blood profile. We men tend to resist going to the doctor and especially having physicals. But I am cancer free as I write this article, only because of early detection.
Men, please pay careful attention to your PSA, especially once you reach 50. Your family depends on you to guard your health. Prostate cancer is a silent killer!
