I remember the day I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. My first thought was, Am I going to die?
In 2005, I was inspired to go and get a routine checkup with my general practitioner following a conversation with my brother-in-law who had a diagnosis of bowel cancer. One of my tests showed an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. I had no idea what that meant until I was referred to a urologist, who performed a digital rectal examination. I was then referred for a biopsy, which confirmed that I had prostate cancer, with a Gleason score of 9 (a number that helps doctors determine the prognosis and plan treatment for prostate cancer).i
This was the last thing I expected to find out, and it was such a shock to my system. I kept telling my wife, Jacqueline, that I was unaware of having any symptoms. As a truck driver from Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland, I had always been committed to providing for my family, but now I wondered: Would I be able to continue working? How much time did I have left? What should I do next?
Taking Action in the Face of Cancer
I was nearly paralyzed with fear, but Jacqueline was my rock. She stood by me for every doctor’s appointment, consultation and procedure. After my diagnosis, we had to quickly become experts in navigating treatment options and advocating for the right path forward.
“Knowledge is power,” Jacqueline would say to me in those dark days. “If you know what’s going to happen—what’s coming down the line—and you know that there may be solutions, that’s a completely different perspective than the one that is fear.”
After the consultation with my urologist, I opted for a radical prostatectomy—a surgery designed to remove the cancerii—as I felt that this was the best choice for me. My situation isn’t the same for everyone though—other treatment options are available depending on the grade and stage of prostate cancer.iii
Recovery wasn’t easy.
The surgery took a toll, disrupting my day-to-day life. I experienced erectile dysfunction, incontinence and constant exhaustion. I was unable to return to work for nearly a year, and during this time, I felt a sense of hopelessness.
But I was one of the lucky ones. Six weeks after the procedure, my urologist told me they had successfully removed the cancer.
“The day we found out the surgery was successful was one of the best moments of my life,” Jacqueline said. “I can’t describe the relief and the happiness.”
Advocating for Change
My story is just one of many. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men globally, with more than 1.4 million new cases diagnosed in 2022iv; in the United States, it is the most common cancer among men.v This disease can have a devastating and profound impact on an individual’s physical, mental and sexual healthvi—something I experienced firsthand. It can also vary for people. For instance, some men may have a more advanced stage of the disease at diagnosis, or their cancer may spread or progress over time.i
Many men are unfamiliar with the risk factors of prostate cancer, such as family history, age, and race.vii They are also unaware that proactive screening may help identify prostate cancer in earlier stages.i For the next generation of partners, sons, fathers and brothers, changes are required so that not only men, but the global population are more educated when it comes to talking about prostate cancer.
I always emphasize to people: Get screened no matter what. You are getting screened to confirm you do not have prostate cancer—not that you have it. It can be the difference between life or death. I’m grateful to be stable and living a relatively normal life. l have a PSA test once a year to stay on top of any changes, as well as regular check-ins with my care team.
Unfortunately, stigma can also make it difficult for men to talk about risk factors or screening with their doctors—or each other—which is why open conversations are so important.viii To reduce the stigmas surrounding men’s health and get necessary information out there, it is important that men talk to each other and have open conversations about their health.
After being diagnosed, I felt alone, even with Jacqueline by my side. I realized that I needed more support and found it by talking to others. Our experience inspired us to start a support group that began at our kitchen table and has grown into East Galway & Midlands Cancer Support Centre. Jacqueline and I now collaborate with like-minded people to create a safe space for men to discuss their experiences and support each other. In our center, we provide a wide range of support for people, from transport to treatment, counseling, exercise programs, information talks to spread awareness about different cancers and advocating for those that require it.
If there is one thing I have learned, it’s that hope is always present after a prostate cancer diagnosis. Every day, researchers are uncovering new insights about the disease, and there are numerous treatment options tailored to an individual’s specific needs. To access resources for prostate cancer and other forms of cancer, visit ThisIsLivingWithCancer.com.
This article has been provided by Pfizer and edited by Newsweek staff. It is a paid partnership with Pfizer.
To reach the editor of this article, please email partnership.content@newsweek.com.
References:
i American Cancer Society. Tests to Diagnose and Stage Prostate Cancer. Accessed August 2024.
ii American Cancer Society. Surgery for Prostate Cancer. Accessed August 2024.
iii American Cancer Society. Initial Treatment of Prostate Cancer, by Stage and Risk Group. Accessed August 2024.
iv Bray F, Laversanne M, Sung H, et al. Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2024;74(3):229-263. Published 2024 April 4. doi:10.3322/caac.21834
v American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. Accessed August 2024.
vi Briggs LG, Sentana-Lledo D, Lage DE, Trinh QD, Morgans AK. Optimal assessment of quality of life for patients with prostate cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2022 Dec 10;14:17588359221141306. doi: 10.1177/17588359221141306. PMID: 36531831; PMCID: PMC9747880.
vii World Cancer Research Fund International. Prostate Cancer. Accessed June 2024.
viii Larkin D, Birtle AJ, Bradley L, et al. A systematic review of disease related stigmatization in patients living with prostate cancer. PLoS One. 2022;17(2):e0261557. Published 2022 Feb 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0261557
