Scott’s Prostate Cancer Survivor Story
Scott’s journey with prostate cancer highlights the importance of PSA testing and finding out all you can about the latest tests and treatments.
KEEP A POSITIVE OUTLOOK
For men who are first learning that they have prostate cancer, Scott suggests that they accept that it’s a journey. It’s more like a marathon than a sprint. And it’s not easy. Living with the possibility that this might be your “last round at the rodeo” requires a certain mindset.
“Cancer plays mind tricks on you, and you have to confront those mind tricks head-on.”
Whatever he does is working for him. After an initial diagnosis and two recurrences, Scott’s sense of humor and positive outlook remain intact.
While prostate cancer is often referred to as a “slow-growing” cancer, Scott knows that it can sneak up on you pretty fast.
Now coming up on what he refers to as his “Beatles Birthday” (64), he began paying attention to his prostate health in his 50s. He wasn’t shy about encouraging others to do the same.
CHANCE PSA TEST RAISED ALARM
In 2011, he took a friend to a local health fair with free PSA tests and they both got tested. The results were surprising – it had only been a couple of months since he was tested at his annual exam and his number had jumped considerably.
Somewhat alarmed, he followed up with his primary care doctor who sent him to a urologist. During the exam, the urologist found a tumor and a subsequent biopsy confirmed a prostate cancer diagnosis. But he remained optimistic.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK, ASK QUESTIONS
Scott sprang into action – joining a local support group and doing research on his options. Based on his what he learned, and considering the side effects, he elected to be treated with brachytherapy. The treatment worked for a number of years. Then almost a decade later, his PSA started to creep up again. He decided to go on the offensive and started researching new advances.
Scott admits he couldn’t have done it without his wife, Lynn. As a medical professional, Lynn knew what questions to ask during appointments and spoke up for him when he was anxious or nervous.
“I think a lot of men with prostate cancer need to accept that they aren’t alone. People are on the journey with them. Cancer affects not just the patient. It affects everybody around them.”
JOINING A CLINICAL TRIAL OPENED UP OPTIONS
Keith was able to enroll in a clinical trial for a PSMA PET scan which found his cancer had spread outside of his prostate. This led his care team to recommend treatment with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).
His PSA dropped for a few years until starting to rise again. Doctors informed him that a computed tomography scan of his pelvic area and abdomen, as well as a bone scan, showed nothing of concern. Knowing from experience that a rising PSA was nothing to ignore, he rolled up his sleeves and started researching options and working with his doctors to figure out why his PSA was changing.
This time, the “next thing” was a PSMA PET scan with a newer radioactive tracer than the one his doctor used previously. He learned about it in his support group. It had just been approved by the FDA. He called the company directly to find out where he could go to get it and was relieved to find it was being offered at his treatment center. The PSMA PET scan located the cancer and showed that it was confined to the prostate, which was critical in helping Scott’s oncologist decide on a treatment plan.
“TRICKY AREA” TO TARGET
“The prostate is in such a tricky area, it’s in a very bad “neighborhood” and so much can be affected by any treatment. After talking to the radiation oncologist, based on my previous treatment, it became clear that surrounding tissue was at risk. We needed to find another option.” With the input of his care team, he decided on cryosurgery and is hoping it will be successful.
Lynn was his “rock,” providing comfort and advocating for him during his journey. He also relied on a group of people he had never met before who have since become friends.
Accepting that you need help from strangers can be an important part of the cancer journey. One of Scott’s core sources of information has been his prostate cancer support group, a place where he could ask questions and get valuable insights. Along with Lynn, these two main sources of support have played an instrumental role in the questions he asked his medical professionals, the options he sought and where he is now. Still, Scott emphasizes that even when you get the answers from trusted friends, the only opinion that matters is yours. It’s up to you to choose what’s best for you.
