A Personal Message to Raise Awareness About Prostate Cancer

I have talked about the importance of getting cancer screenings many times, especially for breast cancer and colorectal cancer. As we know, early detection is critical, as it is linked to better outcomes. But a type of cancer that’s less talked about is prostate cancer. If you saw a light blue ribbon, would you understand what it symbolized as readily as you would the pink ribbon?

The light blue ribbon signifies prostate cancer awareness, and you may see it more in the month of September because this is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

One fact we know about men’s health is that, unfortunately, men on average are slower to go seek care overall, whether that’s scheduling a yearly wellness exam or ensuring that they stay on top of their regular cancer screenings. There are many possible reasons that we lag behind in this area, including that our wives or partners are often the ones to manage household healthcare — and if they don’t insist we get a checkup, it won’t happen. Most of us have also been raised in a “tough it out” type of culture, where unless we’re in an absolute health crisis and in need of immediate care, such as a heart attack, we just seem to coast along.

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, and this year alone, it’s estimated that more than 313,000 new cases will be diagnosed in men.

Not too long ago, I was surprised to learn that I was one of them. To any that know me, I am a very healthy person. I am an avid runner and have always tried to keep healthy habits. In fact, I have served in healthcare for 40 years and have never been a patient.

The last few years, I have had a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) that has creeped up each year. Just a few months ago, and I should add at the insistence of my wife, I had the test repeated. It increased again. We made an appointment with a urologist, again much to my wife’s insistence. This started my journey as he felt a “bulge” on my prostate. I experienced MRIs, biopsies, and a PET/CT which revealed I had prostate cancer. In July, I proceeded with a robot assisted prostatectomy. I cannot express how relieved I was to receive a “great” report from the surgeon and a pathology report which the surgeon told me could not have been better. Essentially, I am now cancer free. I also will share without detail, that I have not experienced any of the complications men fear most from prostate surgery. I am still on my journey to recovery and look forward to the day I can resume my active lifestyle, but I know this is to come.

If you’re a man at average risk for prostate cancer, it’s not advised that you get a prostate exam until you’re 50, but if you have a family history of prostate cancer or you are Black (since Black men are at higher risk), screening should begin at age 45. Your provider generally performs a rectal exam, where they can feel the surface and edges of your prostate gland to detect any abnormalities. They also perform a PSA blood test, which measures the prostate-specific antigen (a protein your prostate gland produces) level in your blood. If it’s high, more testing will be done.

My experience has prompted me to encourage male readers to be sure to schedule their prostate checks and discuss their risk with their primary care providers. I also advise that you listen to your wives or partners like I did, when they remind you to take care of yourself in this way.

This is the message I hope you hear. I was fortunate as my prostate cancer was caught before it spread and I have every reason to believe I will resume a normal life. This is only because I acted early enough. (My wife would tell you it wasn’t soon enough.) Get your screening tests as recommended and take action when there is a finding of concern. It could save your life.

I cannot emphasize enough how important preventive care is — this means making sure to get your annual physical with your primary care provider, who you should build a good relationship with over the years. If you do this, they are better able to notice differences from year to year, and you can feel comfortable enough to have open conversations with them about any symptoms you may be experiencing.

I also want to remind readers to schedule all of your cancer screenings, whether that’s your mammogram, colonoscopy, skin cancer check, or another test. By doing this, you significantly lower your risk of being diagnosed with an advanced cancer. This means you won’t have to endure taxing treatment and it boosts your odds for survival. Each of these screenings aren’t time-consuming and are well worth the peace of mind they deliver.

Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Neal is a proven leader with more than 30 years of progressive healthcare experience. Prior to his role at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, he served as Chief Executive Officer of both Berwick Hospital Center in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and Greenbriar Valley Medical Center, Ronceverte, West Virginia, which are each part of Community Health Systems (CHS). Tom has an MBA from the University of Louisville, MHA from the California College of Health Sciences, BSN from Regents College of New York and an ADN from Jefferson Community College.