I'm not a doctor – I'm a prostate cancer patient sharing my experience. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.
The Wake-Up Call
Here is what I learned the hard way: you need to know your PSA number. More importantly, you need to track any increases from one test to the next, even if you're told it's "normal."
The Statistics That Every Man Should Know
One out of eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
For Black men, that statistic jumps to one out of four
If you have prostate cancer on your paternal line (grandfather, father, uncle, or brother), you have two and a half times greater risk of developing prostate cancer. You also have an increased risk of getting prostate cancer between ages 40-45. If your mother or sister had breast cancer before age 60, you have increased risk for prostate cancer. If you have the BRCA gene, you have an increased risk for prostate cancer.
In the United States, 275,000 to 315,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year
We're losing about 35,000 men per year to prostate cancer deaths
These aren't just numbers – they represent fathers, husbands, brothers, and friends whose lives could have been saved through early detection.
My Journey: From Missed Signs to Metastatic Disease
The First Warning Signs I Ignored
When I first noticed changes, I did what most men do – I ignored them. I didn't understand that the prostate, a walnut-sized gland that's part of the male reproductive system, could cause such significant problems when things go wrong.
My PSA levels started showing increases, but because they were still within the "normal" range, I wasn't concerned. This was my first mistake. Any increase in PSA levels should be a red flag, even if the numbers are considered normal for your age.
“Any increase in PSA levels should be a red flag, even if the numbers are considered normal for your age”
Joe Dooley
The Delayed Diagnosis That Changed Everything
When my PSA finally triggered concern, I was scheduled for a biopsy. My biopsy lead to the diagnosis of Gleason 6 Prostate Cancer which is considered to be low risk slow growing cancer. I was offered “Active Surveillance” which meant I would have a second biopsy in six months to check on any progression of the disease. But here's where the healthcare system failed me – and where I failed myself. The second biopsy was delayed and rescheduled.. What should have been a six-month follow-up stretched to 8 months.
When the biopsy finally happened in August 2020, the results showed Gleason 7 Prostate Cancer, intermediate risk cancer. The surgeon recommended immediate prostatectomy, but there was another 60-day wait was required due to normal inflammation from the biopsy which needed to subside before a prostatectomy could be performed.
In hindsight, Active Surveillance was wrong for me
,After my first biopsy which revealed Gleason 6 prostate cancer I was offered "active surveillance" – essentially monitoring the cancer instead of treating it immediately. At the time, it sounded reasonable. The surgery could be delayed, maybe a year, maybe two years, maybe even five years.
This was the biggest mistake I made. I was thinking the prostate would eventually need to come out, but I could wait. What I didn't understand was that cancer doesn't wait for your convenience.
By the time I decided to move forward with treatment, my cancer had already begun to metastasize. What started as contained, curable cancer had spread beyond the prostate.
The Reality of Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Treatment at Top Medical Centers
The doctors at research hospitals like Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson, Dana Farber, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of California San Francisco and so many prostate cancer research hospitals around the world are doing incredible work. They're developing treatments that help men live with metastatic disease for many years with many living their full life expectancy, but it requires extensive medical treatment.
In addition to eight weeks of targeted radiation, I was treated with hormone therapy called Androgen Deprivation Therapy. The goal is to starve the cancer cells by removing the testosterone they feed on, allowing the radiation to target these cells more easily.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy is important and standard of care for early treatment of metastatic disease, however, the side effects are excruciating. They include weight gain, muscle loss, bone density loss, bone fractures, metabolic disorder with insulin resistance, hot flashes (yes, male hot flashes are real), fatigue, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia (breast enlargement) and other challenging symptoms.
Why Early Detection Changes Everything
Here's the truth about metastatic prostate cancer: it's still considered an incurable disease today. While treatments continue to improve and men are living longer with better quality of life, the key is preventing it from reaching this stage.
When prostate cancer is caught early and the prostate is removed before the cancer spreads outside the prostate , the prognosis is a 99-100 percent chance for cure. Early detection saves lives – it's that simple.
“Early detection saves lives–it's that simple”
Joe Dooley
What I Want Every Man to Know
Know Your PSA Numbers
The most important takeaway from my story is this: you need to know your PSA number and track it over time. Don't just accept "normal" as good enough. Ask for the actual number, write it down, and compare it to your previous tests.
Key PSA Testing Guidelines:
Men over 40 should discuss PSA testing with their doctor
Men with family history, black men, men with the BRCA gene and men with certain family cancer histories should start screening earlier
Any increase in PSA levels warrants closer monitoring
"Normal" ranges vary by age, but trends matter more than single numbers
Risk Factors You Can't Ignore
Understanding your risk factors is crucial for early detection:
Age: Risk increases significantly after age 50
Family History: Especially paternal line prostate cancer
Race: African American men have higher risk and more aggressive disease
Genetic Factors: BRCA mutations and family history of breast cancer and many other cancers
The Importance of Self-Advocacy in Healthcare
One of the most important lessons from my journey is the need for patient self-advocacy. Don't just accept delays in testing or treatment. If something doesn't feel right, push for answers. Ask questions, request second opinions, and stay on top of your healthcare timeline.
Living in Remission: The Ongoing Journey
Today, I'm in remission, but my journey with prostate cancer continues. I undergo regular monitoring, including PET scans, bone scans and blood work to ensure the cancer remains undetectable. PSA levels every three months since late October 2023 when my testosterone returned have been non-detectable, which is encouraging.
The testosterone suppression therapy has been successful in keeping the prostate cancer cells from growing, but it's a delicate balance. When testosterone levels rise, there's always the concern that prostate cancer cells might reactivate.
Why I Share My Story
Turning My Experience Into Action
Fighting prostate cancer has taught me about warning signs that people miss and experiences during treatment that no one talks about. The information I've shared with friends about prostate cancer has already saved lives through early diagnosis and treatment.
This is why I made this my mission – because what I share could save your life too.
A Message for the Women in Our Lives
Men often don't want to talk about prostate cancer, but women can be powerful advocates for the men they love. If you're a woman reading this, please share this information with your husband, father, brothers, and male friends. You could be the one who saves their life by encouraging them to get screened.
Taking Action: What You Can Do Today
Immediate Steps for Men Over 40
Schedule a PSA test if you haven't had one recently
Know your baseline number and track changes over time
Discuss your family history with your healthcare provider
Don't delay follow-up appointments or recommended testing
Advocate for yourself in the healthcare system
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
What is my PSA number, and how does it compare to previous tests?
Based on my age and risk factors, how often should I be screened?
What PSA level would trigger additional testing?
Should I consider genetic testing based on my family history?
The Hope in My Message
While my story includes the challenges of metastatic disease, I want to emphasize the hope. With advances in treatment, many men with prostate cancer live full, normal lives. The key is to catch it early and stay informed about your options.
The doctors and researchers are making incredible progress. Through immunology, radiation therapy, new chemotherapy protocols, and new scanning techniques they're learning how cancer grows and how to combat it more effectively. There is no question–doctors involved in prostate cancer research will continue to find better treatments and hopefully a cure.
My Mission Moving Forward
As a prostate cancer patient and advocate for men's health awareness, my goal is simple: to prevent other men from going through what I experienced. Every man who gets an early diagnosis because of something he learned from my story represents a life potentially saved.
“If there’s one thing you remember: Know your PSA, track increases, and don’t delay. Early detection saves lives.”
Joe Dooley
This is my personal journey with prostate cancer. Every case is different, and treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with qualified healthcare providers. My experience is shared to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and screening.