I was diagnosed at age 49 with prostate cancer, had a radical retro.prostatecotomy and recovered full function….

The cancer recurred, and with hormone therapy combined with external beam radiation I am now cancer free (19months post radiation).

Cancer can be defeated, but only thru early detection and care.

Please folks, talk to your Doctor.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer by accident at age 47. I had no symptoms - none what so ever. The PSA test was something that my doctor did when I had routine blood work done - something that I avoided as I have a fear of needles.

I received a call saying that all the blood work was fine - except that my PSA was a little high - 4.58. Now, frankly that meant nothing to me, but I followed orders and visited a urologist. After a routine DRE (digital rectal exam) I was told that there was probably nothing to worry about, but that a biopsy would be in order just to make sure.

The results from the biopsy proved that I had early stages of prostate cancer.

After considering several treatments: Traditional Surgery, Radiation, Proton Radiation, HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) - I elected to have robotic surgery using the DaVinci system.

Outcome: The cancer was contained in the prostate (a benefit of early detection); the prostate was removed; in four weeks I had transferred from NC to Texas for a new job; there have been no side effects - urinary function is controllable and normal as is erectile function.

While for some this might be too personal…I find that living is personal and something that can be cured with early detection is worth personal comments.