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- Prostate Cancer Survivor- Bruce Nevin
Prostate Cancer Survivor- Bruce Nevin
I am a Prostate Cancer Survivor. PCa runs in my family. My 91-year-old father is also a Prostate Cancer Survivor. As a result of his diagnosis and subsequent treatment, my primary care physician began annual PSA screening when I turned 40. At 50, we started to notice slight rises in the numbers, but nothing alarming.
In 2017, the warning lights went on as my PSA eclipsed the 4.0 reading at 4.4. He suggested immediately meeting with a urologist for further evaluation and biopsy. The results from the biopsy samples indicated a small lesion that was positive for PCa.
Further genomic testing of the samples indicated it was likely to be a slow-growing formation. Combined with a Gleason score of 3+3=6, the decision was made to pursue active surveillance through additional biopsies and PSA monitoring.
A word about the biopsies – THEY SUCK, physically. IF you can, have the doctor sedate you and have it be an MRI-guided one through the perineum. The results are more reliable, possible infection is minimized, and no to minimal pain. Insurance may be a driving force in how this is completed.
Due to insurance changes and my personal feeling that I was not being treated by the specialists adequately, I changed physicians 3 times. Be your own advocate! Do your own research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Try not to be embarrassed, as we’re referring to the male reproductive system. Please don’t let that impede monitoring and treatment.
There are a variety of treatment options and I explored each as they have their pros and cons, risks and benefits. After my final biopsy (MRI guided – perineum) my urologist determined that part of the lesion (tumor) was showing signs of becoming a more aggressive form of the PCa, one that would be more likely to metastasize. I don’t know if the ultrasound-guided biopsy would have picked this up. That was in June of ’23.
In November of ’23 I had a radical prostatectomy using robotic assistance (DaVinci machine). One night in the hospital, followed by 10 days with a catheter, and treatment was over. The surgeon checked the margins throughout the procedure until he was certain there was no evidence of the PCa left behind.
Prostate Surgery | Robotic prostatectomy Procedure | 3D Animation
Regular PSA tests have shown no evidence that the cancer has remained. No major long-term issues stemming from the surgery. I work out most days and maintain a mostly healthy lifestyle.
Get checked past age 40 if it runs in your family. Do this annually. Catching it early is a game-changer! Let your doctor know if you have any changes in urinary or reproductive patterns/anatomy.
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Bruce Nevin- Prostate Cancer Survivor
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