This is a kick off to the many stories we will feature for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The story is based on factual events, however the names have been changed to protect the actual event that occurred. If you have a story you want to submit, you can use your name or we can create a scenario for you.

It is so important as men to get tested and raise awareness that may save so many men’s lives. Because a lot of young men under 50 are catching this potentially deadly disease and do not even know they have it. Please insist on getting tested today, a PSA test is the only way to monitor your prostate health, before it gets worse and start to effect other parts of your body.

Paul’s story

One morning, I woke up completely soaked, and my wife Emily pushed me, yelling, “Why did you pee in the bed?” I was taken aback and said, “What are you talking about? I didn’t pee in the bed.” Then it hit me—she was still upset from a recent argument, and I remembered that I had been feeling off lately. A few days earlier, I had experienced an episode of erectile dysfunction, which only lasted briefly, but I sensed something was wrong.

My doctor had been urging me to get a prostate exam, but I kept ignoring him. This all came to mind after I slipped and fell on the icy winter sidewalk last year, which spiked my blood pressure. My wife Emily never knew about the doctor’s recommendation. As men, we often know that when the doctor suggests something, it’s because they see signs in our bloodwork or suspect something isn’t right. I was aware, especially since both my father and stepfather had died of prostate cancer. My mom, Sue, has been left alone and depressed ever since.

PSA

So, I told Emily that it wasn’t pee, but cold sweat, and I suspected my PSA level was high. We decided to see a urologist after my blood test confirmed my PSA was over 0.09. The urologist ordered an MRI, and I felt terrified. Jake, and his wife also came to visit us in St. Louis to support. Looking into Jake’s handsome face, I could see that he was worried. He’s lost two grandfathers—my wife’s father is still alive—and his paternal grandmother has turned her focus to church. Still, I needed to be here to see him have children and, hopefully, grandchildren someday.

The Career

I was only 49, and Emily was 45. And I wasn’t ready to leave this world yet. My career as a popular stockbroker at one of downtown St. Louis’s premier financial firms, with the Gateway Arch visible from the breakroom window. Sadness crept in.

I remember feeling the tears welling up as I saw the MRI results on MyChart—five suspicious lesions on my left prostate. I wanted to run out of the Center for Advanced Medicine and get hit by a passing semi-truck. After a nerve-wracking biopsy, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 prostate cancer. Those cold sweats had been a warning sign, quickening my fear.

Treatment

Now, I face radiation and chemotherapy. My doctors say it’s not the end of the world, but I can’t help but think about the two strong men I’ve lost to this disease. By the way, my stepfather was also my uncle—my mom married him shortly after my dad passed away. That’s a story I’d rather not get into.

My name is Paul. If any fellow men in Missouri read this, I hope you get that PSA test done. It might save your life.

Paul is now doing quite well after his treatment; he chose not to undergo surgery. Fortunately, years later, he remains healthy thanks to a team of medical professionals who encouraged him to seek help. But what about the other men who decided to ignore the warnings? You kind of feel for those single men without a partner at home to motivate them to seek help? And what about men who are simply afraid of doctors or lack the resources to get a check-up?

More from CDC:

Why prostate cancer can be found late

1. There may be no warning signsEarly prostate cancer commonly causes no urinary problems, pain, or sexual symptoms. A man can feel completely healthy while cancer is developing. By the time symptoms such as bone, back, hip or pelvic pain occur, the disease may already have progressed. Cancer.gov
2. PSA isn’t a perfect testPSA can help detect prostate cancer, but it can also be elevated from an enlarged prostate, inflammation, infection and other causes. Conversely, a man can have prostate cancer despite a PSA that doesn’t look particularly alarming. CDC
3. Some prostate cancers are biologically aggressiveNot every prostate cancer behaves the same way. Some tumors grow and spread much faster than the typical slow-growing prostate cancer. In those cases, cancer can progress before it is detected through routine testing.
4. Screening isn’t automatic for every manUnlike some other cancers, there isn’t a single universal screening schedule that applies to every man. Doctors consider age, family history, race, overall health and the potential benefits and harms of PSA testing when discussing screening. CDC
5. A man may not have regular medical careIf someone doesn’t have routine checkups or doesn’t get PSA testing when appropriate for his risk profile, an otherwise silent cancer can go undetected for longer.
6. Family and genetic risk can matterHaving a father, brother or son with prostate cancer increases risk. Certain inherited mutations, including BRCA1/BRCA2 and Lynch syndrome, can also increase risk. Cancer.gov

There is also an important issue for Black men

This deserves particular attention because Black/African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer at a younger age, have more advanced disease when diagnosed, and die from it than other men. CDC data identify race, family history and age as important risk considerations. CDC

That doesn’t mean that being Black causes advanced prostate cancer. Researchers believe the disparity reflects a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, socioeconomic and healthcare-access factors.

In conclusion, this information is intended to raise awareness and should not be used as a diagnosis. Each individual’s condition is unique, and it is important to consult a qualified oncologist for a comprehensive evaluation.