Category: Health & Wellness | Author: Wendy Flaherty, OverSixtyInsights
Introduction
It’s now been a little over a year since my husband had prostate cancer surgery — and what a journey it’s been. We’ve learned more than we ever expected about medicine, resilience, and faith.
We wanted to share our experience because prostate cancer affects about one in eight men, and yet, when it’s caught early, it has one of the highest survival rates of any cancer.
The facts below come from Northwestern Health Beat (September 2024), written by my husband’s surgeon, Dr. Edward M. Schaeffer, MD, PhD, Chair of Urology at Northwestern Medicine. His expertise — and kindness — made a difficult season so much easier to navigate.
“Although prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, there are great ways to detect it at a curable stage,” says Dr. Schaeffer. “When to begin screening depends on your risk — including age, family history, race, and lifestyle.”
6 Facts About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can be detected early through blood tests screening for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a type of protein found in the prostate. The first step is to have an open dialogue with your clinician to see if prostate cancer screening is appropriate.
Fact No. 1: Prostate cancer can affect men of all ages.
Although risk increases after age 65 or older, more than 35% of those diagnosed each year are diagnosed at an earlier age. Screening for a man at average risk of developing prostate cancer is recommended to begin between the ages of 50 and 55 years. All men should be aware of their risks and, if it runs in their family or if you are of African ancestry, screening should begin around the age of 40 years.
Fact No. 2: Prostate cancer is associated with other cancers.
Research shows that hereditary (or familial) prostate cancer is not only associated with prostate cancer in first degree relatives but also breast cancer, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer. “Individuals with a strong history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and occasionally pancreatic cancer can have genes that increase their risk for developing prostate cancer,” says Dr. Schaeffer.
Fact No. 3: Prostate cancer is not just hereditary.
Men who have a brother or father with prostate cancer are two times as likely to develop the disease. Even so, most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history of it. Other important risk factors include your age, race, physical health and lifestyle.
Fact No. 4: Prostate cancer doesn’t always have symptoms.
Especially in its early stages. Not all men experience symptoms, or symptoms can be mistaken for something else. This makes it important for men to have regular check-ups.
Symptoms may include:
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Painful or burning urination
- Pelvic pain
Fact No. 5: The PSA test doesn’t just look for cancer.
The PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test measures the amount of PSA in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. High levels can indicate inflammation, infection or cancer in the prostate. A prostate biopsy is needed to confirm cancer.
Fact No. 6: Impotence and urinary incontinence are not inevitable side effects
It is true that men may experience erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) immediately after surgery or radiation. However, the risk of these side effects depends on several factors, including the type of prostate cancer treatment, your overall health and the extent of the cancer. Most men will see an improvement within one year.
Our Story
In my husband’s case, his PSA was only slightly elevated, so his doctors monitored him for a year. He had no physical symptoms at all.
But when follow-up tests — including an MRI and biopsy — showed aggressive cancer beginning to spread. We decided on surgery to remove the prostate. I wanted my husband around so we could enjoy our grandchildren together.
We met with both a surgeon and radiologist to explore every treatment path, from radiation and hormone therapy to SEEDS (targeted local radiation). Ultimately, we chose surgery — but I encourage anyone facing this to ask every question and get multiple opinions before deciding.
One year later, we’re grateful and healing.
Recovery isn’t always smooth, but it’s absolutely manageable:
- Incontinence: Strengthening the pelvic floor through Kegel or guided physical therapy is essential.
- Erectile dysfunction: Every recovery looks different. Some men rebound quickly; others need time or medical support. There are many solutions — so don’t lose hope.
There are also private online support groups for men navigating recovery. We didn’t join, but I’ve heard they can be a source of comfort and community.
The Takeaway
Prostate cancer is one of the most curable cancers — if caught early.
Encourage the men in your life to get a PSA test every year, especially if they’re over 50 (or 40 with family history).
What I Know Now is this:
💙 Early detection saves lives.
💙 Support makes all the difference.
💙 No one should ever be embarrassed to talk about it.
💬 Take Action
- Schedule your annual physical and ask about a PSA test.
- If you have a family history of prostate or breast cancer, discuss genetic testing.
- Share this post with a spouse, brother, or friend — it may help them catch something early.