‘Nothing to be ashamed of’: Prostate cancer survivors share stories, urge Alabama men to get tested
HOMEWOOD, Ala. —
A prostate cancer diagnosis did not silence the survivors who gathered in Homewood Wednesday night. It gave them a reason to speak louder. The Mike Slive Foundation brought together survivors and community members for a candid conversation about prostate cancer, screening and the misconceptions that can keep men from visiting their doctors.
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among American men. Roughly one in eight men will be diagnosed during his lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. The risk is even higher for Black men at about one in six. Harris said openly discussing the disease can help men overcome the fear, embarrassment and stigma surrounding prostate cancer.
“It’s a message that needs to get out,” Harris said. “It’s stories that we need to share because there’s nothing to be ashamed of … Either you do whatever you have to do to take care of what you have, or you leave it to folks to plan for you not to be there. For me, there was no there was no choice. If my doctor told me to bend over, ‘How far you want me to bend over? You want some blood? How much blood do you want?’ That’s what I’m supposed to do, and that’s what I did.”
Journalist Roy Johnson was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. After spending his career telling other people’s stories, he said his diagnosis compelled him to share his own. Johnson said early detection is critical and encourages men to discuss PSA testing during annual checkups.
“When you hear your name and cancer in the same sentence, it can be frightening,” Johnson said. “Our brothers are just really afraid of the impact of the effects of not just the cancer, but also the treatment. Let’s be honest. They’re afraid of the impact of sex. One of the things I tell men is the great way to have a terrible sex life is to be dead. I would rather have a test where to find out about this enemy that I have to fight and get it treated rather than go untreated and have an absolute guarantee of having a terrible sex life.”
Screening can begin with a blood test
Harris said outdated assumptions about prostate cancer screenings can keep some men out of the doctor’s office. Screening typically starts with a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test. Depending on a patient’s circumstances, a healthcare provider may recommend additional exams.
Johnson encourages men to get a PSA test during their yearly checkups. Tracking PSA levels over time can help doctors see changes that may need to be looked at more carefully.
Screening recommendations vary based on age, family history and other risk factors. Men should talk to a doctor about when screening may be needed, especially if they are Black or have a close relative who was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Survival rates vary significantly depending on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis, which makes timely screenings and follow-up care especially important.