9/11 Kentucky Veteran’s Road to Recovery Shattered by Prostate Cancer Diagnosis — But His Family Pulled Him Through It

“It felt like twelve years of trauma and everything else just finally caught up to me. I tried counseling—went through several counselors—but couldn’t find anyone who truly understood.”

Flannery enlisted after the September 11 attacks, driven by a desire to serve. His military career took him to Afghanistan and other combat zones. When he retired in 2014, he began the difficult process of adjusting to civilian life, a transition many veterans struggle with.

“People focus on the service itself, but there’s so much behind it—the support, the aftermath,” he said.

RELATED: A Step-by-Step Guide for Veterans: Seeking Care for Prostate Cancer Through the VA

During that already challenging period, he learned he had prostate cancer. His wife, Kate, says the diagnosis brought a wave of anger and frustration.

Research published in the “Journal of the American Urological Association” shows that one in five U.S. veterans will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. Increasing awareness of routine screening can make a significant difference.

Flannery has started treatment and says his outlook is “good,” though details about his cancer type, stage, and treatment plan have not been publicly shared.

WATCH: Naval Aviator Mike ‘Bing’ Crosby Using His Prostate Cancer Diagnosis to Help Other Veterans with Early Detection.

Popular “Today Show” weatherman Al Roker, a prostate cancer survivor himself, partnered with SurvivorNet to promote early detection—especially among veterans.

“SurvivorNet has created a prostate cancer resource tailored specifically to help and support veterans who are going through a prostate cancer journey,” Roker said in a video message.

“Veterans Prostate Cancer Awareness is dedicated to saving lives through awareness, early detection, and education…Remember, awareness saves lives.”

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 16,000 veterans are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, making it the most common solid tumor cancer among U.S. veterans.

Prostate Cancer Screening and Warning Signs

When you do get screened for prostate cancer, your doctor will run a few tests.

One of the tests is the PSA test, a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for more significant amounts of protein-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. An elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer. It could also reflect that your prostate is enlarged, which is common, or it could signal an infection or inflammation.

Your doctor may also conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your prostate for lumps.

Depending on the results of these tests, imaging scans and a biopsy may be ordered.

WATCH: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment

Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men at average risk between the ages of 55 and 69 years talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men at age 50 who are at average risk should begin screening. Men who are at high risk of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 40. Men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider annual screenings in their 30s.

SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether and when to screen.

Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

• Urinating more often
• Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
• Blood in your urine
• Trouble getting an erection
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

If You’re Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer, What to Expect for Treatment?

After testing and establishing your risk, your doctor will discuss possible treatment options. These may range from active surveillance to more aggressive options, including surgery and radiation therapy.

WATCH: Coping emotionally after a prostate cancer diagnosis

Surgery is an option for men with any risk group of prostate cancer that hasn’t spread outside of the prostate gland. The type of surgery most often used is called a radical prostatectomy.

During the procedure, the surgeon removes the entire prostate, along with some tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles that release fluid into the semen. Your doctor can perform this through a traditional open procedure with one large or several small incisions, called laparoscopic surgery.

WATCH: Sexual Function Recovery After Prostate Cancer Surgery

Surgery side effects may include erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Fortunately, the side effects are usually temporary, and there are ways to help you manage them.

“Erectile function is so sensitive when we’re dealing with prostate cancer because the nerves that are critical for this function wrap around the prostate; they’re just so intimately connected to the prostate that they can be damaged from a surgical removal of the prostate or through radiation treatment,” Dr. Isla Garraway, a staff urologist in the Veterans Administration (VA) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, told SurvivorNet.

Doctors often recommend sexual counseling after prostate cancer treatment to help improve sexual function. This approach actively addresses the psychological, emotional, and relationship impacts on sexual health.

Radiation therapy is often done when prostate cancer is caught early and confined to the prostate gland.

Preparing for Prostate Cancer Surgery

Prostate cancer surgery is a highly effective treatment for many men with localized disease. The goal is to remove the prostate gland and surrounding tissues (such as the seminal vesicles) to eliminate cancer. This procedure is called a radical prostatectomy.

“The robot has really revolutionized our ability to operate in that small space, to be able to apply fine dissection, tremor, less movements of the hands to dissect these nerves off of the prostate, and at the same time, suture the bladder back to the urethra after the prostate is removed,” Dr. Randall Lee, a urologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, tells SurvivorNet.

“Historically, with open surgery … one of the big risks of that was leakage of urine at that connection site. Nowadays, that is less of a concern with the ability to visualize that area in the pelvis.”

WATCH: Robotic Surgery Vs. Open Prostate Surgery For Prostate Cancer

More on Robotic Prostatectomy

A robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a robotic surgical system, such as the da Vinci Surgical System. The surgeon operates from a console, controlling robotic arms that hold surgical instruments and a high-definition 3D camera.

Tiny incisions (usually 5-6) are made in the lower abdomen to insert the instruments. The robotic system translates the surgeon’s hand movements into precise actions inside the patient’s body. The camera provides magnified views that help in identifying nerves and structures crucial to continence (bladder and bowel control) and sexual function.

Both types of prostate cancer surgeries [robotic and open surgery] carry the same general risks, including bleeding, infection, and complications related to anesthesia. However, functional outcomes, particularly urinary continence and erectile function, are of major concern for most patients.

Most men experience some degree of incontinence initially. Robotic surgery may lead to a quicker return to continence due to better precision in preserving structures around the urethra. Long-term incontinence rates are similar between the two methods with experienced surgeons.

Nerve-sparing techniques can help preserve erectile function in eligible patients. Robotic surgery may offer a better chance at nerve preservation, though outcomes depend largely on the patient’s preoperative function and cancer location. Full recovery of sexual function can take months or more than a year.

Helping More Men Beat the Odds

Hosted by NFL legend Emmitt Smith — who was inspired to speak out after his own father’s battle with prostate cancer — “Men Beating The Odds” is an uplifting series that commemorates the strength and resilience of men confronted with this disease.

From NBA Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning to everyday heroes such as veterans, business owners, and a NASA doctor, the series highlights powerful stories of courage and transformation and underscores the need for greater awareness of the disease in underserved communities. Prostate cancer impacts 1 in 8 men in the U.S., and these stories highlight the power of community and shared strength.

“This is about honoring strength and encouraging men to speak up,” says Emmitt Smith.

“These stories show that even after a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer, life can be full of purpose, power, and new possibilities.”

Questions for Your Doctor

If you have experienced symptoms associated with prostate cancer or have a screening coming up, here are some questions you may ask your doctor:

• If I had elevated PSA levels, what could be causing that besides cancer?
• How long will it take to learn if my PSA levels warrant further testing?
• What are the treatment options that are best suited for me based on my risk level?
• What financial resources exist to help me with the costs associated with treatment?
• How long will my potential treatment prevent me from working or continuing normal activities?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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