An Actor's Battle Behind the Big Screen
- British actor Colin McFarlane, 61, is encouraging other men to overcome hesitancy when it comes to checking for prostate cancer. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer after undergoing a routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This test measures the level of PSA in the blood, and higher levels can indicate cancer.
- He said he caught it early, it is low risk (slow growing), and he is being monitored (an approach called active surveillance).
- Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men that begins in the prostate gland.
- Most prostate cancer is caught with screening examinations, and treatment is based on whether the cancer is "low risk," "intermediate risk" or "high risk."
- Patients are encouraged to talk with their doctor about their risk level and how their daily life may be affected by the treatment options recommended.
"Batman" star Colin McFarlane, 61, wants men hesitant about going to the doctor for routine check-ups to get over whatever is stopping them. While sharing his own prostate cancer experience, he notes that the cancer is among the most common cancers in men other than skin cancer. He calls prostate cancer a "silent killer," but fortunately, it's highly curable especially if it's caught early.
"I still flip between being quite relaxed about it and then being slightly concerned about it if I ever have to have treatment," McFarlane said U.K.-based outlet The Mirror reported.
Read MoreView this post on InstagramMcFarlane is a long-time British actor who has been a voice actor for several children's cartoons. He is also known for his roles in "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," and "Crawl."
Off-screen, he is being monitored in an approach called active surveillance for his prostate cancer. He says he started undergoing regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests eight years ago.
A PSA test is a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for larger 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.
"I still didn't have any symptoms, but the MRI showed a 30 percent chance of cancer, so they said, 'We'll do a biopsy and let you know what we find.' I got diagnosed in December 2022, on my mom's birthday," McFarlane said of his diagnosis.
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His urologist told him the cancer, "couldn't have (been) spotted it earlier." This is because prostate cancer often grows slowly and may not be aggressive. McFarlane was considered "low risk" meaning treatment may not be necessary and only active surveillance is needed. This kind of surveillance involves regular testing every six months to monitor the prostate and check for any progression of the disease.
"I was also told I wouldn't need any treatment for 10 to 15 years, if at all. They said they would do a PSA test every three months and an MRI once a year and I was sent home, still in a bit of a haze," McFarlane said.
He said his treatment does not involve chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These forms of treatment are aimed at killing cancer cells either through oral or intravenous drugs (chemo) or using high-energy beams like X-rays aimed at the cancer cells (radiotherapy).
McFarlane says since his diagnosis, he's focused on living a healthier lifestyle filled with eating a balanced diet and exercise.
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"I'm eating lots of cooked tomatoes, which contain prostate-friendly lycopene, and taking the herbal supplement saw palmetto, which I take as drops two times a day. It is thought to help stop the prostate getting enlarged," the actor described.
He hopes by shining a light on prostate cancer awareness and prevention, he can encourage other men to talk to their doctor about their individual prostate cancer risks. When caught early and treated, the 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer is "97%" according to the National Cancer Institute.
"[Men usually] don't go to the doctor unless they're in pain. It's [prostate cancer] a silent killer, but it can be monitored and treated. A simple blood test could save lives," McFarlane said.
The "Dark Knight" actor revealed his PSA levels have remained stable and his cancer is contained within the prostate.
What to Know About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer starts in the walnut-shaped prostate gland, which is located between the rectum and bladder and produces the fluid that nourishes sperm.
Most prostate cancer is caught with screening examinations.
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 be more aggressive, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.
The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends men at average risk between the ages of 55-69 years old should talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening. Most doctors agree that men over the age of 70 do not need screening.
SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether, and when, to screen.
WATCH: The rate of advanced prostate cancer has gone up since federal recommendations began urging men not to get PSA tests unless they had a certain risk level.
How Is Prostate Cancer Screened?
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 larger 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
After tests are conducted, your doctor analyzes the results to give you a Gleason Score. This score ranges from 6 to 10. The higher the score, the more aggressive the cancer.
This score, along with your other test results, helps doctors determine if your cancer is "low risk," "intermediate risk," or "high risk."
More on Prostate Cancer
- 1 Important Question Every Prostate Cancer Patient Getting Radiation Should Ask Their Doctor
- After Diagnosis: Tips For Getting Through The Next Steps From A Stage 4 Prostate Cancer Survivor
- An Overview of Prostate Cancer Surgery
- Can Fat Thighs Give You Cancer? Study Links Certain Kinds of Obesity And Aggressive Prostate Cancer
- Considering Chemotherapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer
- Could A Urine Test Be The Future of Prostate Cancer Screening? Leading Experts Weigh In
Symptoms Often Associated With Prostate Cancer
It might sound odd, but paying attention to the way you urinate can help you know when to seek help. Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Peeing 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
Treating Prostate Cancer
After testing and your risk has been established, your doctor will discuss possible treatment options. Treatment ranges from "active surveillance" usually for men with low-risk prostate cancer. This involves regular testing every six months to monitor the prostate and check for any progression of the disease.
More aggressive treatment options include surgery and radiation therapy.
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 incision or several small incisions called laparoscopic 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.
Radiation therapy is often done when prostate cancer is caught early and confined to the prostate gland.
WATCH: Adjusting to Your New Normal After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
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 have 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?
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