A Veteran's Journey Through Prostate Cancer
- A 31-year National Guard veteran was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test found he had elevated PSA in his blood. Higher levels can indicate cancer, but further tests help confirm a diagnosis.
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. 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 the recommended treatment options may affect their daily lives.
“I ended up with a diagnosis of prostate cancer,” Driscoll told SurvivorNet.
“My wife said, ‘Do I need to come back with you?’” I said, ‘Well, that depends. If it comes back clear, then no, I think I can safely walk out the door. But if it comes back positive, I think I’m not going to hear anything past, ‘You have cancer.’”
Driscoll’s test results returned positive. He had a Gleason 4 plus 3. The Gleason 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.”
WATCH: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment
“I didn’t hear much after the words, you have prostate cancer, but did process some things because it’s a punch to the gut, no pun intended,” Driscoll said.
Among his worries were the side effects of treatment, which can include incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
“No matter what treatment you get, there’s an ED quality, and that obviously affects not only you but your partner,” Driscoll said.
Fortunately, his wife was incredibly supportive and understanding. She told him, “I want you to be here for me and the family; I don’t care what side effects you have. That, we’ll figure that part out. The most important thing is that you’re here.”
Fortunately for Driscoll, his follow-up tests came back clear after undergoing treatment. He’s still adjusting to calling himself a cancer survivor.
“You keep throwing things at me; I’m going to knock them out of the way,” he said.
“Men don’t like to talk about anything between their belly button and their knee. They’ll talk about their hips and their knees and how bad they are and how bad they hurt, but anything down in that area men do not like to talk about,” Driscoll added.
He urges his fellow service members who hear his story to take ownership of their health and stressed that early detection is critical.
“I’m a four-year post-cancer survivor to this point, and I feel as good as I did before I had my prostate removed,” he said.
Expert Resources on Prostate Cancer Screening
What to Know About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It starts in the walnut-shaped prostate gland between the rectum and bladder, producing 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 more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.
The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends that 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.
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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